The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-14
INC Tarif Question.

The Culpepcr Exponent says that 'he
vote Of the Virginia delegation in the
House Of Representatives on the tariff
commission bin prompts IL to ask whether
there Is a Democratic party in Virginia.
II adds that It desires TO know whether
Wrsr and BARBOUR. who voted for the bill,
or CABTIL. TUCKER, and GARRISON VINO
voted against 1t. reflect the Democratic
sentiment Of Virginia!
we answer the Ezponeaps questions by
saving that as the present Democratic-Con-
seryaiiye party OF Virginia embraces
within It's fold as many persons who were
Wings as It does persons who were Demo
Gratis In the days when the tariff question
was an issue in American politics, 1t Is
little too much TO ask OF the old wings
that they shall all become free-traders. In
a word, the acknowledgements party
of Virginia was organized as an ally OF the
National Democratic party. The city OF
Richmond always gave q large majority for
protectiou to American industries when
this question was before the voters; and
there Is now in this city, we have been in
formed. an association consisting Of at least
thousand members, who are IN favor OF
protective tarif-all OF them, or nearly all,
Democrats.
We do not wish TO discuss the tariff ques-
ton. We tried ten wears ago TO come TO
an agreement with Mr.. KELLEY, of Penn
sylvania. as the leader Of the protectionists,
that we would favor any kind OF q pro-
tectivc tariff il he and his friends would
unite with the southern congressman in
abolishing the entire intcrnal-reyenue sys-
tem-the worst that ever afflicted a people.
Whilst that system stands, we expect to be
always ready 10 come to that agreement.
And whenever that system is abolished,
a tariff will have to he framed
which will be q tariff for revenue, but
which will nevertheless afford all the pro-
lection needed by the industries Of the
country. In word, the issue suggested
rather than proposed or advocated by the
Exponent is not only one which it would
be unwise for the Democrats OF Virginia
10 raise, but one which there is no good
reason for raising. When the Republican
party Is destroyed, and the Government
ceases 70 be controlled by sectionalism, the
voters Of the South may divide upon po-
l.tico-economcal questions. At present,
sectional party not only keeps the
South under the ban, but the Adj
ministration sends a BOND to South Caro-
lima to prosecute Democrats and a MELTON
to try TO pack iuries under law which
was passed for the express purpose OF pre-
venting that crime against liberty from be-
ing perpetrated by partisan officials. Those
prosecutions were begun as a means of Sc
curing majority Of Republicans in the
next Congress, Just as with the same end
in view the Republicans OF the House Of
Representatives purpose to turn out as
many Democrats as possible Of those now
holding seats in that body. All these mea-
sures are intended TO encourage the negroes
and their allies to make desperate efforts to
send Republicans TO the next Congress.
Wait till we get out OF the woods before
we halloo. In other words, let us not
distract nor divide our forces until section
alism has ceased TO rule the country, and
the issues Of the late war between the
States are buried out Of sight.