The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-05-03
Generous Republicans.

The straight-out and so-called Inde.
dependent Republican papers Of the
country are Just at present very busy
giving advice to the Democratic
party, as to what candidates are suresi
for success in the next Presidential CALI.
paign, and what issues can best be made
looking toward victory. The bland
generosity exhibited by these papers is
not more remarkable than the variety
of the advice itself. This generosity is
all the more remarkable when dissected,
because the Republican press have all il
can possibly attend to in the next two
years in softening the differences of its
own party and in restoring it to public
favor and confidence. Yet this gener.
osity is not entirely unappreciated
as it proclaims to the land the feal
the G. 0. p. have of the Democrats ane
the additional fear that the people will
remember their bitter experience, dur
ing the past few years of Republican
blundering and misrule. Unfortunately
the variety of advice offered is somewhat
confusing, and ludicrously so as the
Republican press itself differs as to tht
best policy, regarding the tariff, for the
Democrats to adopt. In fact this differ
ence of opinion has almost grown to ar
issue of itself between the papers ordi.
narily devoted to one cause. One paper
contains a lengthy editorial on demo
cratic Principles, in which the Repub-
lican writer advises the Democrats tc
steer clear of free trade, or anything that
approaches free trade, and devote itseh
to the policy of protection, ''to which
the country owes its prosperity anc
present greatness. This advice is de-
Tended on the ground that if it is
adopted, the Democrats will gain q
reputation for wisdom which will in the
end land them in the White House as well
as in possession of both branches of Con
gress. This editor, in his generosity,
forgets, however, to preach this policy
to his own party, probably because he
is one of that great class of Republicans
who believe (P) that his party will be-
come purified by temporary separation
from power. Another paper devotes
itself to 1.-The Democratic Opportu-
nity," in which the Republican editor
states that the true policy of the Demo
cratic party is to leave the question OF
tariff alone and devote itself to such
other issues as "may" arise. This adj
| vice is honest, because it is undoubtedly
suggested by the fact that, had the Re
publicans left the River and Harboi
bill and the tariff alone, they would be
better off to-day. Still another generous
Republican paper advises free trade fol
the Democrats, another moderate pro-
lection, and another some new principle
of economy not. yet discovered. Thus
the Republican press has started quite 6
little boom for tariff, and are waxing
more eloquent every day in defense o.
their own suggestions, while the Demo
Gratis grow more astonished as tht
generosity of their opponents grows
more marked.
As for the Democrats, they receive
this wholesale advice with smiles O.
gratitude, and with every evidence O
still being able to look through the hole
in the grindstone. They watch the
heated discussion pleasantly and pa
tiently, only stopping to wonder where
it will all end. The trouble is that tht
Republican press is devoting its brain t.
no purpose.-Neso Hauen Register.