The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-04-14
Was Verdict Of His
tory He Accepted.
FIRST GREAT DEMOCRAT oPPos-
Ed TERRITORIAL ACQUISITION
AND PATERNALisM AND FAVOR
Ed NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
IAN DOCTRINE MIsREPREsENT-
ED AND MlsAPPLIEo.
BY Associated Press.

Chicago, April 13.-Subjects of ma
tional significance TO the democratic
party were discussed by prominent
orators OF the party at the Jefferson
Club banquet tonight The dinner,
however, in measure, resolved itself
into jollifcation over the election of
Mayor Edward F. Dunno, who is a
director of the club and was among
the speakers TO respond 70 the toasts.
William j. Bryan and George Fred
Williams were the principal speakers.
Mr.. Bryan chose as his subject
Thomas Jefferson. and his remarks
were greeted with unstinted applause.
Mr.. Bryan took occasion to congratu-
late Mayor Dunno on his election as
mayor OF Chicago. and then said in
part:
We are told that when Moses, the
first great law giFer, lad attained his
majority, he looked upon the burdens
of his countrymen and sympathized
with them. Although he had been
adopted by princess and was heis
to q 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 Israelies
and guide them in the formation of a
nation, this sympathy fitted him fol
his work. And no one, it-may be add
ed does a great work whose heart
does not beat in sympathy with the
masses, ever struggling, ever in need
of help.
Thomas Jefferson, although no;
reared in the environment of ROYAL
~. was born and educated among the
people who least sympathIzed with the
rights and interests Of the common
man. His heart, too. was touched b,
the struggles OF his countrymen. ana
he early became their champion. al
though in so doing he alienated the
landed aristrocracy and the educateS
classes. In wealth he was the equa
OF the wealthy. and his learnin;
brought him into association witt
scholars. but his heart kept him II
touch with the plain people. and h,
earned the right to be called Tn,
First Great Democrat
First Gave Expression.
1t was not that he was the first {.
conceive of democratic principles o
to preach the doctrine SET forth Z
the declaration of independence Tha
doctrine was not new one but b
gave fitting expression to the doctrin
at the time of its greatest triumph
The aspiration for self government
was born with man. II has been tn
inspiring cause which has led peopl
in all ages to struggle for freedom
of conscience. freedom of speech. il
dividual liberty and the recognitio
of the rights OF man. Some in a
ages have found a selfish reason 70
lapplauding monarchy, but at 10 tim
has there been universal acquie.
enee in arbitrary power.
Mr.. Bryan quoted from the speee
of Sheridan against Warren Tasting
referred to the same sentiment {
liberty expressed by Abraham Lincol
and said that Jefferson knew the We
fdict of history was in favor of gove-i
lment by the people rather than go
eminent by the few. Jefferson, sal
the speaker. was so much lover ;
peace and so ardent an advocate ,
1t that he had been accused of lac
ing physical courage Even fourtee
years after he retired from the Pres
dency and near the close of his Iii
in letter to John Adams he sail
II hope we shall prove how muC
happier for man the Quaker policy
and that the life of the feeder is be
ter than that of the fighter" His a
vocaey Of peace did not prove Lar
OF physical bravery but indicate
moral courage OF high degree.
Territorial Acquisition.
On the subject of acquiring ter
tory by conquest, now favored by t;
influential portion of our countryme
Jefferson said: IF there be OF
principle more deeply rooted than a
other In the mind OF every Anne
can, it is that we should have nothil
TO do with conquest" and al anoth
time he said: Conquest is not
our principles: il is Inconsistent wi
our government
On the subject of taxation he ey