New-York tribune., 1900-08-05
TROUBLE FOR DEMOCRATS.
EXTRACTS FROM AN ARTICLE WRITTEN
BY EX-SENATOR HILL IN 1897.

The truths which ex-senator David B. Hill
wrote for "The Forum" Of February 1897, are
making trouble for tine Democratic campaign
managers They likely to receive wide cir
eulation, as the Republican campaign managers
are unkind enough toward their Democratic
brethren TO take ii for granted that they will be
glad to hear over and over again just what Mr..
Hill thought OF free silver and PopuIisn in 1897
when it seemed as If Mr.. Bryan were buried so
deep that he would not come to the top again.
Some of the extracts from Mr.. Hills article in
The Forum follow:
Unhoy alliances with Porulists must be avoided.
TO change Jenersons sixteen Democratic prin-
cipes for Populistic principle not regarded
A radical change in the Nations, monetary
These only extracts from an article on
THE Future of the Democratic Organization"
as 1t looked to Mr. HUI at that time.
Ex-senator Hill among other things said:
The wisdom of making the silver question prac-
camPagn can was seriously doubted by many nGen-
future welfare. III Is the part OF a wise .
exchange JeltersoHs sixteen Democratic principles
for one Populistic principle was not regarded as
single issue-pnd that one Of questionabe propriety
seemed to be unnecessarily imperilling the fort
unes of a great political party.
Continuing. Mr. Hill wrote:
it was supplemented and augmented by some Of
equally If not still more Objectionable radsal
change In the Nations M mTEoretsIy standard. such
country without adding any other offensive pro-
especisy those Of Tevoiationary and unprece
dented character.
After reviewing the different pIanks, the
former Senator says:
There are other features of this platform which
space forblds any special reference to them. 1t is
sufficient to conclude this line of thought by say
aside from the silver issue, victory wellnigh
InP9sslDie on the Ines marked out by the Chicago
dTeds of thousands of Democrats to whom that
platform was dstasteful nevertheless supported
the ticket upon grounds of regularity expediency
or , other & te]hanie ] grounds satisfactory to them
5tFtS and ther consciences. but who do not desire
the experiment repeated their loyalty Sc
to pardon or excuse the errors OF their psrty In
one campaign, but they will not tolerate them in
ae mist&kes Of The recent contest rust rot be
form must be abandoned or there must be a r6afe-
rlal modihCa ton Of its essential provisions; con-
terests of sect!onalism must give way to the best
interests or the whole country Conciliatign must
prffiEaI instead OF ostTacism; broad and liberal
ale r0ncy @ IN party 1 manager1ent must he adopted
ard sincere efforts made to haTmonze and adjust
honest differences; unholy alliances with Fopuists
return to the fundamental principles OF the party
from from WHICH temporarily it has 30 materially de
which success becomes possible in the future.
And again:
It may he asked: What Of the future of the
Indianapolis orsanization styled the National Dem
ocratic party? I not in it's councils and can
not therefore outline its intentions. 1t originated
protest against the errors and false doctrines
of the Chicago Convention, and If they snail be
tinued and persisted in its existence is liza Dle to
becoming not only factor in future political con
tests but possibly a controlling and successful
power Its platform of principles was admirable
in many respects but its action on the financial
question a disappoint tTnent to many who hoped
that il would adhere 10 the safe and conservative
position assumed in the minority of the
Committee Resolutions at Chicago instead OF
turning a complete sornersault the coinHge
question and declaring in favor of a single gold
standard as the permanent policy Of the Govern
ment. This unexpected action may have strengt IL
cred ii In some quarters. but lost 10 much
support among the Democratic masses.