Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1882-11-17
The Democratic Opportunity.

We print elsewhere che yicws,,of that
Incompatible statesman and wise pnliti-
cal economist, Hon. Thomas F. Bayard
upon the future of the Democracy and the
high duty which is incumbent upon it
AS usual Mr.. Bayard's views are pp forth
in a manly and straightforward manner
and with his customary moderate ion, saga
city and practical appreciation of pubic
duty. He is undoubtedly correct in his
prediction that there is strong present
probability, almost logical in it's certainty
of adding the control of the executive
branch of the Government to that of the
Legislative in 1894, ond that the Democra-
tic party, if true to its principles, will
have long lease of public power
The honest and order loving people of
the country. who have arisen in their ma
jesty and shown their condemnation OF
the false policy and bad methods of the
Republican party by deposlng it from
power, are now looking to the Democra-
tic party, with anxious expectation, to SEE
if it will give to the country the blessings
Of good government and honest and econ
omical administration of public affairs
If it shall, as it is believed it will, prove
itself equal to the rgency, there can
be no doubt that it will be rewarded with
a long lease of power. Al it has to do to
accomplish this is to prove itself true to
its time honored and understandable prin-
ciples. Those principles, as Mr.. Bayard
thinks, if applied to existing issues will
demonstrate their wisdom and justice to
the masses of The people.
The next Democratic House of Repre-
senta ives should at least do its part to-
ward reforming the civil service Of the
Government, and reducing the public ex-
penditures to an economical basis, but
above all it should take decisive action
looking to the reform of the present most
onerous prohibitory tariff. 1t cannot fail
to do this, without ignoring the fuuda-
mental principle of the party. More was
done by the Democratic minority in the
present Congress, at the past session to
expose he iniquity and injustice of the
present onerous system of custom revenues
than has heretofore been accomplished. in
that direction and it is believed that this
exposition had much to. do with setting
the current of public opinion so decided
ly against the Republican party. Hence
it becomes Of the highest importance that
the Democratic minority in the next House
should not incur the accusation Of temper
izing upon this most vital question. The
monied power of the rich manufacturing
corporations must be disregarded and de
fed. All so called Democratic members
who are under the domination Of the man
uacturing interests in their districts
should be promptly read ont of the party.
The masses Of the people of the country
d-naud reform OF the present tariff sys-
TEN and if the Democratic party will not
give it to them, they will look outside of
that party for its accomplishment. As
Mr.. Blyard most forcib!y observes "therc
is no task higher or more important than
that Of insisting that no law shall remain
upon the statute books under which the
private proper Y efone citizen is taken for
the private use of another" This is pre-
cisely what is accowpi shed by the prohi
bitory tariff.
The House should lie organized with
an especial view to this most important
reform. Although the friends of Mr.. Ran
dali urge in his behalf that his former I'M
democratic views upon this question have
been material Y modified, and that he now
fayors tariff for revenue only, still it is
hoped that this great measure viii not be
icopardized by the elevation of Mr.. Ran
dali to The Speakers chair. Let Us have
a thorough tariff reform organization, and
the thorough redemption of the Democra-
tic party from the odum it has heretofore
incurred by tampering with its most vital
principles.