The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-15
D. B. HILL URGES HARMONY
PRESIDENTIAL BEE Is BUZZiNG
STRONG IN HIS BONNET,
And He Wants Democrats TO Drop
Their snicLersnees and DirI<s Be-
fore the Next Campaign.

NEW YORK, April 1.-THE members OF
the Democratic Club tonight commemo-
rated the birthday of Thomas Jefferson
with a reception at the clubhouse. 1t was
looked upon among the Democrats of the
city and State as a harmony meeting.
David B. Hill, who had not visited the club
for a number of years, was the chief orator
of the evening. and in his speech he called
upon Democrats to unite in harmony.
Perry Belmont, whose differences with
Mr.. Bryan and Mr.. Croker have kept him
away from the club for three years. was
also there. Lewis Nixon, the new leader
of Tammany Hall, introduced Mr.. Hill,
who said, in part:
why should we divide over the ques-
tionable utterances of modern party plat
forms, largely designed TO meet temporary
emergencies which soon pass away, when
we are all united upOp the rock-bottom
and fundamental doctrines of our faith
intended TO last as long as our government
itself shall endure?
why should there be factional quarrels
over details when we are all united upon
essentials?
ut is the part of wisdom for the Democ-
racy TO push to the front the issues upon
which there is substantial unanimity and
ignore those in regard 10 which there are
such serious and honest differences of opin-
ion must be fatal to practical success.
The administration of President Roose-
welt is all at sea. 1t has no fixed policies
and no conscientious convictions. 1t
'wabbes' upon every public question with
which it assumes to deal. The meSsa ges
and public addresses of the President are
merely elaborate treatises upon elementary
questions of government containing moth
ing new and nothing definite. He has no
policy III opposition To that of Congress
and is prepared to approve whatever Con-
gress does.
I'VE have learned to distrust the utter
ances of Republican Presidents upon tariff
questions, because they are evidently not
their own masters but largely controlled
by the great tariff interests which usually
dictate the Republican tariff legislation OF
this country.
IF any relief whatever to Cuba shall be
secured from the present administration II
will be due TO the decided stand taken by
the Democrats in Congress in insisting that
justice should be done.
The policy of the administration in the
Philippine islands is disgrace to civiliza-
ton. The attempt with regard to these
possessions TO initiate the foreign policy OF
England has proved dismal failure.
''The administration will send its specia
representatives TO witness the coronation
OF king but IT has words of sympathy
TO express for the brave farmers of Soutt
Africa who are heroically struggling tC
maintain their republics
Republican incompetency to deal with
the financial question is almost self-con-
fessed. 1t was ostentatiOusly proclaimed
that the gold standard had been unaltera-
bly, and successfully adopted by the Nc
kinley administration. and now we are
told that new and additional legislation is
imperatively required for that purpose and
in order to preserve the honor and credit
of the country.
Hills speech was interrupted by frequent
bursts of applause. At it's conclusion Con
gresham James NJ. Griggs. of Georgia
chairman of the congressional committee
spoke, advocating unity and predicting sue
cess for the party if internal differences
were forgotten.
Gen. Joseph Wheeler followed in a speech
urging harmony, and Edwin NJ Shepard
eulogized ID. B. Hill and w. ]. Bryan.