St. Paul daily globe., 1895-11-30
SENATOR DAVID B. HILLS SUR
JECT OF AN INTERESTING
LECTURE.
IN THE PEOPLES CHURCH.
LARGE AUDIENCE GREETS THE
DISTINGUISHED NEW YORK
DEMOCRAT.
VIEWS ON MONEY QUESTION.
Issue Not Gold Against Silver, bUt
Hard Money Against Soft
Money.

United States Senator David B.
Hill addressed a large audience at
the Peoples church last night. His
topic was "Old Landmarks" The
title, while it proved most appro-
| pirate, gave no indication in ad-
vance of the nature of the subjects
to be discussed.
When Gen. George L. Becker
stepped to the front of the platform
for the purpose of introducing Sem
ator Hill, the auditorium and gal
lery of the church were comfortably
filed. There were at least 1000 peo-
pie present. The audience, which
was almost entirely of the mascu-
line persuasion, included many
prominent citizens and city officials.
In introducing the speaker, Gen.
Becker said that it would be a work
Of supererogation on his part to
dwell upon the ability and distinc-
ton of Senator Hill. His achieve
ments spoke for the man. Gen.
Becker merely pointed out the no
table events of the senator's career
down to the present time. In the
course of his remarks, Gen Becker
referred to the bachelorhood of the
distinguished gentleman, and ex-
pressed the hope that the solitary
condition might not last much long
er. Happily his present visit to the
Northwest might result in ending
it. Then Gen. Becker presented
Senator Hill to his audience.
AFTER THE APPLAUSE
subsided Senator Hill began with
a few predatory remarks concerning
his visit to the Northwest He had
adopted the lecture platform because
he wanted to travel around and
come into contact with the people
of all parts Of the country. He want
| ed to meet the leading spirits of the
Western cities. Then, assuming a
confidential tone, Senator Hill said:
'As your distinguished chairman
| has just intimated, I am lonely, and,
having thought it out alone for so
many years, the truth is, 1 am out
in the Western country looking for
some Western girl Gaughter)
Senator Hill commented upon the
fact that he had spoken in public
halls, theaters, from hotel balconies
and in school houses, but this was
the first time he had ever spoken in
a church. That being the case, he
was glad he was speaking in the
Peoples" church. The senator
then proceeded with his lecture on
"Old Landmarks" He said that
he would not speak of landmarks in
the strict sense of the term, but in
the broadest possible sense. He
would speak Of ancient institutions,
old customs, time-tried theories and
laws not easily removable. After
describing the general attributes OF
landmarks, and pointing out the ten-
dency of the new to encroach upon
the old, Of new inventions and new
theories to supplant old institutions
and doctrines, the senator cautioned
his hearers not to discard old and
tried doctrines too hastily for ev-
cry new theory. No mans theories
had supplanted those of Isaac New
ton or the philosophy of Socrates or
the code Of Napoleon or the doctrine
of Lincoln's emancipation proclama-
tion. The sentiments in the Declara-
ton of Independence were as new
today as they were 120 years ago.
They embodied the
ESSENCE OF CIVIL LIBERTY.
They embraced the fundamental
principles of human rights. The dec
laration of independence was a land
mark.
Senator Hill then spoke of Thomas
jefferson, the author of the Declara-
ton of Independence, as another land
mark, whose resting place is now
marked by a plain monument. He
paid an eloquent tribute TO the men,
ory of the ilustrious patriot, who
would never be forgotten while liberty
lived. He considered Mr.. Jefferson one
of the country's greatest statesmen, a
man of massive brain and grand char
acter He did not lead armies or -four
ish a sword, but he welded the pen,
which, in the most critical times, is
often mightier than the sword.
Jefferson was an honest reformer,"
said Senator Hill. mot a professional
one. I do not like professional re-
former
The senator forcibly contrasted Jef-
ferson and Alexander Hamilton. Ham
ilton, he said, was a debater; JeffersoD
was a scholar. Hamilton was an ora
tor; jefferson was a writer.
Senator Hill combatted the argument
that Jefferson was wrong when he
penned the famous assertion, "All men
were created equal Jefferson was
in
tellectual, social or moral. He was
combating the theory of plutocratic
government under which the poor were
deprived of their liberty. He was con-
tending for the right of a free people
to govern themselves. The statement
that the memory of Hamilton would
outlive that of Jefferson, Senator Hill
also disputed. Jefferson was essen
tally the man of the people.
The masses, the mighty populace,
would never. never forget the author
of the Declaration of Independence
(Applause.)
The next landmark was the constitu-
ton of the United States. Senator Hill
said that the adoption of the constitu-
ton of the United States marked the
erection of another fortif1cation for the
protection of human liberty. The years
Immediately following the Revolution
were considered the most critical that
the government had ever passed
through. The ten commandments ad-
ded to that constitution were vitaily
important and greatly strengthened
and improved it. They were In reality
more important than all the rest OF
the constitution. The senator dwelt