New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-14
PRAISES MR.. ROOSEVELT
SENATOR RAYNER'S CREED
Fears Weak Successor, He Says at
Jefferson Dinner.

Democrats from the North. the South, the
East and West, Democrats OF the right and
Of the left, Senators. Congressman. judges.
bankers, lawyers and just Democrats to the
number of nearly five hundred celebrated JEFF
ferson Day last night at the dinner of the Ma
tional Democratic Club at the Waldorf. There
were present men Of national prominence, others
who were known only to the state. and more
stII whose political activity in the furtherance
OF Jeffersonian principles is limited to this city
The seating arrangement displayed a list Of
names like the attendance at a Tammany con-
vention. Charles F. Murphy and J. Sergeant
Cram sat close together at the principal table,
separated by Borough President Ahearn. Then
there was that true exponent of Democracy Of
the Jeffersonian type, Congressman William Sui
ger. not forgetting Delaney Nicoll and John w.
Keller.
Ex-Justice Morgan J. OBrlen presided in place
of John Fox, president OF the club. who was
absent because of sickness. The speakers
and toasts were Senator Isidor Rayner. OF Mary
| land, what Should Be the Proper Policy of the
Democratic party and What Is True Democ-
racy %: Colonel George B. NJ. Harvey, "a Lesson
from the Scripture: Martin W. Littleton, Look
[ ing Backward and Forward at Democracy"
SENATOR RAYNER's SPEECH.
The feature, Of course. was the speech OF Sem
ator Rayner. and It was an eloquent and COM
prehensive effort. He said that President
Roosevelt was as good Democrat as he was a
Republican, but he feared that his successor
/ might drift away from his plans and purposes.
] The Senator argued fer states rights and
| against Capitalization by the federal govern
ment Then he riddled the theory Of William
j. Bryan government ownership of railroads.
which he said had proved a failure wherever
| tried. The railroad presidents must be made to
understand, said Senator Rayner, that they are
| the servants. not the masters. Of the people, and
| that they are the real agitators. He spoke
against further territorial expansion. and point
ed out the needs of the Democracy The latter.
| no said must eliminate the customary indct-
ments against the opposite party for crimes they
| have never committed.
Speaking OF President Roosevelt, whom he has
opposed in political form and on the floor of the
! Senate, the speaker said:
have said over and over again that recognize
the great and wonderful resources of the President
! trotism the marvellous success OF his undertaS-
| ipgs. and his phenomenal popularity with the PEG
pie. but the fear that possesses me is that some
| feeble successor IN either party who may have
| these fundamental distinctions and attempt to d.
vert out institutions from the plans and purposes OF
Senator Rayner said in part:
IN The Merchant Of Venice, Iago Csic). in his
! philosophical SOnI0QuN announced I not what
| I am" Democracy is not exactly what Il pro-
| fesses to be.
I belong 70 a school that believes that the Demo
cratic party VIII always exist. regardless OF dis
comhture and defeat In fact. think its exist
ence Is absolutely essential for the perpetuity OF
/ Institutions
There are certain cardinal principles OF govern
! mental policy which the Democratic party has ad-
| vocated from time mmcmorial.
| These principles are essentially correct and n
| the party is TO lose sight OF them and adopt new
| principles that have connection with the old.
| but are IN conflict with them then I'm my judg-
| ment there ought 10 he deal. and those who
! belong to the true and the old Democracy should
| retain its name, and those who have embraced the
| new faith call themselves The New Democ-
4 racy." whatever other name Is suitable the
l doctrines that they entertain.
/ do not accede TO the view that the parties have
! coalesced on the contrary believe that thoy are
| as widely apart they have been. Tho Pres
! ident will have permanent tenure OF office.
/ one prediction be safely made and that Is
| when the Republican party has another candidate
/ and IL fs bound 10 have at day or an
| other. Il will gradually drift away from great
| many OF his plans and purposes and It will resume
. business al IT'S old stand
Then II Will be necessary for 10 como back "a
old principles. unless IN the time we