The state herald., 1901-04-05
Commoner Comment.
Extracts From W. J. Bryans Paper

ON DANGEROUS GROUND.

l
Hon. David B. Hill. like ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland, was invited to the din
ner given short time ago by the Cres-
cent Democratic club of Baltimore, and
like Mr.. Cleveland he sent his regrets.
The letter which he wrote for that oc-
casion contains several sentences
which indicate that Mr.. Hill is on
dangerous ground. He seems to con-
fess the criticisms made against the
democratic party by the republicans
and by the democrats who opposed the
ticket.
He says Labor and capital should
be equally respected, but neither
should be unnecessarily assailed.' The
democratic party has never been ac-
cused Of assailing labor, but 1t is
favorite pastime with the republicans
to accuse 1t of assailing capital. The
democratic party distinguishes be-
tween legitimate accumulations and
predatory wealth, but whenever pre-
datory wealth is attacked it tries to
shield itself behind honest capital.
Mr.. Hill says Opposition to dan
gerous corporate combinations should
not be allowed to degenerate into in
discriminate attacks upon chartered
AiShts. hdl 10 dlluoSl luNhbiNai V'N"
the language used by the republicans
in defending the trusts. They are al
ways careful to assure the public that
they condemn "hurtful," injurious
and dangerous" combinations, but
they are solicitous about vested rights
and are fearful lest the attacks may
be "indiscriminate." The language
used by Mr.. Hill is generally en-
ployed by those who have no remedy
to propose for the trusts, but oppose
any remedy suggested.
But he gets even nearer to the re-
publican line, II possible. when he
says, THE people want a safe and con-
servative administration of public az
fairs" That is just exactly what the
republicans always promise. safe
and rvative''-everybody wants a
safe administration and conservatism
is an almost universal trait. But the
republicans prate so much about safe
ty" and Conservatism" that demo-
crat ought not TO use the terms with
out explaining what he means by
them.
Mr.. Hill adds: There must be no
question OF our intention TO fearlessly
maintain the national credit under any
and all circumstances" As the demo-
cratic party has never attacked the
national credit that advice is gratuiti-
Gus unless Mr.. Hill means TO condemn
the Chicago and Kansas City plat
forms; and II such is his intention. he
ought TO make the attack openly and
boldly.
In another part OF the letter he says:
We should conciliate rather than an
tagonize the great business interests
OF the country" How is this concilia-
tion to be accomplished? The policies
advocated by the democratic party are
as good for the ordinary business man
as they are for the laboring man or
the farmer. but the great railroad in
:erests are opposed TO the democratic
party because the party opposes eNtor-
tionate rates. rebates and discrimina-
tons; because II opposes watered
stock and fictitious capitalization. II
cannot conciliate these interests with
out abandoning the people generally.
Mr.. Wells o. St. Louis was nomi-
mated TO please the business inter-
ests"-they would not be satisfied with
a candidate who had voted the demo-
cratic ticket or who was willing to ad-
init that he believed In democratic
principles. Shall We teach them demo-
cratic principles or at their demand
abandon democratic principles7
Mr.. Hill Is SC skilful in the use OF
words that he should have no difficulty
in making his meaning plain. II is not
necessary for him to borrow republi-
can phraseology. He owes II TO the
party TO give expression to his views
in clear and unambiguous language.
II he joins with Mr.. Cleveland. Mr..
Whitney ct al. In their effort TO repub-
licanize the democratic party he will
be tower OF strength to their side. II
he intends to cast In his lot with the
six millions and more who kept the
faith in 1896 and 1900 he should avoid
the verbiage that republicans and gold
democrats have employed TO conceal
their sinister purposes