New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-14
rs VF A "SNEAK"?
ciai dignity


II was not strange in view of the disposition
manifested by few Democratic statesmen ana
several Democratic newspapers to discount the
next Presidential election as Democratic VIC
tory because Chicago and one or two other clties
had elected Democratic Mayors. that repre-
sentative Of The New-York World should have
sought out ex-senator David b. Hill, now en-
joying the otium cum dignitate of an unsought
retirement from public cares at Wolferts Roost'
near Albany, and asked him what he thought
about 1t. Not strange, because. as "The Worlds
representative sagely remarked. critical OBJ
'servatlon compels the conviction that his in
"fiuence always strong in the rural districts, is
waxing rather than waning therein. for politi-
zeal pilgrims are pressing into Albany almost
"day from Long Island the Hudson Valley, the
Southern tier, the Adirondack slopes, eager TO
Consult the horoscope of Mr.. Hill" 1t was
natural that 1.-The World" contemplating this
stream of pilgrims and impressed thereby with
the conviction that Mr.. Hills influence was
waxing" should make an effort TO secure at
first hand from that statesman his views Of the
existing political situation for the benefit OF the
one hundred million, more or less, readers OF that
powerful publication. Nor Is 1t entirely unac-
countable that the statesman overcame the aver
sion to publicity which he manifested so credit
ably during the Presidential campaign and yield
ed up his views to the extent Of a couple Of
columns.
They were interesting, but not startling. he
began by saying that he took no stock in the
predictions of "oversanguine statesmen, partic-
"ularly from some parts of the South, and that
"the elections of 1898 and 1900 were already as
good as won: that the elections recently won
by the Democrats We're municipal. in which local
rather than National issues predominated and
consequently had very little significance, and
that 1.-The victories Of 1898 and 1900 are still TO
'be won-won by hard work, won by intelligent
recruiting, won by thorough organization, and,
"above ALL Won upon right principles After
descanting at some length upon the dangers or
overconfidence. some pertinent illustrations or
which he derived in quite suggestive way from
the experience of Mr. Cleveland's Adminlstra-
ton and the serene sef-confidence Of that po-
tentate, he proceeded TO point out some Of the
blunders that had been made and TO indicate the
lines upon which future campaigns should he
fought especially in this State and in the Great
or New-York, If the Democrats would regain
ascendancy. He thinks that the most important
factor in coming elections will be the issue OF
personal liberty" which is imperled by 'arbi-
"trary arrests, Puritancal ordinances, petty
prosecutions. the spy system. protection for the
erich mans champagne on Sunday and aboli-
"tion of the poor mans lager. extravagant II
"cense fees, violations Of home-rule principles
land increased taxes" All Of which when boiled
down means simply free trade in rum seven
days in the week and twenty-four hours In the
day.
Well. why not? That's good Democratic doc
trne and always has been. And 1t is the only
one upon which the party is at all united. From
the Democratic point Of view 1t ought to COM
mand general approval But here comes the
only regular Democratic party organ in this city,
the only newspaper that supported the regular
ticket In the last Presidential election, with an
objection to Mr. Hill having anything whatever
to say about il. AS TO the soundness or unsound-
ness Of his views it expresses no opinion except
10 say that they are of no consequence. But,
either from professional jealousy OF its rival TO
which the ex-senator made his communication.
or because it cannot forget that gentleman's
rank and unbridled silence during the campaign,
1t vigorously opposes any hearing being given TO
him. 1t characterizes the interview as IAN
Impudent Temperance; asks "Who is Mr..
Hill that he should assume the right TO speak
las an adviser of the party and answers its
own question by saying that he is mo longer
Democrat" that in the last campaign "he was
not frank nor honorable" that "he sulked and
"skulked and sought 10 keep within the party
Zines while he gave aid and comfort to the
enemy: in short. that "Air. Hill played the part
Of sneak" This is hot stuff. Particularly hot
when il is considered that il is applied TO the
statesman whose name is inseparably connect
ed with the startling declaration. Il am Demo
craft" and who for years has been regarded as
the lineal successor Of Thomas Jefferson and
Andrew Jackson, and the greatest living eX-
ponent OF Democratic principles. Applied, too,
by the youngest representative Of the newest
doctrines enuncated by the party. Not content
with denouncing the ex-senator as a "sneak.
it formally reads him out Of the party. The
ex-senator" it says "is out Of the Democratic
party, and IL 1t has ordinary wisdom II will
keep him out. If the Republican party wants
"Mr Hill it is welcome to him: the Democratic
party can make no use Of sneaks." That APP
pears. so 10 speak. TO settle the gentemans hash.
If he wants TO get back into the Democratic
party he must make application at the office of
1.-The New-York Journal" the only regularly &C.
credited organ of the party in this city.
These be parous times, indeed, for the once
proud and united Newiork Democracy. They
cannot agree on Free Silver. and unless they
do the friends Of Free Silver will not unite on
Free Rum. Meantime the burning question APP
pears 10 be, Is ex-senator Hill sneak: