The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-04-19
JEFFERsoNs BIRTHDAY.
Foroible Speech By David B. Hill.


NEW York, April 14.-The members of the
Democratic Club-the leading Tammany So
cial organization-tonigh commemorated the
birthday of Thomas Jefferson with reception
at the clubhouse 1t was looked upon among
the Democrats of the city and State as har-
mony meeting.
Ex-senator David B. Hill, who had not
visited the club for number of years, was the
orator of the evening. Perry Belmont, whose
differences with Hon. William j. Bryan and
Richard Croker had kept him away from the
club three years, was also there.
Lewis Nixon introduced Mr.. Hill. After de-
filming in his speech the theories of government
as contemplated by the Jefferson and Federal
parties in the early part of the century, Mr..
Hill went on to speak of the question OF COM
binations of capital. He said:
Zone of the great problems which is now
presented to the people for their solution is
how shall Jefferson's sentiments be utilized
for the prevention of the evils which he fore
Swallowed? 1t is not question for political
jugglery. 1t is not q question to be lightly
dismissed. 1t is an elementary proposition
which the wisdom of experience has abundant
ly confirmed, and which, even in these days
of unparalleled business combinations and
wild speculations, ought not to be disputed,
that whatever tends to create monopoly and
to prevent legitimate competition between
those engaged in business impressed with
public or quasi-public character is opposed to
a sound public policy.
sit is not for the true interest of any CON-
munity that few men should be the employ
ers and that the great body should be employees
or servants. This is especially not desirable in
a republic where it should be the policy OF the
laws to multiply rather than reduce the num-
beers engaged in independent pursuits and In
the profits of production.
INDUSTRIAL LIBERTY DESIRABLE.
''In a free republic like ours an equality of
fortunes among our citizens is believed to be
desirable. Industrial liberty tends toward
that result and hence is essential.
at is perhaps difficult to predict how Jef-
erson, if he were alive today, would meet the
difficulties which we encounter. We venture
to suggest that he would insist upon some
reasonable limitation upon the amount OF cor
porate capital which might be invested in a
single corporation. Jefferson's teachings
might suggest limitation upon the amount OF
the dividends which could be lawfully declared
or upon the profits which could be legally ac-
cumuated by these tremendous business or.
CARNATIONS. 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 munifcence of their private benefac-
TONS
NO AUTHORITY FOR COLONIES.
On the subject of colonial extension Mr..
Hill said:
sit is safe to believe that Jefferson would
never have favored an expansion OF our Jurls-
diction which did not carry with it the provis-
ions of our Constitution, to which he was so
devotedly attached and which he defended SO
vigorously with his voice and pen. He would
unquestionably have viewed with adherence
the establishment of a permanent American
colonial system whether contained under mill
tary rule or under civil authority appointed by
the central Government al Washington. His
theory was unquestionably the Democratic
doctrine of today-that this Government has
no more authority to create a permanent
colonial system than it has the right to create
a king.
Jefferson as a friend of popular rights fav-
ored a provision in the Federal Constitution
for the election of Union States Senators by
the people of the respective States, but tenn
porarily yielded his views rather than imperil
the adoption of that instrument We may
rest assured that under the conditions which
exist today throughout the country he would.
if he were alive at this time, advise the adop.
ton of the pending constitutional amendment
designed to secure that result which has al
ready passed the House of Representatives
and is now awaiting action in the Senate.
she believed in honest men, in honest
methods and in honest government. He
would have uprooted corruption had it existed
Al Gtafa Of nauntofnolitv
''wHY SHOULD WE DIyIDEY'
s'These considerations naturally lead to the
suggestion that it is peculiarly our duty, as i
should be our pleasure, at the present time te
invite Democrats of character, standing and
influence 10 identify themselves with organized
movements for party success, for the promo
ton of the true principles Of Jeffersonlan De
mocracy and the elevation of the standards o
the public service.
.sWhy should we divide over the question
able utterances of modern party platforms
largely designed to meet temporary emergen
cies which soon pass away, when we are al
united upon the rock bottom and Fundamental
doctrines of our faith intended to last as Ions
as our Government itself shall endure p? VIII,
should there be factional quarrels over details
when we are all united upon essentials?
sit is the part of wisdom for the Democrat!
to push to the front the issues upon which
there is substantial unanimity and ignore thos'
in regard to which there are such serious ant
honest differences of opinion as must be tata
to practical success.
SAYS CONGRESS CONTROLS ROOSEVELT.
ssThe Administration of President Roosevelt
is all at sea. 1t has no fixed policies and nj
conscientious convictions. 1t 'wabbles' upol
every public question with which J. assumes Il
deal. The messages and public addresses o
the President are merely elaborate treatise
upon elementary questions of government
containing nothing new and nothing definite
He has no policy in opposition to that OF Con
gress and is prepared to approve whateve
Congress does.
1--WE have learned to distrust the utterance
of Republican Presidents upon tariff questions
because they are evidently not their own mas
tiers, but are largely controlled by the grea
tariff interests which usually dictate the Re
publican tariff legislation of this country.
"a DISGRACE TO CIVILIZATION"
sThe policy of the Administration in tn
Philippine Islands is disgrace to civilization
The attempt with regard to these possession
to initiate the foreign policy of England ha
proved dismal failure.
1.-THE Administration will send its specia
representatives to witness the coronation of
king, but it has no words of sympathy to ex
press for the brave farmers of South Africs
who are heroically struggling to maintain thei
republics.
tsRepubcan incompetency to deal with tn
financial question is almost self-confessed. |
was ostentatiously proclaimed that the golc
standard had been unalterably and success
fully adopted by the Mckinley Administration
and now we are told that new and additional
legislation is imperatively required for tina
purpose, and in order to preserve the homo
and credit of the country"