New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-27
pREPARING TO DODGE.

We notice with much regret growing dispO-
sition among ID Democrats to fight shy of the free
trade issue. The discovery appears to have
been made recently that the issue is somewhat
too heavily loaded to be safe. Free-trade can
didates for the SpeakershiD have developed
sudden anxiety to have it understood that they
are not such absolute free-traders as they have
been represented to be. Here is MIR. Carlisle,
for example, publishing column or more OF
extracts from his speeches, all going to show
that he is as much protectionist as he is free
trader. Most significant Of all, he makes the
publication in the columns of Mr.. WattersOns
paper, and Mr.. Watterson allows such head
lines as this to be placed Overit: "Excerpts.from
"Mr Carlisles speeches which will confouDd the
protectionists who swear that lie, in common
with all tariff reformers, is determined free
"trader The rights Of the people correctly out
lined, while justice to the manufacturers is not
overlooked What is that but Mr.. Hendrickss
patented and improved tariff straddlei Has
Watterson begun to hedgeY Is he convert to
the preaching of that showing blackboard"
Mayor Harrison7 1t can hardly be possible. yet
there is no other apparent explanation OF this
sudden change of tone.
1t is our opinion that Mayor Harrisons burst
of truth at the Iroquois banquet is the real
cause of the newly developed timidity. Every
few days The World newspaper whose editor
was among the statesmen whom Mr.. Harrlsons
uncorked eloquence upset at the banquet, rises
to remark that the Republican papers seem to
think that Harrison spoke as protectonist
Wo have seen no Republican journal which
makes that mistake. The point on the free
traders is much stronger than it would be were
Harrison q protectionist. be spoke as free
trader, and the sum and substance OF his advice
was this: 1.-THE Democracy cannot win on an
"open free trade issue, because the people are
against free trade. The thing to do is to con-
Zeal our views till we get into power. Then
eve can wipe out protection and the people
q cant prevent u.s." That is Harrison's advice.
He wants the Democratic ship to haul. down the
pirate ensign and go into the next fight with
the National flag flying. When the light has
been wOn he is in favor Of running the pirate
ensign up again.
1t would not be at all surprising to see the
Democracy attempt to follow this counsel.
They have never had the courage of their bad
convictions. They are at heart overwhelm-
ingly IN favor of free trade, and it has been the
hope of all Republicans that they would make
the next campaign openly OH that issue. IL is
always peasanter to meet your enemy III the
open field in a square fight For that reason
we have been hoping that the Democrats
would be a good deal more bold and littlo
more stupid than usual next year and avow
themselves openly for free trade. They may
do so yet but the drift among them just now
is in favor of q straddle on the question. One
course will DO only little less fatal than the
other Mayor Harrison not only revealed the
cowardice of his party he revealed also It's true
position, and the people will not easily be de-
ceived into believing any false pretenslons
which may be made.