The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-09

advantage. But when party which has had
no access to the treasury cries up its own
honesty the eulogies it pronounces upon itself
are apt to be taken with some abatement.
The democratic party is gaining ground by the
exposed faults of its adversaries
Not that themselves are wise, but Others weak.
Though it be out of their power to
accredit their honesty by any better evidence
than their own certificates, they ought to
bring more Trustworthy credentials Of their
capacity and craftsmanship. Political princi-
pies and proposed public measures can be ex-
amined and intelligently judged of without
waiting to see them in practical operation.
The democratic leaders at the Manhattan
Club propounded nothing in any such tangi-
BILE shape Us to permit of exact inquiry into
its merits. Free trade was shouted as
battle-cry but as this well sounding
phrase was not defined, it was only
shout What is meant by free trade
II they propose to raise the public reve-
nue. by internal taxes instead of taxes on
foreign commerce, they could not select q
policy which the country would be more GER
tain to reject But if three hundred millions
are to be annually raised by duties on i'm
ports it is all in vain to set up de-
mand for low tariff It is like q child
crying for the moon. Great Britain, the
model free trade country, raises only one-third
Of her revenue by customs duties. Does the
democratic party propose that, like Great
tain CHI
by internal taxes? The democratic cd.
vocates of free trade are bound to
tell the country specifically how they
propose to raise the revenue, 50 that the peo-
pie may have definite proposition to discuss.
In the days of democratic ascendancy the
government raised all its revenue by taxes on
foreign commerce and the sale of public lands,
and if the party is going to discredit ita former
policy the country would like to hear
something on the subject less empty than
vague, underlined phrase. If this party does
not propose to adopt the British meth ID nor
to readopt the old democratic method curl
GUS public would like to know, in distinct
general outline, at least, what the practical
method is by which they expect to fill the
treasury and meet the public obligations.
Another issue which was made prominent
at the Manhattan Club was sound currency.
This u.s. undoubtedly, subject of the first
magnitude, the most important practical ques-
ton which at present engages public atten-
ton. But it is not easy to see how the demo-
Gratis can make much Of it as o party ISSUE
In the West it will damage more than it will
help them. In the East the republicans are
unanimous against imitation. and no preference
between the two parties can be founded on
that question. For illustration, take the
State of New York. ALI the hopes of the
democracy are staked upon gaining and keep
ing an ascendency in this State. Unless
they can do this they must hang their harps
upon the willows and sit down by the waters
of Babylon. And, what concerns them
more nearly, they must gain control of the
State in the election of this year, or great
extinguisher will be put upon all their hopes
for the next Presidential election. But what
can anti-infation do for them in this State
this year? With President Grants applauded
veto and Governor Dix's vigorous anti-infla-
ton message in fresh recollection, what repub-
ican can be won into the democratic ranks on
that issue?
The democratic leaders attest their sagacity
and the soundness of their political thinking
in this, that they perceive the need of afirma-
tive practical issues for the redemption of the
party. Without such issues they are on
board q sailing vessel without wind to watt it.
But this great, this indispensable requisite of
success may not be supplied by the meeting Of
the Manhattan Club. In their search after
promising issues they are like the pious Crop
ing heathens described by st. Paul on Mars
Hill:-'That they should seek the Lord, if
haply they might feel after Him and find
Him.