New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-03
WHAT BLACKBURN SAYS.

Senator BLACKBURN, OF kentucky, now on tap
in Chicago, announced yesterday that Senator
Hill could not possibly be elected temporary
chairman Of the Democratic National Conven-
ton. Think Of it! The Hill referred to Is David
Bennett Hill, Of Ncw-York. Consider his per-
sonality and all that he has been to his party;
that he was Governor Of the Empire State for
seven years, having previously served long
apprenticeship In various other Offices, and that
during all that period he was just about the
smOothest article which Democracy ever turned
out; that he evnced n rare capacity for pro-
ducing majOritles in ways most cOngenlal to
the taste Of his party; that he not only grew
great himself, but was the cause Of greatness
in others: that he was the author and is gen
orally reputed to have been the finisher OF
Roswell Pettibone Flower; that he invented the
resonant phrase which has launched long
succession Of Democratic orators upon the tide
Of elOquence and made millions OF perspirlnS
patriots grateful for n sentiment which they
could understand that having earnestly en-
deavored to prevent Mr.. Cleveland's nOmina-
ton four years ago he has been earnestly en-
deavoring ever since to make the most of him;
that having tried in vain to escape the tunutli-
Gus ingratitude of the Saratoga Convention in
1894 he smOthered his wrath. submitted to the
inevitable end saved his party from being beat
en- by considerably more than 10000; that all
his life long he has deliberately RETAINED from
cutiyating q single one of the pleasant vices
with which Democrats are wont to celebrate
victory and console themselves In defeat, iii
order that all his powers Of mind and body
might constantly be at the service Of the organ
ization; and that during the thirty-twO years
since he became n voter he has never once pro-
claimed himself to be better than his party.
though OF late he has not altogether succeeded
in avoiding that perlous distinction.
Having thus briefly traced Senator HIS ca
reer let consider what 1t is that. according
to Senator Blackburn, he cannot possibly at
tain at Chicago. Hearing that something WAS
said to be beyond his reach, ihc listener who
had failed TO catch the full meaning of the Ken
lucky statesmans announcement would na,II-
rally conclude that it was the nomination for
President and would be likely to say: "Weil.
ut Is hard lines on Hill. TO be sure he has
learned it, according to the old-timc Demo-
cratic test and. barring disposition TO mon
"key with the returns in emergencies, which
"he may have overcome, he IS more fit 10 be
trusted with the Chief Magistracy than bis
party can ever reasonably expect its candidate
ito be. But, Of course, free-silvcr convention
won't nominate Senator Hill either for Presi-
dent or Vice-President this isn't his year ="
Having ascertaned that It was not q place on
the Presidential ticket which Blackburn said
Hill could not have. the listener would prob
ably reflect that free-sver convention would
naturally want freesilver man for permanent
chairman, and therefore 1t was not surprising
that the Senator from NewYOrk should be re-
jccted. But having been told that the perma-
nent craftsmanship was not the thing referred
to, he would stop conjecturing and ASK in the
name Of Andrew Jackson. what else there was
in the gift Of the convention which was too
good for David Bennett Hill. And In our Opin-
ion the listener, If he CHANGED to be n young and
ambitious Democrat attending his first National
convention, would be amply justified upon
learning the truth, in removing to Patagonia
for the purpose Of growing up with the country.
"The selection of Senator Hill for temporary
chairman Is an impossibility," says Blackburn,
of Kentucky. The mercury stood Mt 100 degrees
In the shade yesterday at Chicago, and will
probably go higher next week; but nevertheless
these are cold days for the party whose supreme
council has sunk too low to be called to order
by Hill, Of New-YOrk.