The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-02-13
THE SPHINX SPEAKS.
Hill on the Democratic Party
Prophesises Victory in 1900 II His Ad.
vice Is Taken.

Prophesises Victory in 1900 II His Ad-
vice Is Taken.
Since the Chicago convention Sen
ator Hill of New York has been ex-
ceedingly reticent ON subjects politi-
cal. His article in the current num-
Der of the Forum on THE Future of
the Democratic Organization" is of
interest for the reason that it is a
breaking of this silence, and also be-
cause of the light it may throw on
the subject discussed.
Senator Hill is one of those who
believe in reorganized and unified
Democratic party. "The fact should
not be overlooked" he says, that
with the exception of the reverses
which were traceable TO the follies
of 1860, from which the Democratic
party did not recover until 1876, it
has never lost presidential election
twice in succession Senator Hills
hope of success in 1900 is based up
on the assumption, which he says
may reasonably be entertained, "that
a policy ofpacification rather than OF
antagonism shall be adopted by par
ty managers toward all factions
and that "there shall be steadfast
adherence to well-settled Democratic
usages and principles-untinctured
with populism-and that recent
mistakes in that regard shall be
avoided
Senator Hill condemns as mis-
take the advocacy of free silver coin
age at the arbitrary ratio of l6 to |,
but he does not go to the other ex-
IRENE represented by the Indlanap-
oils convention. He would have fa-
vored instead a general declaration
in favor of the reconciliation Of sill
yer, accompanied by strong pledge
for the maintenance of its parity
with gold, with the exemption of ex-
isting contracts from the operation
of the law. The declaration in ia
vor of free coinage Senator Hill
thinks only one of the Objectionable
features in the Chicago platform, and
he enumerates and considers in de-
tail the other points in that docu-
ment that were criticised during the
campaign. Curiously enough for
man with his record as a spokesman,
he also objects to the attack on the
civil-service law. Then comes the
following, which is the most signifi-
cant portion of the article:
"The evidences are numerous that
hundreds of thousands of Democrats
to whom that platform was distaste-
full nevertheless supported the tick
ct upon grounds of regularity, ex-
lpediency or other tenable grounds
satisfactory to themselves and their
consciences, but who do not desire
the experiment repeated or their 10y
atty again so severely and unneccs-
sarily tested. They were willing to
pardon or excuse the errors of their
party in one campaign, but they will
not tolerate them in another. The
mistakes of the recent contest must
not be repeated; the Objectionable
features of the platform must be
abandoned or there must be a ma
terial modification of its essential
provisions; conservatism must re.
place radicalism the selfish interests
of sectionalism must give way to the
best interests of the whole country;
Cancellation must prevail instead of
ostracism; broad and liberal poll
cy in party management must be
adopted; there must be greater free
dom of opinions tolerated and sin
cere efforts made to harmonic and
adjust honest differences; unholy al
liances with populists must be
avoided, and, above all, there must
be return to the fundamental prin-
ciples of the party, from which tenn
porarily it has so materially depart
ed-these are the essential require
ments by which success becomes
possible in the future"
Concerning the movement begun
at Indianapolis Sen. Hill says: 1T
originated as a protest against the err
rors and false doctrines Of theChicago
convention, and if they shall be con
tinued and persisted in it's existence
is liable to be prolonged, increasing
in strength and influence, becoming
not only factor in future political
contests, but possibly a controlling
and successful power However,
'if, guided by wise counsels, the reg
ular organization shall avoid the
mistakes of 1896, upon which / have
commented--a course which mil
lions of Democrats hope may be
pursued-the Indianapolis organiza-
ton will naturally speedily dissolve,
and a united Democratic front may
again be presented to the common
enemy in the last presidential CON
test of the nineteenth century,"
What is Senator Hill going to do?
Will he remain with the regular Or
ganization or will he with other
apostles of "expediency" be forced
toally himself with the Indianapolis
movement? The question is one
fraught with interest to every per-
son who concerns himself with poll