New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-26

ously handicapped all through the canvass by
the tariff -ior-rcvenue-0n resolution 10
which no WAS committed Many Democratic
organs said ditto TO these gentlemen, and as
result, Henry WattersOn OF the LoHiSrHe
Comir-Jowndl who reported the Democratic
National platform of 1850 containing the tarih-
lor-revonue- only" PLANK, has been freely ana
ferventlv execrated ever since by a large section
of his party rs the author OF colossal political
blundcr that cost Democracy the Presidency
To state these facts is to indicate the sort OF
reception which the Democracy OF the country
as a whole will be likely to accord to the tarln
resolution adopted by their brethren IN Mich
igan. The general Democratic impression vii
be that the Michigan branch OF the party, de-
cining to learn anything in the school OF eX-
pcrience, has "put it's foct in it u clear up to
the armpits We'll may the headed Dem
ocrats from Maine TO California, who Will be IN
tcnsey Disguised as they read this Michigan
platform, ask the committee that reported 1t,
" # free trade beat the Democracy in 1850, how
in mischief are We to win on that issue IN
@1SSl: where is the sense Of encoring fatal
"accident Of which your own party was the
"viciim ,"
IN theory Uc DtnlOcIHllC ldilf - 0'l'', ANi
ausht We know TO the contrary, free trade
paIty-altnough of course one MlchIgander
does not make a summer. But in practice 1t
is such no longer 1t is partly free trade,
partly on the fence and partly protection. The
campaign Of 1850 witnessed fierce grapple
between the free-traders and the protection
lists, from which the former emerged in dis
mai condition. Many Democrat who entered
tnc canvass in favor Of tarlil Tor revenue
only " as 4 result of the many discussions which
he listened to from the stump or read IN the
newspapers went ont OF ii N earnest convert
to the tariff doctrine set forth in the Ecpub-
lican platform. If this sharp fight in regard TO
the tariff also resulted in converting am pro-
tectiCnists to free trade, that fact has never
been brought to our attention.
1t will be observed that the Michigan Dem
oclats substantially rcaliirm the tarih doctrine
set forth in the Democratic National platform
of 1850 They still believe in Il tariff .or
revenue only" 1t is safe to say that the Dem
ocratic National Convention Of 1854 will not
adopt any such extreme resolution. Colonel
Wattcrson has the courage Of lis convictions
but We doubt if even he will be brave enough
to attempt to make the plank Of 1850 90 duty
III ISL The convention Will have none Of 1t.
The delegates may support a resolution calling
for "ind.cicns tariff, 81 n prudent tarn.
or tariff adapted to the requirements OF the
counhy.' They may even adept the large and
luminous view taken by the ilUstrious Dem
oclatic Standard bearer who WAS OF the opinion
that the tariff was merely a local Issue" Bat
they Will rcsoutcly decline by large minority
to adopt resolution calling for d tariff for
revenue only.'
Ii is not often that a stream rises higher than
its source. But the Michigan Democratic
State Convention would appear to have ac-
complishcd that difficult feat of political
LNdIau.ics.