New-York tribune., 1882-04-12

tho same shameless demagogism to
the hatred of the Celt for the Teuton,
and in others to the hatred of the white for
the red man. If there is despicable preJu-
dice anywhere in this land, OF which all de-
cent mon are heartily ashamed the Demo-
cratic party has not failed to appeal to that
prejudice, and to stake its existence upon the
strength and permanence of this narrow ana
contemptibe policy. 1t does not succeed, be-
cause the majority of the people OF this c0un-
try do not 40 far dcmean themselves as to
sacrifice all their true interests to blind hat
red of anybody.
Negrophobia was the strongest and mOst
general prejudice to which it was possible lor
the Democratic party to appeal. There Is ho1
shrewd member of the party, however VINO
does not know by this time that it has dam
aged itself beyond measure by making itself
the instrument of infinite injustice to the negro.
There are n great many citizens who do not
love the negro at all, but do love justice ex-
ceedingly and they have taught the Demo-
cratic party by succession OF defeats that q
solid negro-hating South tends strongly TO
bring about a solid justice-loving North.
Hatred of the Chinese is a much narrower
and less potent feeling. 1t happens at present
to be very strong In certain States Then 1t
anpeals also TO the belief that the importation
of Chinese labor that is not really free has
been tolerated under cover of provisions Tor
freedom of voluntary immigration But, even
within this narrow territory, hatred OF the
Chinese may cease to be a political force when
ever the importation of labor that is not fee
shall be plainly prevented, or the immigration
of the Chinese reasonably restrained by proper
legislation. The passions that blaze so fiercely
now will then die out and vanish, and even
the shallow demagogucs who are striving for
the favor of the "Sand Lots" will wonder that
they were ever foolish enough to suppose that
political party could be kept alive on an Is
sue so narrow and empty. On the other manu.
this particular phase OF demagoglsm threaV-
ems TO give the Democratic party, at the worst,
only three small States, Of which they had
two at the last Presidential election. Ii
every vote from all of these States should be
turned over to the Democratic party by this
issue, that party would gain just four cleo
toral votes that it did not get in 1850, when
it was beaten by majority of fifty-nine.
But the Democratic party loses, IN
this as in every other instance OF base
appeal to race prejudice, more than 1t can
gain. 1t loses because its vulgar dema-
gogism and its shameless disregard of Amen-
can principles disgust good citizens every
where That party will be the weaker for
this cheap attempt to catch little local favor,
in many States, any one Of which casts more
electoral votes than the whole Pacific Coast. Ii
will be the weaker because there is every
where strong attachment to the principles of
the Declaration of independence, and keen
sense of pride that this great Nation can well
come to its hospitality voluntary Immigrants
of every sort and from every land. 1t Will be
the weaker because the conduct OF the party Is
in direct conflict with all its old time proies-
sions. In close Eastern States the effect of
this piece of demagogism will be felt here
after. not to Democratic satisfaction.