Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-26
THE EMPIRE STATE.
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 months, in repeating the law than our opp ponents took in enacting it in 1890.
 "Never did political party assume the responsibility of government under greater em mbarrassments than did the democratic party in March, 1893. Under such unfa vorable and adverse circumstances, with slender majority in the senate, with an un- wieldy majority in the house, with timid- ity to contend with on one hand Id radicalism on the other, with couniry impatient for prompt action, with some- what divided councils among ourselves, it is not to be wondered at that the meas ure of revision which was finally passed by the democratic majority and which is now submitted to the judgment of the country does not iu all respects meet the public ex- pectations.
 "Without retracting single word which uttered in the senate in criticism of the measure while engaged in the effort to perfect 1t and render 1t more acceptable, now that 1t has been passed aud permitted by the president to become law, 1t must be considered as whole, treated largely as a party measure and contrasted with the Mckinley law, which place it assumes on the statute book. Uninf1uenced by any personal disappointment or any pride of opinion, 1 may be permitted to speak of the measure as it is-nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice.
 ''On its strictly tariff features 1t may be truthfully urged that it is a vast improve ment over the Mckinley law and will clearly demonstrate its superiority as time rolls on aud the business men in this coun- try adjust themselves to its condition.
 ''It is true that it does not embody the full measure of tariff reform which many of us desired and the country anticipated, but nevertheless 1t is safe, moderate, req sonable.
 ''I bespeak for this new law (unsatisfac- tory though it may be to me in some re- spects because of objections which urged in the senate which it is not now advise ble or necessary to reiterate) the patient con- sideration of a fair trial, to which, in com mon fairness, it is entitled. The country should understand that general or exten- sive tariff revision is not contemplated hy the democratic party now or In the near future. This determination, however, does not preclude the desirability of re- deeming by the passage of separate bills whatever pledges we have made in our platform or otherwise for free raw materials or the readjus tment of any objectionable sugar schedule. Beyond this 1t Is not wise to go much further at this time unless the unforeseen necessities of the treasury or the changed conditions of the country shall warrant or imperatively demand 1t. This is believed to be the true path to pursue and the correct position to assume at this critical juncture of public affairs.
 ''Fellow democrats of this Empire State hhN OA OuO SOoheiJ tbO duOJ VI bhO hohA 10 not harsh criticism of democratic leaders or of democratic measures, nor m mutual re- criminations, nor conflicting councils, but 1t Is time for conciliation, for unity of purpose, for aggressive action. The com mon enemy now confronts us, seeking our political destruction. Bear in mind that the control of both legislative de- partments IS at staSe 1n the coming elections. Inter- party strife must now cease, and our attacks be re- f<xns lx nI~ 1Nt f,~rr. ing their lines of battle against us. Demo- cratic national and state adm nistrations must alike be Loyalty supported. The American people have not changed their sentiments, and the sound and cherished principles of true democracy will still re- ceive thelr approval, because the demo- cratic Cause is the cause of the people.
 "The administration of President Cleve- land has been clean" handed, economical, painstaking and patriotic. The various departments of the national government have been conducted with success, and the democracy as whole is entitled to the confidence of the masses of the people, whose interests 1t endeavors faithfully to serve. The administration of our slate government under democratic auspices has merited the public approval.
 ''The democratic party in this state stands as 1t has ever stood, for that re- igious liberty which is guaranteed to all by our constitution; and l arraign the re- publican party for it's covert sympathy with and encouragement of that proscrip- tive spirit which attempts to set up religious test as qualification for official prefermeut in this land of freedom and which is propagated by certain secret political organization, which deserves ex- ecration at the hands of every fairminded man, but which the republican state con vention last week distinctly refused, though earnestly urged to condemn.
 "Our duty is plain and it shall be per- formed, and if perchance adherence to the right brings disaster we shall bravely ac- cept our fate and take our place in private station by the side of our prescribed fellow citizens until reason, justice aud true re- ligious freedom shall again resume their sway, as surely as they will.
 'Felow democrats, let us not under estimate the dangers which confront us. We shall encounter the cohorts of corrup- tion in this campaign, led by audacious and unsorupuions leaders, who are fl ght. ing, not only for the control of New York, but of the country. We are on the skirmish line of the great national battle of 1896, and the loss of New York may lose our party he presidency. The whole country IS breathlessiy and hopefully watching our contest, and we must GO our fuli duty. Sinking every prejudice, subordinaling every selfish consideration, actuated only by high and patriotic motves, realizing how much issat stake, to b. won or lost; mindful of the grand traditions which be- long to the party of Jefferson, Jackson and Tilden; knowing that a united democracy in this state meaus an old fashioned dem ocratic triumph, let Us buckle on our ar- nor and march together like the Macedo- nian phalanx of old, with locked shields and measured tread, to the contest thae awaits us, with courage, win resolution, with confidence, believing that our cause is right, and that c d, the jusi, surely will give us the victory.''
 Hill was loudly and frequently ap- plauded, and his praises of tte Cleveland admlni nistration sent one side of the hall wildwith joy, while there was speaking silence in other quarters. The senator's