New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-05
TWO HILLS.

The Rev. Dr. David B. Hi. OF Albany. in
his sermon AT the Rockland County Fair on
Thursday. I'm a thoroughly Scriptural discourse
laid down a moral law OF politics which must
cause a searching Of heart and bring coh'lo-
ton of sin II his discourse ever happens 10
come to the attention of that politician OF the
same name Ex-Governor and ex-senator David
b. Hill.
The Rev. DR. Hill announced among other
things that. as the result of long and prayerfui
study OF the Holy Scripture, he had conciuded'
I'VE should have the courage of our convlc-
.,ions ON all questions. not yielding to every
apopular fury or freak which comes along.
When he reads this prescription Of public duty
how Dave Hill. the politician. must regret
his failure OF courage in the face OF the popu-
lar fury of Bryanism. In the early summer OF
1896 he held State convention and declared
for sound money. Then he went TO chicago
where the freak Of free silver carried the ma
tional convention. He came back without that
courage OF conviction which the Rev Dr bin
breaches had the State convention, which ne
controlled indorse the Chicago platform or Tree
silver which the organization had just before
declared against and himself supported, albeit
silently and shamefacedly. Bryan and free
silver. About two years thereafter, when II
looked as IL Organism might possibly he thrown
of by the Democracy. Hill. the politician touhd
courage 10 talk in favor of conservatism Dut
when in 1900 Bryan dictated the Endorsement OF
The Chicago doctrines in the Kansas City plat
form. he again yielded TO the freak. How
ashamed must be Hill. the politician. when he
coupares his conduct with the ideal sketched
by DIR. Hill, the divine, in the words: Il have
"a profound respect for public opinion when
s,it is enlightened. discriminating and right.
when il is founded upon some consistent prln-
''ciple but have a supreme contempt for il when
1T is tickle. blind and wrong, when it is devoid
of reason, How be must wish that be had
shown contempt for the tickle, blind and IN
reasonable public craze for free silver, and later
for the equally wrong fury Of socialism TO
which he Welded at the time OF the coal strike.
when he proposed 20 remodel our federal gov
eminent and put it in possession of Pennsyl-
vania's coal fields!
The Rev. DR.. Hills Scriptural remarks must
awaken other painful memories in his name
sake. The divine can find no authority in Holy
Writ for riches except the old fashioned and
scriptural method Of earning" them. but 1t
would puzzle the politician 10 find in the Bible
any authority for taking check from an aque-
duct contractor in payment for the use Of his
influence as Governor in getting that contractor
HIS fob.
Besides any reference to the Scripture is sure
10 call up the Ten Commandments one Of
which Is: Thou shalt not steal" Hill. the poll
tjcian. stole an election, and the Court OF Ap-
meals declared that il stolen and fined
Governor Hills agents who could be reached
for their part I'm the transaction. The Rev DR.
Hill ought 10 do some missionary work on
Hill the politician. Like true prophet. he can
20 10 the point with sinners. Let him wresue
with his namesake. tell him that he should con-
fess his theft his i'll gotten gains and his poit-
ical cowardice. and bring forth fruits meet for
repentance before presuming to ask public con-
hdence either as a political or a moral leader.