The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-15
hOCRATS At ONE
ON THE ESSENTIALS
Then Why Should They Divide
Over Details.
HILL ON GREAT ISSUES
He Indicates the Course That Jeffer.
son Would Pursue.
REvIvING CONFIDENCE IN DEMOCRACY
A Change of Measures and Men Seems to be
ImperatveIy Demanded by the Best
interests of State and
Country.
(By the Associated Press.)


New York, April 14.-David B. Hill ad-
dressed the Democratic Club of New
York here tonight. Mr.. Hill, among 9TH
er things, spoke of the question of COM
binations of capital. He said:
"One of the great problems which is
now presented to the people for their
solution is how shall Jefferson's senti-
ments be utilized for the prevention OF
the evils which he foreshadowed? 1t is
not a question of political jugglery 1t
is not question to be lightly dismissed.
1T is an elementary proposition which
the wisdom of experience has abundantly
confirmed and which, even if these days
of unparalleled business combinations and
speculations ought not to be disputed
that whatever tends to create monopoly
and to prevent legitimate competition
between those engaged in business i'm
pressed with a public or quasi public
character, is opposed to a sound public
policy.
1T is perhaps difficult to predict how
Jefferson, 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 corporate capital
which might, be invested in single cor
poration.
"Jeffersons teachings might suggest
Limitation upon the amount of dividends
which could be lawfully declared or upon
the profits which could be legally accu-
mulated by these tremendous business
organizations, or he might demand that
the government, in justice to it's over
burdened tax payers, 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
munificence of their private benefac-
tions.
I'VE may we'll believe that Jefferson,
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 lapacity
and restrict the dangerous power of these
gigantic combinations"
On the subject of colonial extension
Mr.. Hill said:
sIt is safe to believe that Jefferson
would never have favored an expansion
of our Jurisdiction which did not carry
tion to which he was so devotedly at
tached and which he defended so vigo-
rously with his voice and pen. He would
Unquestionably have viewed with abhor-'
ence the establishment of a permanent
American colonial system whether con-
tanned under military rule or under civil
authority appointed by the central gov
ernment at 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 q king.
Jefferson. as the friend of popular
rights. favored a provision in the Fed
eral Constitution for the election OF
United States Senators by the people of
the respective States, but temporarily
Welded his views rather than imperil the
adoption of that instrument.
Jefferson believed in honest men, in
honest methods and in honest govern
ment He would have uprooted corrup--
tion had it existed in either nation,
State or municipality.
"These considerations naturally lead
to the suggestion that it is peculiarly our
duty as it should be our pleasure at the
present time to invite Democrats OF
character, standing and influence to
identify themselves with organized
movements for party success, for the
promotion of the true principles of JEFF
ferson and Democracy and the elevation
of the standards of public service.
why should we divide over the ques-
tonable utterances of modern party plat
forms, largely designed to meet tenn
porary emergencies which soon pass
away when we are all united upon 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 quar-
rels over details when we are all united
upon essentials?
Democracy to punch the four issues upon
which there is substantial unanimity,
and ignore those in regard to which
there are such serious and honest diff
ferences of opinion as must be fatal to
practical success.
1.-The administration of President
Roosevelt is all at sea- 1t has no fixed
policies and no conscientious conyic-
tions.
IF any relief whatever to Cuba shall
be secured from the present administra-
tion it will be due to the decided stand