The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-14
Vigorous Attacks Are Made
Upon Republican Policies
and Measures
CONGRESSMAN CLAYTON
ACTS AS TOASTMASTER
TomIinson and Senator Gore Are
the Principal Speakers Dur
ing the Banquet

Washington. April 13.-Vigorous attacks
on the republican policy of high protec-
ton, condemnation of the Payne-Aldrich
tariff law. strong defense OF the demo-
cratic principles of Thomas Jefferson and
loudly applauded predictions of democrats
ic victory at the coming congressional
elections, were made by the speakers at
the banquet here tonight in honor of
the birthday anniversary of Thomas JEFF
ferson.
With the members of both houses of
Congress among the speakers and with
representatives of democracy from all
parts of the United States present. the
banquet was an enthusiastic approval Of
the principles of Jefferson. His ''rever-
ence for the individual love of liberty
was praised by Representative Clayton of
Alabama, toastmaster at the banquet.
His writings and teachings in favor OF
'irdvidualism under highly developed
civilization as the antithesis of commun-
ism were praised by the speaker who
spoke of Jefferson's belief in states rights
and the separation of the different
branches of government.
"The certainty of democratic harmony,
and the restoration of government to the
rule of the democratic party. were de-
clared to be due to the sins of omis-
sion and of commission by the republican
party
vicarious sacrifice of certain members
of the republican party, he said, would
not be accepted by the people of the
country as a sufficient apology for the
faults of the party, The demecratic
party, he claimed, will remain harmo-
| nioiis.
On motion of Representative Lloyd OF
Missouri, it was voted to send greetings
to the Jefferson Day banquet In Indian
apolis
| The first speaker of the evening was
| Representative Francis Burton Hamilton
of New York.
Harrison's Address
A vigorous attack was made on the
republican party and its leaders In the
address of Representative Harrison. He
declared that for the democratic party
all signs were harbingers of hope ana
that being "united and harmonious, alert
and aggressive" democracy might well
celebrate the day as 1t has not been
celebrated in 20 years.
He predicted democratic victory at the
coming election, saying that the peo-
pie are ready to turn from republican
rule which believes in creating prosperity
by turning to democratic rule which
adopts creating prosperity by labor.
While acknowledging that 1.-The people
today like and admire President Ia1t.
Mr. Harrison asserted that instead OF
demanding n genuine revision or the TAR
in upon the promise of which he was
elected to the office, he capitulated to
the powerful influences of the old repuo-
Iican machine
He said the President was unfortunate
in having led life Of political progress
sion along the lines of least resistance
Declaring that in spite of Roosevelt re-
nublieans. LaFolette, Beveridge and Can
non republicans bearing the Aldrlcn
brand. as we'll as the rest, varieties could
not supply enough to carry the electiohs
next November, Mr. Harrison said that
President Taft acting as peacemaker'
will be attacked by both sides
With his right hand, he said, he strokes
the insurgent cat. while his left, through
his Attorney General, skins 1t alive
MEANWHILE fellow democrats, he assert
ed, "let us encourage among them tho
practice of reading men out OF the re-
publican party and into the democratc
ranks and may the good days or demo-
cratic harmony endure, world without
end"
The speaker declared that to-day the
republican machine leaders are riding the
backs OF 100000 American citizens, and
that their ring leader is the great apostle
Of privileges. Nelson w Aldrich.
He said that when the tariff bill was
under discussion Mr.. Taft should have
turned a deaf ear to the specious plead
ings of Senator Aldrich.
'"rhe latter's statement that he could
have saved s3o0,000,o00 of the peoples
money every year said Mr.. Harrison,
was a strong indictment of the republic
an party"
Tomlinson's Speech
John w. Tomlinson. democratic national
committeeman for Alabama, responding
to the toast. Democratic Harmony"
spoke as follows
''Mr, Chairman and Fellow Democrats:
Democratic harmony and republican
want of harmony, with the burden on the
republicans to answer their II surgents
and explain the high cost of living under
the Payne Aldrich tariff, present an at
tractive opportunity for the election OF
democratic House, and later democratic
President But from past experience we
know that the republicans have way of
getting together on election day and
therefore 1t will not do to build too many
hopes on republican disagreements.
'"rhe question Is what will the demo-
Gratis do? Senator Taylor, In a speech
down In Tennessee. touching on the prohi-
bition question, described celebrated
banquet where President Mckinley put
his hand over the wine glass and said
no. and how another great man on SINH
lar occasion did likewise, Some one in
the crowd yelled; Bob, what did you dor
Taylor replied: Fellow citizens, about
that time 7 think a balloon went up
What will the democrats do? VIII we
put aside for the time all matters about
which we do not agree and present :
solid front on all about which we do
agree? Will we refrain from contro-
verses before the convention which tend
to weaken the party after the conventienf
VIII we bear in mind that policies and
candidates cannot be fiercely assaied he-(1
fore and successfully defended after the
convention?
f'Down in Tennessee, in the mountain