National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-02
Protection the Next Issue.

EFONcCIlOn Nnc NeAb AbSuts
The Washington Post learns that the
Presidents course in the selection of the
tariff commissioners "is to be under
stood as one of the main tests Of the ac-
ceptability Of his administration at the
South" What South2 The free-trade
Bourbon South2 Or the new progressive
South? DO Republicans and Liberal Pro-
lection Democrats count as any portion
of "the South ?" Does the Post suppose
that the President is trying to make his
administration acceptable to the Bour-
bon Democracy? Does it pretend that
he could If he so desiredP Has he ever
given any ground for an intimation that
he would sell out to that stupid and
hide-bound old party, which, after being
brayed in the mortar Of civil war, still
imagines itself to be the South ?" We
beg the Post to continue to draw the line
on free trade. The issue is n clear one.
We shall find the old moss-back Democ-
racy of the South rs frisky as blind
and spawned old war horse at the
sound of the familiar cry of "a
tariff for revenue only" 1t will
respond with alacrity to the order,
Backward march," But from its ranks
will be missed many of the Southern men
to whom it has looked for leadership in
the past. We welcome the tariff issue as
the one on which the Southern white
people will divide-Athe friends of ma
terial growth and prosperity taking the
side of Protection, and the friends of
decay and the grumblers at the inevita-
BILE hugging the delusion Of Free Trade.
The fierce struggle over few seats in
Congress has been forced upon the Re-
publican party. We regret the excite
ment which has attended it, while we
rejoice at the yindication of majority rule.
Thore are men on the Democratic side
who feel impclled to stand by their eau.
Gus, but who will not make the
mistake of following the party into
its last ditch of free trade. However
party strife may rage until these contests
are ended, when they are ended tho
best work for the future will be for mer
to find their affiliations in the great over
shadowing material question of the tariff
Wherever ProteCtionists assert them
selves in the Democratic party they will
be snubbed. There are Southern State
in which Protection Democrats could fine
themselves leading majority of thu
voters if they would but cut loose from
the Bourbon Free-Trade Democracy
Let no present temporary strife blind thu
eyes that should see clearly. The Bour
bons' claim that onc-dfth of the
House Of Representatives ought to b
allowed to muzzle the other four
fifths and prevent even the considera
ton of contested election case will nc
make good issue on which to rally tn
Democracy for 1884. 1t is nullifcatio
of the Constitution and rebellio
against majority rule. There are Demo
Gratis who are now obeying the part
lash on this subject of whom we expet
better things after the war is over. w
hope the Protection Democrats will kee
constantly in view the proscriptive WI
that is sure to be waged upon them i
the near future in their own party.
they conclude to make stand in STATE
now Democratic they will surely fin
themselves supported generally by til
Republicans in their own States, and el
couraged by those from without.