Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-17
4 SOLACE WANTED.

4 SOLACE WANTED.
What seems to be wanted most just now
is a universal political solace, easy of appli-
cation, and adapted to the wants of all par
ties. One cannot read the newspapers for a
week without remarking the many differen-
ces that exist between men belonging,to the
same party on nearly every issue of public
interest. Democrats disagree with Demo
Gratis as to the best policy to pursue on the
financial question, on the :tariff, and on the
proper treatment of the South. There is
the same diversity of opinion among the Re-
publicans on the same questions. There are
also differences as to the candidates of each
party for the Presidency that threaten to
hopelessly disrupt them unless
some agreement shall be ar
rived at previous to the opening of the cam
paign-some solace that shall heal, or some
sticking plaster that shall cover the frightful
breaches that exist in the parties. It is now
time for the political doctors to got together,
make thorough diagnosis of the case and
prescribe remedy for the disease. We want
10 quacks, but men whos thoroughly under
1tand the science of political healing.
The Democrats have less cause for differ
ences of opinion than their opponents The
tariff question is one on which the party has
always been united. Ever since the forma-
ton of the government it has been the set
tied policy of the party to impose such taxes
Oh imports only as might be necessary to
provide the revenues needed for the conduct
of the government. There has been no
great change in this policy save in the man
ufacturing districts of Pennsylvania and
New England, where self-interest has wrought
a change. But this is uncomfortable COM
pared with the great mass of the party that
still adheres to the old revenue traditions Of
the organization.
On the finances there is more diversity Of
opinion, but little cause for it. Those who
wish for what they denominate "old Demo-
cratic money" can obtain it for the asking
in exchange for greenbacks-a better paper
than State currency was in the old Demo-
cratic days. Those who prefer paper can
get it and keep it without fear that the bank
of issue will suspend and they be subjected
to loss. With specie payments maintained
coin and greenbacks being interchange
able-our financial system will be, and is at
present, better than ever before, for no man
can or need suffer loss by handling it. In
the days when State banks fourished note
issued at st. Paul could not be exchanged at
Chicago save at ruinous discount. Now o
greenback is current at its face value in any
part of the United States, and can be ex-
changed for gold and silver at will. He who
wishes better currency than this must be
hard to please, and we see no reason why
the financial issue need enter in the least
into the coming contest.
AS to the treatment of the South there
should be no quarrel. The situation is
simply this: No matter what errors the peo-
pie of that section have committed in the
past, they have been formally received back
into the Union, and are entitled, under the
laws and the constitution, to all the rights
and privileges that are accorded to any cit1-
zen of the North. They should be protected
from interference in their local affairs and
allowed all the. benefits of citizenship with
out question. We do not see any cause for
disagreement among Democrats on such a
self-evident proposition.
The differences as to candidates are likely
to be more irreconcilable than any other.
Each man has his individual preferences,
and does not feel disposed to fo7ego them
for the general good. The candidates them.
selves, recognizing the fact that the chances
of success are better now than at any time
for twenty years, are making strenuous ef-
forts to bring themselves into prominence,
and are forcing new issues upon the people
issues that had better lie dormant for years
to come-that they may improve their own
prospects for nomination. They ought to
realize that their conduct, while it aids
their success in the convention, will be Ger
tain to injure them before the people.
We need and must have some soothing
potion that will aid in calming the perturbed
spirits and result in producing harmony
where discord now Fexists. It is time that
the medicine was administered, go that il
may work out its full fruition before the
meeting of the national convention, else we
must be content to fight the Presidential
battle with great odds against us.