New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-30
UHAT PRACTICAL MEN WANT MOTT.

The fatal mistake of nearly all estimates as
to the probable votes Of New York Connect
cut and New-JerSey next fall is that the temper
of business men is not sufficiently considered.
| There has not been contest for twenty years
| in which the interests of merchants, manuiac-
turers, artisans, labonng men, investors and
bankers were more clearly involved than in the
one now pending. Not for twenty years have
such voters shown kcencr appreciation of
| those interests. or stronger disposition to
protect them In short, this is emphaticaly a
business mems fight. They will take good
care that it does not go against them in States
where their influence is as great as it is in
New-Y York, Ncw-Jersey and Connecticut
To-day there is great prosperity in the
land. Men may have differed widely as to
the wisdom of Republican measures. They
may differ widely now as to the extent
to which wise legislation has caused
the existing prosperity. They do not differ
about one thing practical men want no over
turning of the conditions under which that
prosperity has come to pass. Whether they
were infiationists or haId-money men two
years ago, they want no meddling with the
currency now. Whether they have been Pro-
tectionists or Free Traders in theory, practical
men insist with great .arnestness that they
want no meddlIng with the tariff at
this time. Some have favored and
others opposed the National bank
ing system In times past. But they
stand together as one man IN declaring that
they want no such financial earthquake as
would be brought about by the uprOOting of
the banking system which the Democrats.
have pers.sLently attempted Business men do
not want change. If they have power to
prevent it, there will be no risk of change
such as Democratic success would threaten,
in the financial, industrial and commercial
policy of the country. This is practical COM
mon sense-nOt to begin overturning things,
just when affairs are going well.
The sagacity of Mr.. IIlden will hardly be
questioned by his own party. -Four years ago
he addressed himself especially to the need
of change which was then strongly felt in
business circles. Confidence in his business
ability gave him the votes of many thousand
Republicans in the doubtful Eastern States.
But Mr.. Tiden himself predicted that the re-
turn to specie payments would be followed
by period of great prosperity, during which
it would be impossible to induce the country
to vote for change. The prosperity has
come. And the Democratic party, during the
past four years, has been doing almost every
thing in It's power to make change dreaded
by business men. 1t has voted by over
whelming majorities for an overthrow of the |
banking system. 1t has tried to initiate and |
debase the currency and to prevent resump-
ton. 1t has labored to set aside and virtually |
repudiate solcmn public pledges upon
which the National credit has been so grandly |
uplifted. 1t has struggled year after year to |
batter down the tariff, so that q food of for |
egn goods might come III unchecked. More |
over, that party has nos only tired to NEEDLE |
at the wrong time, but it has proposed not a |
single wise measure. Every intelligent Free |
Trader IN the country has CONDEMNED the crude. |
rash and destructive bills which the Demo |
Gratis have proposed. Every competent BIZ |
metalist on both sides of the ocean has con-
DENIED the laundering course with regard to sill |
yer coinage, in which Democratic Congress |
persists. Its currency bills have been laughed |
at by Democratic statesmen and cursed by |
Democratic business men. Its clamOr against |
the National banks, and its refusal 10 lift |
from them unreasonable taxes, while throw
ing away One-third of the tax on tobacco, |
have caused sober and practical Democrats by |
the thousand TO ask themselves, " Do we dare |
" to trust our party to manage the finances n |
Practical men do not want a change at this |
time. If they did, 1t would not be the sort of |
change which Democrats in power would give |
us. They are talking with each other, and |
with their woraingmen and neghbors. in |