The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-15
HILL ON JEFFERSON
NEW YORK DEMOCRATS HOLD
HARMONY MEETING.
DlSAFFECTED ONES RETURN.
GRIGGs OF GEORGIA ADVOCATED
PARTY UNITY.

~ SeHersoh-Ihe Lauters Doc
trines APPLIED to Combines and
Colonial Expansion Abandon
Temporary Issues and Platforms
and Invite All Democrats to Unite
Upon the Fundamental Doctrines
of the Party, Said Hill.
New York. April 1.-THE members
of the Democratic Club tonight COM
memorated the birthday of Thomas
Jefferson with reception at the club
house. 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 MIR. Hill.
who spoke as follows
Mr.. Hills Address.
Mr.. HILL among other things, spoke
of the question Of combinations of
capital. He said:
"One of the great problems which
IS now presented to the people for their
solution is how shall Jeffersons senti-
ments be utilized for the prevention
Of the evils which he foreshadowed?
IL is not question for political Jug
giery. 1t Is not question to be lightly
dismissed.
at is an eIanantar,y nro,,osi.;o,.
which the wisdom of experience has
| abundantly confirmed and which, even
in these days of UNPARALLELED
business combinations and spec
ulations ought not to be dis
puted, that whatever tends to
create monopoly and to prevent leglt-
innate competition between those en-
gagged in a business impressed with a
public or quasi-public character is OPP
posed to sound public policy.
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 corpor-
ale capital which might be invested in
a single corporation.
Jefferson's teachings might suggest
| a limitation upon the amount of the
dividends which could be lawfully de-
clared or upon the profits which could
be legally accumulated by these ire
mendous business ORDINATIONS. Or he
might demand that the government. in
justice to its overburdened taxpayers
should withdraw its tariff favors from
the infant industries represented by
these institutions whose projectors are
already rolling in wealth and are
astonishing the world by the munih-
cence of their private benefactions.
We may well believe that Jeffer-
son, who was equal to every emergency
in the early history of our country.
would, If he were in power find some
appropriate and adequate remedy to
curb the rapacity and restrict the dan-
gerous power of these gigantic COM
binations."
Jefferson ON Extension.
On the subject of colonial extern
sion. Mr.. Hill said:
1T is safe to believe that Jefferson
would never have favored an expan-
sion of our jurisdiction which did not
carry with it the provisions of our
constitution. to which he was so de-
votedly attached and which he defend
ed so vigorously with his voice and
pen He would unquestionably have
viewed with adherence the establish
ment of permanent American colon
military rule or under civil authority
appointed by the central government
at washington. His theory was UNI
questionably the Democratic doctrine
OF to-day-that this government has no
more authority to create a permanent
colonial system than it has the right
TO create a king.
Jefferson as the friend of popular
rights Favored provision in the fed
constitution fA..
united states senators by the peopie
OF the respective states. but temporarily
yielded his views rather than imperiI
the adoption of that instrument.
JEFFERSON believed in honest men.
In honest methods and in honest gov
eminent. He would have uprooted
corruption had it existed in either ma
ton, state or municipality.
The Need of the Time.
These considerations naturally lead
10 the suggestion that it is peculiarly
our duty as it should be our pleasure
at the present time to invite Demo-
Gratis of character, standing ana IN
huence to identify themselves with or
ganized movements for party success,
for the promotion of the true princi-
pies of Jeffersonian Democracy and
the elevation of the standards of .he
public service
why should we divide over the
party platforms, largely designed to
meet temporary emergencies which
soon pass away, when we are all unit
ed upoG- the rock bottom and funda-
mental doctrines of our faith intended
to last as long as our government it.
self shall endure?
why should there be fractional
quarrels over details when we are all
united upon essentials?
1T is the part of wisdom for the
Democracy to push to the front the
issues upon which there is substantial
unanimity, and ignore those in regard
to which there are such serious and
honest differences of opinion as must
be fatal to practical success.
The Administration All at Sea.
THE administration of President
Roosevelt is all at sea. 1t has no fixed
policies and no conscientious convic-
tons.
IF any relief whatever to Cuba
shall be secured from the present adj
ministration it will be due to the de-
cided stand taken by the Democrats
in Congress in insisting that justice
should be done.
THE policy of the administration in
the Philippine Islands is a disgrace to
civilization. The attempt with regard
to these possessions to. initiate the for
eign policy If England has proved a
dismal failure.
The administration win send its
CONTINUED on Fifth Page.)