The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-18

purpose than TO save its own life Will lie
because 1t deserves to die the party
that is willing to die. If need De, for the
sake OF a great cause viii live because
| 1t deserves to live.
| FROM DAVID BENNETT HILL
/ Writing. from 'iWolfert's Roost," Al
bany, David Bennett Hill said in part;
Il knew Mr.. Tilden we'll and intimately
and regarded him as one of the foremost
men of his time, whose unsullied career
reflected credit upon the country and
honor upon his party. / followed his
Leadership when he was alive and cher
| ish his memory now that he is dead. He
was student Of public questions; an
| able statesman. a profound thinker, a
| sagacious politician and q cautious and
prudent political adviser who made few
| mistakes. He was always eonciiiatory,
| always courteous, always just. He.
sought to guide his party on right lines
and in honest paths. His war upon cor
ruption in New York city in 1912 his
| overthrow of the notorious canal ring in
the State in 1876 and his victory for hard
money in the Democratic National Con-
vention of 1876 were among his most
| notable achievements. He believed IN
honest politics, wholly divorced from
| business interests. With high concep-
| tions of public duty he regarded every
citizen, especially every young man, as
under obligation to take an active part
| in public affairs and not leave the direc-
| tion of politics to those who would use
| them for mercenary and selfish purposes.
| Ii he was ambitious it was in the hope OF
| accomplishing something for the general
welfare.
This is my brief description of Tilden
his high ideals and his lofty purposes.
Our party should profit by the example
OF his great career and steadily maintain
the principles which he so ably cham
pioned in his public papers and speeches
and so well exemplifed in his official and
private life.n
A letter Or regret was also read from
J. NJ. Pearson, mayor of Mckinney.
Texas
Following brief welcome by, Chairman
Metz, Ex-Governor Pattison spoke, depre-
eating the policy of the Republicans in
their treatment of Cuba, Porto Rico and
the Philippines. Congressman DeArmond
spoke In the same strain and Lewis Nix
on, Tammany Halls leader asked for a
united Democracy in Brooklyn, New York
city and the states victory in future con-
tests would be assured. Bourke Cock
ran came next. He said:
BoURKE CoCKRANs ADDRESS.
ut seems to me- began Mr. Cochran,
that at this time when many men be-
lieVe the disasters which have overtaken
the Democratic party portend its final
collapse. We will honor Tilden's memory
most fttingly by recalling how he led 1t
from disasters even more crushing thirty
years ago to a series OF Brilliant yicto-
RIGS and a long season of patriotic USE
fulness. If there be any difference in
the conditions Of TIE Democratic party
at the beginning of 1902, and its cond;-
ton ct the close OF 1872 Il is that it,;
prospects now are less desperate than
they seemed to be then. The defeat OF the
party then was so overwhelming that its
final destruction was announced by the
opposition just as Republican orators and
newspapers affect to believe that It's ex-
tinction has been irreversibly decreed by
recent reYerses.
Republican ascendancy seemed so Sc
cure that in 1874 it was difficult to find
a candidate who would accept The cam
Eaign proceeded amid an apathy charac-
teristic Of foregone and inevitable con-
elusion yet when the votes were counted
at the close of a very peaceful and APP
payently lstless election day---it was
found that the ground on which Repub-
lican confidence appeared to rest in abso-
lutte safety had been rent and torn by
a Political earthquake, Republican SUI
I,rernacy was subverted by a revolution
bewiLlering in It's completeness. The
party which had bern pronounced dead
lies unto q new life.
During the twenty years which fol-
loved the Democracy elected its candi
date for the Presidency three times and
twice it inaugurated him. 1t controlled
the House of Representatives continue
ousIy with the exception Of two Con-
crosses"
Mr.. Cochran asked il 1t was ''then IN
reasonable to hope that what has hap
pened before may happen again" And
proceeded TO point out at length that ''if
the Democracy Is TO win it must accept
lesson taught us by Tilden's leadership
in 1874"
"Our opponents said he. differ more
widely In great public questions than
we do, but among Republicans divergence
OF views never Interfere with their CO.
operations in pursuit of office. Their
speeches show radical conflict on every
public questions. on reciprocity. on ship
subsidies, on Imperialism, on the reten
ton Of the Philippines, the the treatment
OF Cuba, yet these differences have never
hindcred them and never will hinder them
| from supporting unitedly and enthusiast
tically the party candidate"
He added:
imperialism with its inseparable OBJ
ject, plumber. was the Issue of 1874 as it
| is and must be the issue now. The same
| predatory purposes dominated the Re-
publican party then that dominate 1t now
| Its defeat is essential to the safety of
| the republic now as 1t was then"
| IF Democrats" said he, remain hut
| faithful to the fundamental principles
| Jefferson formulated. JACKSON maintained
and which Tilden .reviyes, then in 1902,
| Tilden's leadership will receive an en-
dorsement more decisive than Tilden's
| candidacy received in 1871
4 Cat