Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-08
Gathering of the Clans

TODAY is Jackson Day, and the occasion
will be celebrated by gathering of
Democratic party chiefs ut a banquet in
Washington, rs has been the custom for
many years past While the date is the an
nivcrsary OF the military triumph OF General
Andrew Jackson over the British forces at
New Orleans on January s. 1915, it has been
appropriated by the Democratic party as a
red letter day. marking the beginning OF the
rapid rise II public favor OF the real founder
or the party as it exists today.
The founding OF the present Democratic
party. be ii remembered, although in a large
measure due TO the bitter fight between the
followers OF John Quincy Adams and those
OF Andrew Jackson, occurred in a decade
during which effected certain siEuif-
cant changes in tho American political sys-
tenn. Thus, the practice, which had been
hitherto uniformly observed OF having the
presidential electors chosen by the State
legislatures. was in some States abandoned
ana thereafter the present method BIZ which
the voters at large were given IA share in the
choice OF the electors. was gradually intro
duced. Moreover, the old method OF leaving
Lhe choice OF presidential candidates 10 a
caucus or the members OF Il party in Con-
sress was vigorously attacked in 1924, with
the result that after 1925 the people at large
through the medium Of national nominating
conventions, had direct share in the choice
OF candidates. Furthermore, i'll the same
ueeaue was ieiL lot 'ne ilrSt time the real
significance OF the political power Of the new
States beyond the II! ,hanies; for, with the
rise 10 power OF the new Jacksoniau
democracy, there given full sway to the
principles OF equality and Of thorough
democracy which were best illustrated in
the region Of which Jackson was the natural
product
AS has been the custom, the party chiefs
assembled al the banquet tonight will be
expected 10 avail themselves OF the occasion
TO voice their views as to what should con-
sttute the keynote OF the Forthcoming Demo
cratic presidential campaign. On the list of
speakers designated for the occasion are
twelve OF the leading figures Of the Demo-
cratc party including most Of those prom-
nentiy mentioned for the presidential nomi-
nation, and besides a message from President
Wilson will be read first at the banquet.
Heading this list is William Jennings
Bryan, who thrice led the party to defeat as
It's presidential nominee, and interest
throughout the country is keen as TO what
he may have to say in his address, both as
regards the issues upon which the party an
peal should be made in the coming cam
naign and the choice OF standard bearer
10 which may be added that which attaches
10 the expectation that the speaker will in
innate his own attitude toward the poni-
nation.
II is easily possible that among ton;ght's
SPEAKERS will be the next Democratic nomi-
nee and. possibly, the next President More
over. speculation is not less keen about what
the President in his message of creetin. NAV
say on third term and on the peace treaty
. as campaign issue. All in all i, is an
occasion on which the Democratic donkey is
expected to appear on the stage dressed nm
IN MS most 'fetching' habiiments