The San Francisco call., 1904-04-14
BRAVES TALK
OF CAMP AICN
Prominent Democrats Dis
cuss Politics at the Iro-
quois Banquet in Chicago

CHICAGO, April 13.-Ways and
means to bring success to the Demo-
cratic party in the Presidential cam
paign this fall were discussed by prom
inent Democrats, representing every
part of the country at the Iroquois
Club banquet at the Auditorium to-
night in celebration of Jefferson's birth
day. Tariff reform, antagonism to
trusts. independence for the Philip
pines and rigid economy in public ex-
penditures were some of the sugges-
tions offered by the speakers to bring
banquet was the following letter from
Grover Cleveland, who had been in
vited to attend, but was unable to be
present:
1 very much regret the necessity which
compels me to decline your courteous invita-
tion to attend the celebration OF Jeffersons
bthday under the auspices of the Iroquois
Club. Il is especially fitting at this time of
confusion in political ideas and misapprehen-
sion 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 conserv-
atism. and his constant adherence to the
public good, always the guiding star of his
career, commend his acts and his beliefs to
the careful study OF those who in these days
through the ascendency OF safe and De-
mocracy.
Trusting the celebration of the birthday of
this great leader will prove to be both
source Of pleasure and profit to those who
participate 1 am very truly yours;
GROVER CLEVELAND.
When the POSTMASTER introduced
General Nelson A. Miles the banquet
ers rose in body and greeted the for
mer head of the army with enthusi-
asm. General Miles. in his response
to the toast, Our Country made a
forcible argument against imperialism
United States Senator Carmack of
Tennessee took for his theme Thomas
Jefferson"
The Democratic party" was the
subject discussed by Adlai E. Steven
son. former Vice President of the
United States. Mr.. Stevenson pleaded
for a united party and the adoption of
living issues in the platform at the
st. Louis convention.
Governor L. T. c. Garvin of Rhode
Island responded to the toast of
Democratic Success.
Martin w. Littleton of New York.
who took for his subject "The Empire
State, the Hope of Democracy" de-
clared that if a platform along the
lines suggested by some of the other
speakers was adopted and Judge Par
ker selected as a leader. the Demo-
cratic party was bound to triumph in
the coming election.
The following letter from William ].
Bryan was read, dated Lincoln, Neb.
April z
1 thank you for the invitation and regret N
say that 1 shall not be able to attend. / trust
however. that those present will take ad-
vantage Of the occasion to present to the
country the choice of Importance of maintain
ing Democratic principles as they were set
forth in the platforms OF 1896 and 1900.
el.
Supreme Court is riveted and how easy II is
for those who sympathize with corporate wealth
of government when it attempts to rebuke
those who exploit the people. Under our con-
stitution the President appoints Judges, and
those who have watched the decisions in the
Hayes-Tilden contest. in the income tax cases.
in the trust cases and in the cases involving
the policy of the Government in the Philip
pines cannot doubt that II IS as important to
have Judges who sympathize with the people
as to have Judges learned In the law.
In tie present struggle between plutocracy
and Democracy the corporations are seeking
to control the supreme Court and If they can
do that the House OF Representatives the Sem
ate and the President are powerless to protect
the people.
invitation to speak at your banquet will raise
a note of warning against the attempt now
the Democratic convention and TO secure the
nomination of a Democratic candidate who will
be obligated in advance to betray the hopes of
the Democratic masses. Very truly yours,
WILLIAM ]. BRYAN.
A letter also was read from John S.
Williams of Mississippi, Democratic
leader of the National House of Rep
resentatives.
National Morality was the subject
discussed by United States Senator
Culberson of Texas.
William f. Villas of Wisconsin, former
Postmaster General, responded to the
toast Faith and Hope"
At this point letter was read from
Franklin K Lane of California, in
which he said:
II we are to heed the voice which bids
us to cease TO be Democrats in order that
we may win shall find have lost not
only the victory of being true. but also the
victory at the polls which can be ours only
in true.
The leadership which would make our party
more truly Democratic Is the leadership which
will restore to the control OF the Gov
ernment. Our creed is simple and clear, but
il cannot be recited by those who would make
our organization annex to the Republican