New-York tribune., 1878-02-07

and fallacies as are used III support Oh
the silver and greenback heresics And 1t Is
not impossible that they may succeed IN last
ening it upon their party. just as they have put
upon 1t their greenback and silver theories.
These notions are all OFF the same piece.
They grow out of the same half views OF things,
and they pander to the same ignorance, preJu-
dice and passion. The n.cn who, III
time of business depression and stag
nant industries, undertake to convince
idle and hungry men who haven't dollar In
their pockets, that they can better then condi-
ton by depreciating the dollar that other men
hold to 90 cents, are just the men to set up a
scheme of taxation based upon an offensive
inoulsitorial tax on personal incomes and in
diyjdual thrift. while they offer relief for dis
tress and poverty by taking off the tax from
whiskcy. The whole thing is consistent and
homogeneous.
The purpose Of such legislation is only too
plain. Democratic leaders. anxious only for
the return of their party to power, and nun
CIV beyond measure for Office patronage and
plundey, see, in looking out upon the country,
a condition of things which bears hard upon
all classes, but with especial severity upon the
workingmen, whO from causes which they DO
not clearly understand. are out OF employ
meni and out of money. 1t would be the
ambition OF honest statesmen to devise
measures of relief so far as possible, aud
beyond that to recommend patience and en-
deayOr to alay discomfort. But it seems to be
the chief aim of our Democratic politicians TO
take advantage of the condition OF affairs,
and not by any means attempt to
remedy or alleviate it. To this end
labor is steadily arrayed against capt.
tai. jealousy and distrust are diligently
cultivated, and the poor constantly stirred up
TO hatred of their more fortunate or more
frugal and industrious neighbOrs. Every meas
urc OF initiation, from the propOsilon-not now
agitated, but only held in abeyance till the
SILVER scheme has made it feasible again-to
issue unlimited greenbacks, down TO the
last and pending one to depreciate the pres
eut dollar s per cent-all have appealed
IN the nrriudce of the ignorant and the jcal-
ousy of the workIngman. Discomfort is not to
bp allayeG but utilized rs weapon OF partisan
warfare How better could the hostility OF
unthinking labor to capital he promoted
than by the cheapening OF whlshey ana
the spread of drunkenness How better
could demagogism and hypocrisy keep
I'D the deceit and win over the unemployed
and discontented than by laying n tax upon
the incomes of the industrious and provident
and fortunate7 Political economists may OBJ
iect to a system of taxation which in this man
per discouases thrift anu lays burdens and
penalties upon successful industry, at
the same time that it encourages and
almost subsidies the production of n
commodity tile effect of which, ~ the ex-
perience of the world teaches, is to im-
povcrish the people and corrupt and demoralize
society. For we believe il to be almost an
axiom in the science of political economy. that
articles OF luxury, and especially stimulants,
shOuld he the first to he taxed, and that the
tax on incomes should he avoided until the
last extremity Our Democratic statesmen. il
will he observed, reverse the order.
There is no excuse and but one explanation
for it. Ii is consistent with the Democratic
PLAN Ii considers nothing except the posi-
bility of taking partisan advantage OF the
condition of the country by fostering class jeal-
ous,cs feuds and contentious, and arraying labor
and caplll in unnatural and ruinous strife. Ii
sets on foot a causeless difference I; keeps il
alive with malicious Misrepresentation and
falsehood. and makes sure the fight will be
kent NJ by tho judicious distribution of free
wh,key. Ii is sngularly comprehensive and
coherent plan. To relieve the distress of the
man who has not dollar in the world, you
strike 10 cents off the value of the dollar
another man happens to have To promote
the prosperity and raise up the industries OF
the country, you tax the income of every
man who puts a lifting shoulder to the
wheel. To feed and clothe the fam
lies of those who are out of employ
ment, You reduce the tax on whiskey. All
together it is fine piece of work. II means
that in the Judgment of Democratic leaders,
the minority of voters are ignorant, and can be
fooled are passionate jealous and revengeful,
and can be used are venal and intempcratc.
and can he won with free whishey. And what
is wanted is simply votes.