The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-04-23
AN APPEAL TO DEMOCRATS
The Principles of Thomas JEFF
ferson are Equal to the Prob
lens of To-Day.

The Principles of Thomas JET
r ferson are Equal to the Prot
lens of To-Day.
Thomas Jefferson'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 commemorated th
day with a reception at it's club house
1t was intended as peace and unit
meeting, an effort to harmonize tn
discOrdant elements, of New Yor
Democracy.
| David b. Hill, who had not visite
the club for number of years, was tn
chief orator of the evening, and in hi
speech he called upon Democrats t
unite in harmony. Perry Belmont
whose differences with Mr.. Bryan ant
Mr.. Croker have kept him away from
the club for three years, was als'
there.
Lewis Nixon, the new leader O.
Tammany Hall, introduced the speak
er. Mr.. Hill, among others things
spoke of the combinations of capital
He said:
Gone of the great problems which
their solution is how shall Jefferson's
sentiments be utilized for the preven.
tion of the evils which he foreshadow
ed2 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-
periences has abundantly 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-
nopoly and prevent legitimate compe-
tition between those engaged in q
business impressed with public or
qussl.public character, Is opposed to a
sound public policy.
cit 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
v sted in single corporation.
Jefferson'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-burtlened
taxpayers, should withdraw its tariff
from the infant industries represented
by these institutions, whose projectors
are already rolling in wealth and are
astonishing the world by the munif.
cence by their private benefactions.
I" We may we'll believe that Jeffer-
son, who was equal to every emerg-
ency in the early history of our coun-
try, would, il he were in power, find
some appropriate and adequate remedy
to curb the rapaclty and restrict the
dangerous power of these gigantic COM
On the subject of colonial extension
Mr.. Hill said:
"It is safe to believe that Jefferson
would never have favored an expan-
sion of our jurisdiction which did not
carry with it the provisions of our Con-
stitutiOn, 10 which he was devotedly
and which he defended so
with his voice and pen.
He would unquestionably have viewed
with abhorrence the establishment of
q 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 q permanent CO.
lonial system than it has the right to
create king.
Jefferson, as the friend Of popular
rights, favored q provision in the Fed
eral ohstitution for the election Of
Uni States Senators by the people
of . respective States, but tempo
rarlly yielded his views rather than inn
peril the adoption of that instrument.
"Jefferson believed in honest men,
in honest methods and in honest gov
ernment. He would have uproOted
corruption had IL existed in either ma
tion, State or municipality.
"These considerations naturally
lead to the suggestion that it is pecu-
liarly our duty, as 1t 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 emergen-
cies which soon pass away, when we
are all united upon the rock bottom
and fundamental doctrines of our
faith intended to last as long az our
government itself shall endure?
"Why should there be fac
tionsl quarrels over details when we
are all united upon essentials?
"It is the part of wisdom for the
Democracy to push to the front the is.
sues upon which there is substantial
unanimity, and ignore those in regard
TO which there are such serious and
honest differences of opinion as muet
be fatal 10 practical success.
"The administration OF President
Roosevelt is all at sea. II has NO
fixed:policies and nc. conscientious con
victions.
elf any relief whatever to Cubs
shall be secured from the present Ad
ministration 1T will be due to the de
cided stand taken by tho Democrat.