The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-04-24
AN APPEAL TO DEMOCRATS
The Principles of Thomas JEFF
ferson arc Equal to the Prob
lens of To-Day.

The Principles Of Thomas Jcf
7 fcrson arc Equal to the Prob
lens Of To-Day.
Thomas Jetrerson's birthday. 14t
of April, was the occasion of notabl
gathering of Democrats in New Yor
City, under the auspices of the Demo
cratic Club, which c0mmemorated tn
day with reception at its club house
IL was intended as a peace and unit,
meeting, an effort to harmonize tn,
discordant clements of New Yorl
Democracy.
David Is. Hill, who had not visited
the club for q number of years, was the
chief orator of the evening, and in hi.
speech he called upon Democrats te
unite in harmony. Perry Belmont
whose differences with Mr.. Bryan and
MIR. Croker have kept him away from
the club for three years, was also
there.
Lewis Nixon, the new leader of
Iammany Hall, introduced The speak.
or. Mr.. Hill, among others things,
spoke of the combinations of capital
He said:
"One of the great problems which
is now presented to the people for
| their solution is how shall Jeffcrson's
! sentiments be utilized for the prevcn-
ton of the evils which he forcshadow.
ed? 1t is not question for political
Jugglery. 1t Is not question to be
lightly dismissed. 1t is an elementary
proposition which the wisdom of ex-
perienccs has abundanty confirmed
and which, even in these days of un-
paralleled business combinations and
speculations, ought not to be disputed,
that whatever tends to create q mo-
nopcly and prevent legitimate compe-
tltlon between those engaged in a
business impressed with a public or
qussl:public character, Is opposed to a
sound public policy.
"It is perhaps difficult to predict
how Jefferson, if he were alive today,
would meet the difficulties which we
encounter, We venture to suggest
that he would insist upon some reason
able limitation upon the amount Of
corporate capital which might be in
Vested in single corporation.
Jcffcrson's teachings might sug-
gest limitation upon the amount of
the dividends which could be lawfully
declared or upon the profits which
could be legally accumulated by these
tremendous business organizations, or
he might demand that the govern
ment, in justice TO its over-burlened
taxpayers, should withdraw it's tariff
from the infant industries represented
by these institutions, whose projectors
are already rolling in wealth and are
astonishing the world by the muniii-
cence by their private benefactions.
we may well believe that Jeffcr-
son, who was equal to every emerg-
ency IN the early history of our coun-
try, would, if he were in power, find
some appropriate and adequate remedy
to curb the rapaclty and restrict the
dangerous power of these gigantic COM
binatlons."
On the subject of colonial extension
Mr.. Hill said:
1T is safe TO believe that jefferson
would never have favored an cxpan-
sion of our jurisdiction which did not
carry with it the provisions of our con-
stitution, TO which he was dcvotcdly
attached, and which he defended so
vigorously with his voice and pen.
He would unquestionably have viewed
with abhorrence the establishment of
a permanent American colonial sys-
tenn, whether continued under military
rule or under civil authority appointed
by the central government at Wash
ington. His theory was unquestiona-
bly, the Democratic doctrine of today
that this government has no more
authority to create permanent CO.
lonial system than it has the right to
create king.
Jefferson, as the friend of popular
rights, favored o provision in the Fed
eral constitution for the election Of
United States Senators Ey tho people
OF the respective States, but tempo
rarly yielded his views rather than i'm
peril the adoption of that instrument.
Jefferson believed in honest men,
in honest methods and in honest gov
ernment. He would have uprootcd
corruption had it existed in either ma
ton, State or municipality.
"These considerations naturally
lead to the suggestion that il is pccu-
liarly our duty, as it should be our
pleasure, at the present time, to invite
Democrats Of character, standing and
influence to identify themselves with
organized movements for party sue
CESS, for the promotion of the true
principles of Jeffersonian Democracy
and the elevations of the standards of
the public service.
Why divide on questionable utter
ances OF modern party platforms, large
ly designed to meet temporary cmergen-
cies which soon pass away, when we
arc all united upon tho rock bottom
and fundamental doctrines of our
faith intended to last as long aa our
government itself shall endure?
"Why should there be fac
tional quarrcls over details when we
are all united upon essentials?
I" 1t is the part of wisdom for the
Democracy to push to the front the is-
sues upon which there is substantial
unanlmity, and ignore those in regard
to which there arc such serious and
honest differences of opinion as must
be fatal TO practical success.
| "Thc administration OF President
Roosevelt is all at sea. 1t has no
! fyo1sp poli pina opI no o,,oo;opI;o,,o ,o,