The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-10
lari1 QuestiOn-Duty Of tho
Democratic Party.

Denocratic Party.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
i am pleased at the position you have
taken in regard to the tariff question and
its relations to the Democratic party Of the
country. / cannot conceive OF q greater
folly than would be the agitation Of this
question again by Democrats at the next
session OF Congress.
In tae first place, II the Democrats OF the
House were to effect reduction OF the
tariff advocated by the " free-traders if
would Tie defeated by the Republicans in
the senate; and even il it could pass the
Senate. President Arthur would certainly
veto 1t; so that under no rational circum-
stances can any desirable change i'm the
present tariff be hoped for or accomplished
ny the next Congress. Besides, It's agita-
ton would only disturb the public mind
ana derange the business interests Of the
country, greatly to the disadvantage Of the
democratic party and its future prospects.
Again: What extreme folly, not to saw
wickedness, Will it not be for the Demo-
crus 10 permit the champions Of "free
,raue 10 emDarrass our party next wear
py making Their extreme theory OF the Ia
rin speciaI plank IN our next national
platform, and a special issue before the
people! III was Just such folly that defeat
ed Hancock in 1880, and il repeated will
certainly defeat us in 1884, whoever NAV
DC our nominee. viii adversely and sad
experience teach us nothing! We can
hoid the Vote OF Kentucky without the aid
OF Mr: Watterson or his free-trade theory
ouI free trade " would lose It's New York
anu the olher great States essential TO our
success. VIII II not be time enough for IL,
nr0n(rlV he
possession OF the Government and have the
power to DO so? Or shall we wantonl,
throw away victory by squabbling among
ourselves about theories and distractions
Ihere Is but one clear policy for tn,
democratic party TO pursue i'm 1884, gnC
thereaIter, on the tariff question. IL re
quires 500, 100000 or more OF dollars TO rrlr
this Government, and that must be derived
from direct taxation or from reyenu
tariff. The latter has been the almost I'M
broken practice Of our country until tn
late civil war inflicted upon las our presen
oppressive internal taxation, and tina
policy is what the people now demand Sinai
be our practice In the future. We shall d,
competed therefore TO have at least tariff
sufficient Tor revenue for years TO come
ana u u sheer nonsense to talk OF anytblnl
approaching Stree trade" unless we ex
wv w 'uh inc government for NOTHING
ana repudlate our national debt. Henri,
Sny eariil OF 1882 was not as high as ouI
,arln IS competed to be now with our
useiy increased expenditures, and conse.
Iu.n'! eriii ior revenue in 1884 is more
np'e projection 10 our industries than was
The tariff OF the great Father OF Protect,on
IN 1882. A iudicious tariff for revenma
therefore Is what all Democrats can con.
ssently advocate, and what should satisfy
an reasonable protectionists in the future.
Should not that sufliceY '1'"''
The prospects Of the national Democracy
nave never been so bright since the war.
ana our triumph In 1884 Is almost assured
unless IL Is thrown away by the extreme
plumbers and folly Of few extremists and
impracticables. Let the wise men of the
party save us and the country from such a
calamity. RIG.