Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-23

LIVER since the tau elections OF last year II
mas been interesting to watch the wary ma
uwuvres Of the Democratic party il its e.
fort to keep on that side Of tine public senti-
meut Of the country which shall be most
likely to give it the control of the country in
1854. During the whole Of the session Of
Congress just closed its members in that
body were evidently in most uncomforta-
ble frame OF mind il their uncertainty as to
what to 10 and what not TO allow the hepub-
hcans to do. On the question Of ciyil.seryice
reform the Democratic members to be sure
ran neck and-neck with Republicans in en-
acting the reform measure when 1t came into
the lower House, but in the important matter
Of tariff revision they played the role Of OBJ
strucuonists throughout and were evidently
hopeful Of compelling the whole matter TO
fail by default that they might then charge
the failure on the Republican majority. On
other and less important subjects their rec
ord was no better
Now that the Republican record in Con
gress Is made up and only Is year intervenes
before the next presidential campaign opens,
the Democratic leaders are evidently put to
their wits end TO know what sort OF position
their party Is to unite upon ana agree to
maintain To speak more exactly, the ques-
ton Is whether any common ground OF IN
ion can be found in which the people Of the
country will have any interest. In Rhode
Island they can hardly be said to nave made
an suspicious beginning There, where
their first convention Of the year has lust
been held, they have nominated discarded
Republican, Of more than doubtful reputs-
ton, Tor governor, and, III their quandary as
to what to put IN declaration Of principles,
have lodged the question 10y not adopting
any platform whatever
The New York Times is evidently Of opiu-
ion that the tariff question will be the rock
on which the party will split. or, of which
1t will at least find il very difficult 10 agree
on spot of safe anchorage Evidence Of
this the Times finds il the contest already
going on between the leaders and advisers of
the party il regard to the speakership of the
next House of Representative 1t is pre-
csely on that question that there is the ut
most lack Of harmony. The party mas pa
raded itself for some time as d revenue re-
form party, because that could be done with
ont serious peril to harmony so long Is ii was
not Ourdened with responsibility for legisla-
tlou on tine subject But in the new Con
gress it is to have control Of the popular
branch, IN which revenue Legislation Is sup
posed TO originate, and 1t will DO under the
necessity Of agreeing upon its position.
There may not be any important tariff legis-
lation at the next session, but if the question
Is a live. one, and 1t seems likely TO be at
least lively one with the Democrats it will
enter into the national contest Immediately
following the session, and the party must be
Ia line or run the risk Of serious demoraliza-
lion. The most important preliminary Of
the opening contest will be the election Of
the speaker Of the next House This con-
test Is already waging over the relative claims
OF pronounced revenue reformer like Mr..
Carlisle of Kentucky, or Mr. Cox Of New
York, and an equally positive protectionist
like MIR. Randall Of Pennsylvania. Some of the
leading party organs cry out that this contest
must be avoided, that only essentials must be
insisted on, and that the partys ''time-hon-
- "a NAS~bH' H+u eSt4oA muht DC
maintained. But such talk means nothing
ana amounts to nothing, and the Times is
right when 1t says that those Democratic pa
pers are right which claim that before the
party can win IN 1854 it must night out the
tariff issue IL It's own ranks" 1t must find
harmony by being on one side or the other
OF the great questions which are to divide
political opinion in the next national contest
and not by trying to be on both sides or on
neither side 1t will be interesting TO watch
the progress Of tins struggle of the Democ-
racy to get into position for 1854, and in the
meantime the Republicans nave leisure TO
await developments