Sunday Washington globe., 1902-04-20
Democratic Rallying Crv-Unity,

Hon. David Bennett Hill, in defining the
theories of government as contemplated by
the founder of American Democracy (the
immortal aut! o of the Declaration of In
dependence, Thomas Jefferson), used the
following language at recent banquet in
New York:
'Oue of the great problems which is now
presented to the peoplefo their solution
is how shall Jefferson's sentiments be
utilized for the prevention Of the evils
which he foreshadowed? II is not a ques-
tiou for political jugglery. 1t is not
question to be lightly dismissed. It is an
elementary proposition which the wisdom
of experience has abundantly confirmed
and which, even if these days Of unparal-
leled business combinations and specua-
tions, ought not to be disputed, that what.
ever tends 10 create a MONOPOLY and to
prevent legitimate competition between
those engaged in a business impressed
with public or quasi-public character is
opposed to a sound public policy.
1T is not for the true interest Of any com
munity that few men should be the EN-.
poyes and that the great body should be
employees or servants, and this is especially
not desirable in a republic, where It should
be the policy of the laws to multiply rather
than reduce the numbers engaged in indie
pendent pursuits and in the profits of pro-
duction
I'm a free republic like ours an equality
of fortunes among our citizens is believed
to be desirable and industrial liberty tends
toward that result, and hence is essential
It is perhaps difficult to predict how
Jefferson, if he were alive to-day, would
meet the difficulties which we encounter.
We venture to suggest that he would insist
upon some reasonable Limitation upon the
amount of corporate capital which might
be invested in a single corporation.
"Jefferson's teachings might suggest
limitation upon the amount of dividends
which could be lawfully declared or upon
the profits which could be legally accu-
mulated by these tremendous business
organizations Or he might demand that
the Government. in justice to its overbur-
dened taxpayers, should withdraw its tariff
favors from the infant industries repre-
sented by these institutions, whose pro.
iectors are already rolling in wealth and
are astonishing the world by the munifi-
cence Of their private benefactions
we may we'll believe that Jefferson, who
was equal to every emergency in the early
history Of the country would, if he were
in power, find some appropriate and ade-
quate remedy to curb the rapacity and re-
strict the dangerous power of these gi-
gantic combinations"
And as the successor. we hope, in the
Presidential chair Of Jefferson and his an
tithesis, Theodore Roosevelt, no living
statesman to day in the American Republic
is more splendidly equipped to carry out
these reforms in the interests of the masses
than David Bennett Hill.
On the subject of colonial extension Mr..
Hill said:
1T is safe to believe that Jefferson would
never have favored an expansion Of uor
| jurisdiction which did not carry with il the
provisions of our Constitution, to which
he was 50 devotedly attached and which
he defended so vigorously with his voice
and pen. He would unquestionably have
viewed with adherence the establishment
/ Of permanent American colonial system.
whether contained under military rule or
under civil authority appointed by the
central government at Washington. His
theory was unquestionably the Democratic
:
has no more authority 10 create a permanent
colonial system than it has the right to
create king" q
And here is the keynote of coming sue
cess for the Democratic party if il will be
advised and follow the leadership Of this
sagacious statesman.
Why should we divide over the ques-
tionable utteTances Of modern party plat.
forms, largely designed to meet temporary
emergencies, which soon pass away when
we are all united upon the rock-bottom and
fundamental doctrines of our faith, Intended
to last as long as our government itself
shall endurel
Why should there be factional quarrels
over details when we are all united upon
essentials
1t is the part Of wisdom for the Democ-
racy to push to the front the issues upou
which there is substantial unanimity. and
ignore those In regard to which there are