The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-21
THE WISDOM OF THE SERPENT.

THE WISDOM OF THE SERPENT.
That Senator David B. Hill has not
lost any Of his political acuteness in
the various reverses through which he
has passed is shown by his position in
the present crisis, which has embar-
raised many good Democrats and
many who are not so good. There has
been a vast deal of foolish talk
in the two weeks since election
about ''reorganizing" the Democratic
party. There is a large force of po-
litical carpenters who are ready to I'M
dertake the job on most reasonable
terms. Some of them use implements
of gold and some Of silver, but all are
ready to sacrifice themselves on the
altar Of their country and in the inter
est of Democracy What all this pother
intense desire at this moment to ad-
minister the estate Of Democracy. A
good many ambitious politicians feel
that if they can get into the field first
nant, and they will take that hand in
directing its future operations and dis
tributing it's honors and rewards to
which they aspire. Senator Hill is wise
enough, at least, to see that the time
is inopportune and the proposition pre-
mature. He says that it is too early
to talk about reorganization" or for
any man or set of men to map out a
Of this country. There must be time
for animosities to disappear and is
sues to lose their sharpness. There
must be time for the real bone and
sinew of the party to come to the front
and quietly shove into the background
those leaders, whatever the doctrines
they may represent, who have sought
to bend the partys interests to their
personal advantage.
These matters will take care Of them
selves to a great extent in the natural
evolution of feeling and Of party dis
cipline. There is rot going to be any
political campaign for some time to
come. Any arrangements which might
be made now would be, probably,
brought tc nothing by unexpected de-
ve1opue1ts before that day arrives.
The events of the next twelve months
will probably have as much to dc with
| deciding what issues shall stand at the
ha oYaiy,
ions or desires of any individual. 1t Is
a good time for Democrats everywhere
to sit down quietly and think out their
future relation to the party, and what
eminent can be. One thing is certain.
No plan of reorganization could be car
ried through at the present time which
would not perpetuate the dissensions
of.the past and render deeper and more
permanent the chasm between different
factions Of the Democratic party that
opened a few months ago. Surely no
one wants to see any voters who want
to be Democrats forced to act with Re-
publicans. Surely no one who has the
party's welfare at heart wants to see
| the distinction between Democrats and
| National Democrats emphasized and
made impossible of obliteration. Let
| there be time for reason to do it's work,
for good feeling to return and for that
passionate attachment to Democratic
principle that has been so strong a
force in our past to resume its sway.
Senator Hill has not been noted for
the wisdom Of his political counsels in
the past, but he is certainly right when
he declines to outline an immediate
course of action, and suggests that the
future of the party be left for the men,
| time and place.