Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-11
David B. Hill.

Quite recently it was suggested in New
York that David B. Hill should come
from his retirement and again lead the
democracy of the Empire state. Why. 1t
was asked, should he not again aspire
to the presidency, and go to the demo-
cratic national convention at the head of
the New York delegation? In an editorial
On the subject. highly and deservedly
eulogistic of Mr. Hill and his services to
the party, the Albany Argus says:
ITO couple any mans name with the
presidency of the United States is a COM
pIiment. and in this case there Is no rea-
son to doubt that the proponents of 1t so
meant it; but where a man has been In the
past SO active in politics as Mr. Hill has
been. there are always those who are
willing to believe that his retirement Is
not sincere and final, and to seize upon
any excuse to hint that they never took
any stock in 1t.
'Inasmuch as Mr.. Hill has not the re-
hottest intention of departing from his de-
cision, arrived at maturely and after
much thought, in 1904; ihasmuch IS he
will never again be a candidate for office
or an aspirant for political leadership, In
any way. it would be kinder. and fairer.
for his old friends to respect his wishes
and consider bis retirement as final and
not start gossip Of an unfounded al
though complimentary nature, which gives
rise to a certain amount of mystifcation
on which it is possible for malevolent
misconstruction to rear fabric ....
The temptation for this gossip sprang.
of course. from the present condition Of
the democratic party, not only in New
York state but throughout the country.
An organization which once bOasted
many national leaders is now reduced to
one. In New York it is virtually reduced
to none. For who shall describe its con-
dition there in kindlier terms when note
is made of the fact that "Fingy" Con-
ners and Charles F. Murphy are the boss
es of the machine, and Lieut.. Gov. Chan
Ter has boom for President?
Naturally, many New York democrats
feel Inundated, and are reluctant to be-
lieve that the situation admits of no I'M
mediate improvement. And quite as nat
urally they bethink them of their old
leader-and by far in actual results their
strongest leader since Mr.. Tiiden's time
and would be glad to hear another blast
from his well-known horn.
But the Argus is right, and doubtless in
this matter reflects Mr.. Hills personal
feelings. The world, and particularly the
political world is very suspicious. A
leader who gives his word, or takes his
stand, should hold to it. He should
avoid even the appearance of playing
double. His friends should respect his
wishes, plainly and unequivocally de-
clared. For, whatever their views may
be, or howsoever uhselfish their motives,
when they run counter to his declarations.
suspicion will attach to his own sincerity.
Men will wonder and widen their eyes
and feel that a trick is being played.
Moreover, these are new days in New
York, and it might be that. not even the
old leader could change them. Mr.. Hill.
while properly supported by his party at
home, kept the organization on an even
keel and made progress. Butt at last,
between the Clevelandites and the Cro-
kerites. his power was destroyed. and
since then the New York democracy. both
in local and national matters, has been a
derelict. "a