The Ravalli Republican. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1894-1899, 1897-07-21
DAVID d. HILL.
Talks About the Hard Times aud Decrics
De1nagOgislu.


Talks About the Hard Times aud Decrics
De1nagogisln.
The New York Sun quotes from
ex-senator Hill's Fourth Of July
oration at Oswego, n. Y, as fol
lows:
II realize as keenly as anyone the
burdens and sufferings which pertain
to the present hard times, the con-
tinued depression which affects all
business, the difficulty OF obtaining
renumerative employment, and the
hardships which are continually i'm
posed upon the extreme poor and
those in moderate circumstances.
But while regretting these condi-
tions, which have unfortunately come
upon the country about every quarter
OF a century since our existence as a
nation, and which are not confined to
this country alone, but exist largely
everywhere, I beg to remind you that
they cannot be alleyiated by parti-
san misrepresentation, by plausible
but false theories of their cause, by
attacking those in official station, by
arraying class against class, by rail
ing against capital, or by sowing seeds
Of public discomfort. ltis in such
times as these that demagogues
thrive; it is in just such times that
they should be stunned. Their de
nunciations, their appeals,' and their
soplristries afford no genuine relief,
but only aggrayate the situation.
They are utterly powerless for good,
but potent for mischief. They can
lead men .astray, but they cannot
correct a single real or imaginary
grievance under which men suffer.
They are usually possessed Of glib
tongues, and while profuse with hon
eyed words in their professions OF
friendship for the cause Of labor have
never been known to contribute one
idea toward the solution OF labOr's
great problem, or to recommend, aid,
or secure the enactment Of single
measure for the amclioration Of
workingmen or the advancement Of
their welfare.
sit is strange, indeed, and the
times must be out of joint when such
men can find listeners and secure a
following among reputable working
men and intelligent farmers. 1t is a
time for plain words. There is too
much demagogism abroad in the
land, there is too much false doctrine
taught pertaining to zeVerhmeIinaA
functions; there is too much en-
'couragement Of the split Of socialism
and all that it implies, including
communistic and chim.rical schemes
for Social Democracy SO called;
there is too much tol3ration Of dis
respect for courts and constituted
authorities; there is too much clamor
for class legislation; there is too much
inculcanation of the dea that men
can become rich without effort by the
mere fat of the government, instead
Of earning wealth in the good, old
fashioned way; and there is too much
attention paid to clanks, blather-
sixties, and political sdventurers, en-
titled to no consideration, but who
seem to have obtained the public
ear, and are seeking to pull down the
pillars Of society.
II confess that know Of no adc-
quate remedy for hard times within
the power Of the government to be-
stow. / do not assume to be wiser
then our fathers, who confessed a
like inability in wo'se times than
these.
sit is difficult to diagnose accu.
rately the causes Of tlc nations ills.
This much, however, is clear; the
restoration of business confidence is
the paramount need of the hour.
Croaking in such times will not give
us relief; recriminat ons will do nc
good; we must look to the careful
prudent, intelligent men of all classes
to solve the difficulties in the light OF
the experiences of tie past; profcs
sional labor agitators cannot furnish
q days work to a single unemployed
laborer, and theoretical politica
evangelists, who pretend SO thorough
ly to comprehend The money ques
tion, but whose only stock in trade is
their tine-spun theories and severe
criticism of successful men, have
usually not q dollar to invest in any
legitimate business.
"Ipstead Of yielding to desponden
cy, let us look to the future with hope
and courage. Let US lend a helping
hand to the unfortunate. Let u
endeayor to create work for the I'm
employed. Let us encourage men o
means to embark in new enterprises