The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-03
Yithmond 1ispatth.
The Tariff Question.


The CulDeper LIpOHtN Iathti SUI pA'S''
rs when Il appeals TO us as follows;
1.-THE Dispatch promised some time ago
that II would not discuss the tariff ques'
ton anv more. We are constrained to re-
mind our respected contemporary OF It's
promise by observation OF the subiecl
which mas constantly burdened its columns
for the past few weeks
First. we do not recollect that we made
the promise referred TO, though we do re-
call having said that we did not expect to
discuss the tariff question any, or perhaps
we said much, more. We have kept that
imnliod promise strictly. We have not
earo,iallv advanced one single argument
either for or against a protective tariil; ana
we do not intend 10 do so il we can help Ii
and n the same time do justice to the
oof,-sfaboncitcs in Virginia whose views
on that question concur with ours
But Ills does not mean that we are
10 supprcss news items on that sub
jec;. our noighbor OF the state Is
in thorough accord with Us in advocating
the policy OF subordinating the tariff ques-
ton 10 the question of rcscuing Virginia
from the hands Of the CoaIitioni>ts; yet II
pursucs exactly the same course that we
do. Il reproduced MIR. BAYARD's and MI
McDoNALD's recent letters in opposition 10
a protective tariff, just as we reproduced
Mr.. EAToN's letter opposing any ln'efieI-
ence with the existing tariff 10y the next
Congress. These letters were rather in the
nature OF news than Of argument, and the
DiSpo,ch might have reproduced the first
two and the state the last without render
inc either paper liable to the charge Of
having done aught calculated or intended
TO disturb the harmony OF the Democratic
party.
The Erp0ncnt must have noticed that III
commenting upon Mr. EAToN's letter, and
the Kentucky platform, and Mr.. WAITER
SONS tariff notions, we confined our re-
marks exclusively to the point that Virginia
Democrats must be tolerant on this subject
OF the tariff. There are many, very many,
Democrats in Virginia who are honestly
and sincerely in favor OF so arranging a
revenue tariff rs to give al the protection
possible to Virginia interests. There
are others. Just as good. or better II
the Exponent will have it 30. who
hold TINT Congress has no right to
frame q tariff with any other object in
view ;Lan the production Of the revenue
Necessary for the support OF the Govern
ment. Il was said in Louisville that no
Democra. Of this latter class could be
elected 10 Congress from the Louisville
district, though il usually gave Demo
cratic majority OF several thousand. y
like remark might very well be made
OF one or more Of the congressional
districts Of Virginia. Surely, then. the
Democrats must agree TO disagree amongst
themselves. We have diligently sought to
enforce this view OF the matter upon our
readers. We would be perfectly willing
10 drop the subject altogether. In fact.
we would have done so ere now had not
one or two Of our esteemed contempora-
ries made 50 loud call upon the Demo-
Gratis OF Virginia TO rally to The standard
OF tariff for revenue only that we really
feared for the harmony OF the Lynchburg
Convention.
By the way, we have learned within the
last twcrty-four hours relatively to the
time Of writing this article) that the lead
ing Democrats Of the State have in their
letters to the headquarters OF the Demo
cratic party given assurances that the
Lynchbug Convention, if it shall follow
their counsel. win not allow its platform
to be 50 constructed as TO afford standing
room for only one-half Of the Democrats OF
virginia.
We are glad that the Exponent has az
forded Us occasion for making this eX-
PLANTATION.