New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-31
rs 4 fNGEn WANTKDa

Those who "want change" when asked for
what reason, usually point to the Democratic
platform respecting the tariff. Since that
platform evidently does not tell the truth as
to the int tions Of the party regarding the
money question, and if they thought 1t did
four-ffths OF the Democratic voters would
abandon that party at once, full faith cannot
be placed in the mere professions Of the
party on other matters But in regard to
taxation the real aim of the Democratic party
is known from its acts. 1t does want
change The great majority of its voters are
hostile to the protective system, by means OF
which it has been the aim of Republican
statesmen to build up manufactures and to
promote healthy diversity OF industries. But
the acts Of a majority of Democratic repre-
sentatiyes on many occasions, and the known
elements which compose that party. prove
that it really means to make a more violent
and radical change than it's platform dares to
propose.
What sort of change do sensible business
men desire Some wish notifications of de-
tall the cutting down Of duties which they
think have become needless or excessive.
Others oppose the protective system as a whole,
revenue But are there any who want a
sectional tariff, framed under the dictation
and for the especial benefit of the South
That Is the sort of change which the Demo
cratic party is likely to make, if it ever has
power to make any. Between friends and
foes Of existing duties on particular articles
there may be intelligent discussion, and be-
tween those who favor or oppose the system
of duties for incidental protection. But
Democratic tariff ought to be opposed as
well by the intelligent Free-Trader as by
the intelligent Protectionist. Either would
devise if he could, a tariff calculated, accord
ing TO his belief, to build up and benefit the
whole country. The Democratic party, If it
had the power, would enact tariff designed
to restore, Increase and perpetuate the
former dependence of the country upon the
South.
What is sectional tariff 1t is one framed
in the interest of single section. He who
seeks the promotion of iron or cotton manu-
facture, for example, aims to develop re-
sources and build up needed industries at the
South as well as at the North, and even more,
as it happens, only because the South has vast
undeveloped deposits of iron and coal, and
grows vast QUANTITIES Vi cOttOH, WHICH ufe
transported thousands of miles to be worked
into cloth for Southern wearing. But the
policy of the South is now and ever has been
to develop the planting interest at the ex-
pense of all others. The Southern Democrat
of to-day votes for high duties on sugar,
bemp. rice aud tobacco, In order to give the
planters all possible advantages. But he then
votes against duties on salt, or iron, or wool,
or wheat, or manufactured goods, and against
internal taxes on tobacco, in order that the
rest of the country may be kept as far de-
pendent as possible upon Southern agriculture
for its prosperity. THIS Is not free trade nor
protection. 1t Is not a national policy, but
policy of sectional selfishness and aggranaize-
ment. But 1t is precisely the policy which
has governed every attempt to change. tho
tariff since the Democratic party gained the
majority in the House. And this Is not
unnatural. For the Democratic party IL now
a. 1t has been for thirty years, the party Of
the South. From that section 1t gets nearly