The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-28
A Proposition.

n fAoPVcAtiSAs
In the following article the Winchester
Times proposes what at first blush seems
to be fair proposition; but we fear that
the owners OF foundries, factories, and
mines viii hardly consider 1t so; for what
ever theorists may teach, all Tor practically
alb the men engaged In manufacturing be-
lIeye that tariff protects them from for
eign competition. II Is useless, therefore,
to argue with them on that point. A man
who believes las we know one who does)
that to reduce the tariff on the articles he
manufactures would be TO compel him TO
discharge three hundred hands, and to
shut up his factory, wiz hardly endorse
the Tmcs's proposition. Nor would It be
easy to get the three hundred workmen
thus threatened with idleness to vote for =
candidate for representative in Congress
whose action In that body would result, or
even probably result, in throwing them
out OF employment.
We think, therefore. as we have said
heretofore, that the Democrats OF Virginia
would better agree TO disagree on the tariff
question. Circumstances have forced INTO
the Democratic party Of this State thou
sands Of protectionists. II they are willing
TO vote with the party, and hold their pro-
tectionist views in allegiance, we suggest
that the other side might afford to do the
same.
Nevertheless, the 7imeS'S article is
worthy Of consideration and so we re-
produce il below. IL is as follows:
CAN We DrvDEs-The Richmond Dis
match has well-put editorial to show how
impolitic IL viii be for the Democratic par
ty to DIVIDE upon the tariff. Its undoubt-
edly true that at no time in the South have
the white voters seriously divided without
an attempt on the part OF the negroes to
seize the State government. On the debt
question, which divided the white voters
OF this State, the negroes early in the fight
allowed schemng place-hunters to mass
them solidly in aid OF one faction. They
soon learned to designate that faction
as their peculiar party, and to coerce by
buldozing and persecution every member
OF their race into one solid phalanx. And
this, too, although they had not one dimes
interest in the result one way or the other. |
And so funderism and re6djustment ended |
in color-line fight, forced upon the whites |
by the evils of negro misrule in the State, |
and the threat OF still worse evils. The |
Democrats will be long time recovering |
from the scare Mahoneism has given them. |
And rs the fight upon the debt ended, so
will fight upon protection and tariff re-
form, or any serious division in the white |
vote OF the State. Ii affords too favorable |
an opportunity for the worst elements OF |
the whites-the hungry politicians-to mar
shal the negroes to victory, subiecting the |
State 10 the untold evils OF carpet-bagisrn |
and Mahoneism. No. we will follow the |
Democratic party wherever it leads for pro-
lection, for free trade, or for tariff reform. |
whatever that may prove TO be. Political |
differences have at last to be submitted TO |
some tribunal for decision. Why should |
not the high-tariff and low-tarif Democrats
OF the South submit their views for arbitra-
ment TO theiI party, which contains in a
large part the virtue, intelligence, aud worth |
OF the people? This is a fight in the party. |
There Is no reason why majority if it
should prove TO be). who wish reduction |
OF taxation, should surrender their views |
to minority, who may desire high pro-
lection. Ii is unfair, therefore, for high
protective-tariff Democrats to ask low-tariff |
men to let the tariff alone. Not to make an !
issue with the Republicans is to declare for |
high protection, and is surrender Of their
views to what perhaps is a small minority
OF the party. We invite our high-tariff |
friends to fair contest within our common |
party, and, whatever the verdict upon this |
particular question may be. we have too |
much id common st stake to part from |
each upon any subordinate issue.