Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-04-05
The Jefferson Day Banquet at Des
Moines.

The democrats who attended the
Jefferson Day Banquet in Des Moines
last Saturday evening had a rare
opportunity to renew their faith in
the principles Of true democracy.
The tables in the capacious Savery
House dining room were spread for
300 guests and that was not suili-
Gent for the accommodation of all
the prominent Iowa democrats who
desired to attend.
Gen. j. B. Weaver was toastmas-
ter. The invocation was by DR.. II.
o. Breeder, Hon. j. b. Sullivan de-
livered the address Of welcome, and
toasts were responded to by John D.
Denison, of Clarion, Cato Sells, of
Vinton, Editor Louis Murphy, Of
Dubuque, ii. G. Evans, of Des
Moines, and w. j. Bryan. Mr..
Bryan's response was the principal
address of the occasion. He spoke
for fully an hour and a quarter.
His subject, "Back to the People"
gave him splendid opportunity to
talk about public duties and party
prospects from the standpoint of a
statesman. He contended that all
real democrats and very many who
called themselves republicans were
in fact Jeffersonian democrats. He
cited many instances to show the
cleavage among republicans toward
Jeffersonian principles. He advised
democrats to support measures
which were right, without regard te
their origin. He rejoiced over the
fact that President Roosevelt hac
the support of every democrat in the
lower house Of congress, in his en-
deavor to secure better railway rate
Legislation, except five or six mem
bers from the eastern side of the
Allegheny mountains; and over the
action Of the democrats of Kansas
who were doing all in their power te
help a republican governor to pro
.sss ths P2eRs q shat stats fg2m tbs
monopoly in the country.
Every public and party considera
ton he said favored such action OF
the part Of democrats. In the frs
place it proved their sincerity, anc
their willingness to serve the people
under all circumstances. And from
party standpoint there was gai1
instead Of loss. When such en-
deavors succeed and the people wer,
benefited, the democrats who as
sisted their republican associates
could justly lay claim to share O
the credit. And in the event o
failure, the support given sucl
measures by democrats, would max,
it easier for them to succeed whe1
they took the initiative.
Mr.. Bryan commended, that not
withstanding the overwhelming de
feat of last fall, the democratic party
was stronger to-day than it hac
been since 1892. 1t was jus
emerging from the valley of shadows
into which the republican party was
now entering. The republican re
formers he said were face to face
with the same problems which con
fronted Jeffersonian democrats il
the early nineties. There will BIZ
commissions in the republican party
like those experienced by the demo
Gratis, but reform can come in NJ
other way. Timid republicans, who
have been afraid to fight the abuses
for which their party now stand.
lest they should disturb party har
mony, have only increased theil
party's difficulties.
Mr.. Bryan's address to the demo
Gratis of Iowa was his first public
utterance since the st. Louis con
vention last July, and while talking
ITO Iowa democrats he at tho same
time talked to the people Of tho
whole country.
Under the inspiration of Mr.
Bryan's presence q democratic clul
was formed. II. G. Evans of Des
Moines was elected president, A. r
McCook secretary, and George L
Rinehart Of Newton treasurer, anc
an executive committee composed O
w. X. Cownie, Creston; J. B. Sulli
van, Des Moines; Louis Murphy
Dubuque; G. D. Huston, Cedar
Rapids; w. K. English, Des Moines
q. Fl. Rockwell, Pennington, and
James B. Weaver, Colfax. was also
elected.
Vice presidents were chosen by
the districts as follows:
First-H. N. Roberts, Fort Madi.