The evening world., 1894-07-20
HILL SU|STA|NS
cleveland.
t(oni,rucd rom Frs PuJ,.N

tton,rued rom Frs RagtN
cede that II there was one thing more
than another to which the Democratic
party was committed it was in favor
Of the doctrine of absolutely free raw
materials.
The true and honest construction of
every Democratic platform for twelve
years past irrevocably commits US to
this Just and reasonable principle
MIR. Hill read the Democratic National
platform of 1892 and continued:
ITO repeal the Mckinley law in form
simply: to re.enact 1t in erect j. keep.
with pride and deliberately approved
the measures for free iron orc, free
lead q. ore, free coal and free wool, which
OF the convention. The Democrat"
position was SO plain and Is 50 clear
that ne who runs may read"
| 1t is said by some In justification OF or
excuse for their present action that the
PRESIDENTS letter ot acceptance. in iSg2
modified the extreme demands of ON
platform. 1t is true that some portoua
of his letter may tend to bear that con-
struction; II was not that bold. ringing
and explicit declaration in favor Of the
platform which his party had right to
expect. bu, was regarded by many as
timid. cautious and conservative: but
| whether this criticism Is or Is not
well founded the fact remains
that he had no power or authority
l
| provision of the National Platform which
had been deliberately adopted in Ma
tional Convention duly assembled. No
| President can Ice above his party; no
President can dictate to ais party: no
President can change his party platform.
But no matter what idea it may be
| claimed was intended to be conveyed
in his letter of acceptance, in mitigation
| or modification of the platform. there
can be no doubt as to the Presidents
position at this time upon this cs-
al ,,rir pif,lp of frDn mat. riulN
Let me read from that remarkable let
ter of the Presidents which was yester-
day submitted TO the House of Represen-
tatives. 1t expresses better than | can
hope to do the true, sound and logical
position of the Democratic party upon
this question"
After reading extracts from this letter,
Mr.. Hill went on as follows:
Mr.. President | approve every word
that | have quoted. Ii is an honest and
manly statement Of the true attitude
crisis.
II am not required to defend the pro.
priety. or wisdom of the promulgatinn
may have been indscreet: it may operate
as a firebrand to spread the flames OF
discord already kindled among party
friends. honestly differing. as am dis.
posed to concede upon questions of pub
lie and party. policy. 1t may widen the
breach already existing in this Senate
and in that view It may be regarded as
1T was time for diplomacy, states
manship and Cancellation, rather thar
recrimination and arrangement. Bu
aside from the question of its mere ex.
pediency, I am here to defend the Presi
dents letter in SO far as it demands
that the party shall not be led astra!
and principles.
Upon the question of free raw ma
terials the President is right, and vol
know 1t. You cannot answer his argu
f,.ll, 1t.
his propositions. You cannot doubt hi
sicerity and patriotism. You must yiclC
in the end to his views. You canno
stand up against the sentiment of tn,
great Democratic masses Of the coun
, try which will rally around the Presi
dent In his contest with YOU upon th
particular branch of the subject.
THE time to yield IL now. before there
Is further humiliation. embarrassment
and discord'
r Mr., President. having demonstrated
l that the true Democratic theory of rev
:. snue, reform requires that free raw ma
terials. should be it's distinguishing fea
ture, let us next inquire what Is tn
The Senate ' bill iii" Violates tt this Us Demo
cratic theory. and while it reduces thu
duty on iron, coal, lead and some ohe
spect is commendable. 1t nevertheless
imposes some duties thereon and there
by fails to redeem our pledges: It il
not Il question of the maount of dutie!
which may be imposed: question o
principle Is involved and a single pen
ny's duty violates our promises an'
places us in a false position. As Thu
President well Says, there can be M
r compromise on matter Of this charac
, ter: where vital principle Is at stake
The House of Representatives, fresl
from the people, which represents NOR
distinctly and peculiarly than we d,
the taxing power of the people. repudi
ates our bill, and "a Democratic Presi
dent has emphasized that reputation
: one of extreme embarrassment. Shal
we retreat or advance? Shall we sur
render to the House while we can d.
: SO honorably, or shall We wait until w
, are driven to 1t?
I'm the light of the letter of the Presi
. dent, thine HMouse cannot honorably re
e treat. 1t has no other alternative eX
cept to insist upon its bill wherin it pro
vides for free raw materials The Presi
dent cannot approve the Senate bill afte
what he has said in this remarkabl
! letter.
e HE arraigns the Senate and intimat e
4 that the enactment of the Senate bi
e means party perfidy and party dis
: honor These are strong words whic
e the President of the United state
I would not use towards a measure whic
he ever expected afterwards to approve
\ This letter, unusual and unprece
= dented in its character and method o
theless clearly foreshadOws veto of tn
. Senate bill. even II the House Shout
finally concur in our amendments VIVA
: person would expect the President (
approve the Senate bill after its vigoI
gus and scathing denuncati lens, Gon I.a,
r him for his glaring Inconsistency.