The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-04-20

Powers of government. Nothing that
the ingenuity of monopoly can sug-
gest, as within its scope or interest, is
withheld.
When we can control once again
these training-schools for the higher
politics, we shall have little need to
trouble ourselves ove-much about can
didates for President. because we shall
have laid, deep and strong in the peo-
pies will, the necessary foundations.
Then, and only then. may we look with
hopefulness and confidence to the coun-
try at large Then we may go North,
or South. East or West. for candidates.
certain of their fitness for the work in
hand, and of their acceptableness to our
countrmen.
Bryan at Chicago.
Chicago, Special.-Subjects OF ma
tional significance to the Democratic
party were discussed by several lead
/ ing orators Of the party at Jefferson
club banquet held at the Sherman
House in commemoration of the birth
day of Thomas Jefferson. The dinner in
a measure resolved itself into a jolifi-
cation over the recent election OF Mayor
Edward F. Dunno, who is director OF
the club. The mayor was among the
speakers who responded to toasts. All
the speakers referred to municipal own
ership and to Mayor Dunne's election
on a municipal ownership platform.
William Jennings Bryan and George
Fred Williams were the principal
speakers from out Of town. Mr.. Bryan
spoke on Thomas Jefferson and his
remarks were greeted with unstinted
applause.
He responded to the toast Thomas
Jefferson" He said in part:
We are told that when Moses. the
first great law giver, had attained his
majority, he looked upon the burdens
of his countrymen and sympathized
with them. Although he had been
adopted by princess and was heir
to a throne his heart led him from
the palace and the society OF princes
to companionship with his oppressed
brethren. When a leader was needed
to break the bondage of the Israel
ties and guide them in the formation
of a nation, this sympathy fitted him
for his work. And no one, 1t may be
added, does a great work whose heart
does not beat in sympathy with the
masses, ever struggling, ever in need
of help.
Thomas Jefferson. although not
reared in the environment Of royalty,
was born and educated among the
people who least sympathized with the
rights and interests Of the common
man. His heart, too, was touched Dy
the struggles of his countrymen. and
he early became their champion. al
though in so doing he alienated the
landed aristocracy and educated class
es. In wealth he was the equal OF the
wealthy, and his learning brought him
into association with scholars. but heart
kept him in touch with the plain peo-
ple, and he earned the right to be
called the First Great Democrat.
1t was not that he was the first to
conceive of Democratic principles or to
preach the doctrine set forth in the
Declaration of Independence. That doc
trine was not a new one; but he gave
fitting expression to the doctrine at
the time of its greatest triumph. The
aspiration for self-government was
born with man. 1t has been the inspir-
ing cause which has led people in all
ages to struggle for freedom OF con-
science, freedom of speech, individual
liberty and the recognition Of the rights
OF man. Some in all ages have found
selfish reason for applauding monarchy,
but at no time has there been universal
acouiescence in arbitrary power.
He lived before the invention OF the
railroad. and before the country had
witnessed the colossal GENERALIZATION OF
wealth, but viewing as he did every
question from the standpoint OF the
people, and hating, as he did, every at
tempt to divert the profits OF industry
from the producers to the idle holders
of idle capital" we have a right to
assume that he would today stand
with the people for the regulation OF
railroads and the determination or prl-
vate monopoly.
No one can imagine Jefferson as toll
Grating the impudent claim OF the rail-
road magnates that they have right
70 determine Arbitrarily and without
appeal the rate to be charged for the
transportation Of passengers or freight.
What an opportunity the present con-
test would give him for the arralgn-
ment of human greed and for the de-
fense of human rights.
Jefferson's love for mankind was MS
controlling passion, and it extended 70
generations unborn. AS we celebrate
his memory on the anniversary OF his
birth we can say as those could say
who lived when he did. we love MIN
because he first loved US.