The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-14
JEFFERSON'S BIRTHDAY
 IS FITTINGLY OBSERVED

ShicdSo, April 13.-Ways and means to bring to the democratic party success in the Presidential campaign this fall was discussed by prominent democrats repre- senting every part of the country who at tended the Iroquois club banquet at the auditorium tonight in celebration of Jeff ferson's birthday. Tariff reform, antagon- ism to the trusts, independence for the Philippines and every good economy in public expenditures were some of the sug- gestions offered by the speakers to bring about this result. A feature of the ban quet was a letter from Grover Cleve- land, who had been invited to attend, but who was unable to be present In his letter, which was read to the banouet- ters, Mir Cleveland advised all demo- crats to make a close study of Jefferson's s career, and periodically seek the well fare of our country through the ascend- ency of safe and sane democracy"
 When Stephen S. Gregory. the toastmas- ter of the evening introduced Gen. Nell son A. Miles, the five hundred banquet- ters rose in body and greeted the for mer head ot the United States army with enthusiasm. General Miles, In his response to the toast Our Country" made hforcibe argument against imperialism, and his words met the approval of the audience
 The next speaker introduced was Uni ted States Senator Edward w Carmack Of Tennessee, who took for his theme Thomas Jefferson"
 The Democratic Party" was the sub Ject discussed by Adlai E. Stevenson former vice-president of the United States. MT. Stevenson pleaded for a uni ted democratic party and the living is- sues in the platform at the St. Louis con- vention.
 The next speaker was Governor L. F. c. Garvin of Rhode Island He responded 10 the toast, Democratic Success"
 Letter From Cleveland Read.
 When Governor Garvin had finished, Toastmaster Gregory read a letter from ex-President Grover Cleveland, who ex- pressed deep regret at not being able to be present at the banquet MT. Cleve- lands letter was as follows: Princeton, N. J., March 2S. 1904 MT. Orya G. Wildham,
 Iroquois Club, Chicago
 Dear Sir; l very much regret the ne- cessity which compels me to decline your courteous invitation to attend the cele- Dratton of Jeffersons birthday under the auspices of the Iroquois club It is es- peclally fitting at this time of confusion In political ideas and misaprpehension as to the meaning of true democracy that the character of the great exemplar of democracy should be fully appreciated and that his political opinions should be better interpreted and understood His devotion to the interests of the people his wise conservatism and his constant adherence tO ha Ita aTx tJ guiding star of his career, commend his acts and his beliefs to the careful study Of those who in these days periodically seek the welfare of our country through the ascendency of safe and sane democ- racy.
 Trusting that the celebration of the birthday of this great leader will prove to be a source of pleasure and profit to those who participate. I am,
 Very truly yours,
 GROVER CLEVELAND. The next speaker, Martin w. Little ton of New York who took for his sub ject ''The Empire state, the hope of de- mocracy." declared that if a platform along the lines suggested by some of the other speakers was adopted and Judge Alton B. Parker of New York, selected as a leader. the democratic party was bound to triumph in the coming elec- ton.
 Bryan Voices His Sentiments. The following letter was received from William J. Bryan.
 Lincoln, Neb.. April !, 1904 Mr. Andrew J. Ryan, Chicago
 My Dear Sir: I am just in receipt of your invitation to attend the twenty third annual banquet of the Iroquois club to be held on the 18th instant I thank you for the invitation. and regret to say that I shall moi he able q attand trust, however, that those present will take advantage of the occasion to pre- sent the country the importance of main- taining democratic principles as they were set forth in the platform of 1896 and 1900. The merger decision shows how closely the supreme court is divided and how easy it is for those who sympathze with corporate wealth to find plausible reasons for staying the hand of govern ment when 1t attempts to rebuke those who exploit the people.
 "Under our constitution the President appoints judges and those who have watched the details in the Hayes-Til contest In the income tax eases, in the trust cases and in the cases involving the policy of the government in the Philip pines, cannot doubt that 1t Is an impor- tant to have judges who sympathize with the people as it is to have judges learned in the law.
 Tn the political struggle between plu- tocracy and democracy the corporations are seeking to control the supreme court, and if they can do that the house of rep resentatives the senate and the President are powerless to protect the people. trust that those who are honored with an invitation to speak at your banquet will raise a note of warning against the attempt now being made by the money magnets to control the democratic con- yention and to secure the nomination of A democratic candidate who will be oh- ligated in advance not to betray the hopes of the democratic masses. Yours very truly, w. J. BRYAN. letter was also read from the Hon. John s. Williams of Mississippi, demo- cratic leader of the national house of rep resentatives.
 Senator CuIberson Speaks. National Morality" was the subject dis cussed by United States Senator Charles A. Culberson of Texas. Senator Culberson said:
 As the first secretary of state under the constitution Thomas Jefferson laid the foundation of American diplomacy. Al though menanced by hostile environments and embarrassed by selfish consider ations, he so conducted the first great diplomatic controversy as to maintain the public faith unsullied and establish an advanced standard of conduct for all na- tions. On an occasion when the anniver- sary of the birth of this great states man and philosopher Is celebrated, and in times when national honor Is tarn- s.L.l t.., ,>oyitioof ambition and conmer-