The Saint Paul globe., 1902-02-17
DFMocRATIC REUNION.

1t was Samuel j. Tilden who declared
ican could adopt in choosing the right
| course in disputed national policies was
| to act in adherence to the fundamental
| doctrines enunciated by Jefferson. No
statesman since the early days of the
republic governed his conceptions Of pub
lie duty more completely by recognized
Jeffersonian standards than d6d Tilden.
AS recklessly illuminated by the op-
ponents of Democracy as Jefferson him
self, Tilden's death appears to have been
necessary, as was Jefferson's. to convince
even many Of the adherents of the party
that his humanity embraced every class
and condition of human society and above
all looked to the social and political well
fare of his poor and lowly fellow man.
The name of Samuel J. TiIden is a safe
railying point for the divided hosts of
the Democracy. We Of this generation
may entertain different concepts of the
teachings Of the great master; but we
cannot fail to secure such enlightenment
from the life and teachings of Tilden as
will enable US to dissipate differences and
adjust disputes.
1t is well that the first serious effort
made at party unifcation since the cleo
tons Of 1900 should originate with a
body of Democrats who had chosen the
name of TiIden as their beacon light,
We can all seek a common platform in
the character and opinions of the sage OF
Grammercy Park.
The gathering of Brooklyn Democrats
on Saturday night to do honor to the
memory of Tilden was an occasion of
promise for the party. Democrats ev-
erywhere should feel grateful. The
greatest orator now living among the
American people was there to teach in a
convincing way the lesson which Tilden's
career carries with it to Democrats in
times of division and disaster. And he
did his work in such way as to put to
shame such men as Grover Cleveland,
David B. Hill and William ]. Bryan. t h
Globe thanks Bourke Cochran in the
to see his party united. While Hill and
Cleveland, in their futile incubation of
presidential ambitions, more or less ad-
died, contented themselves with writing
letters of declination. and while Bryan
showed the sapiency of young editor
by transmitting a weak and vengeful ed
itorial Cochran emitted trumpet call
to all Democrats.
This is a worthy prelude to the meet
ing of Feb. % announced to take place
at the New York Manhattan club. Demo
Gratis from all over the country will as
semble, there. The main object of the
gathering is to evoke some common SEN
timent through which the party may be-
come united. Fittingly enough the oc-
casion finds its inspiration in the teach
ings of Washington and Jefferson 1t
should not pass without leaving the party
in better condition than it is today. 8
T he Globe has repeatedly given ex-
pASSSAOi4 ~ Tic tAtOdS Ii tAAeat III 1lS pres
ent situation the rank and file of the
party are looking to the men whom they
have lifted into positions of leadership.
In most cases they look in vain, because
ambitious Democrats. like most other
ambitious men. are too often inoculated
with the virus of worldliness, and FIRST
consult their fears and then their hopes,
and thus allow the momentous occasion
to pass. But the people win themselves
be heard, as they were in 1874 and 1876,
if the leaders are not. and they viii, too.
find a prophet to give voice to their opin-
ions, as they found him in Tilden.
Meanwhile. let Democrats be of good
cheer. The American people have made
great sacrifices for constitutional gov
ernment. They viii not let it perish. If
the Democratic party is not to be the
agent Of its preservation, the masses
Will look elsewhere and viii find that
agent.
Republican reformers in New York city
are greatly worked up just at this time
on the subject of the Raines law hotels.