New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-23
ment for the South as well as the North en-
gagged in the business.
WHETHER TO FIGHT OR TO Run AWAY

WHETHER TO FIGHT OR TO KUN AVAIL
Mr.. Henry WattersOn seems to have come 10
New York on business which has occupied MN,
more or less vainly, for several years. Before
making an appeal to the public he explained
himself to a reporter of The World with a
frankncss which might have been incOnvenient
in a platform address. 1.-THE Democratic
"party," said he, "has made tariff record which
1T cannot escape. The question is, shall the
"party run away, pursued by the Republicans or
81 shall it stand its ground, unfurl its flag, iand
"fght for its convictions" Mr.. Watterson
and the Free Trade Club want it to fight. he
party prefers to run away. And rs fol saying
that it "cannOt escape from its tariff record
that remains to be seen. At any rate it cannot
afford to be ovcrtalen, and a run is worth try
ing as a last resort. Indeed, Mr. Wattcrs0n
himself showed the futility of expecting it to
fight for its convictions. "What are those
convictions ~ asked the ingenious reporter.
To which the Kentucky statesman was forced
to reply that there are many shades and de-
grees of opinion His answer was very short,
and, for 50 positive a man, somewhat mcon-
elusive.
In general way" continued Mr.. Waiter
~
revenue" Such at least is the Oracular utter
ance attributed to him by the reporter, but we
think that he must have said more than that,
for we all know what Mr.. Watterson's opinions
are. He believes that no time ought to be lost
in upsctting the tariff, that the party has
pledged itself over and over again to reverse
the protective policy and that it is folly and
cowardcc to shirll the performance Of its prom
iScs Mr.. Randall speaks for those who are
trying to hide their principles and run away
from their record, and his election, declares
Mr.. Wattcrson, "will be the complete stultl-
licatiOn of all Democratic traditions in policy
"upon living ISSUE and cost every Represent
"ativc West and South who votes for him his
"political future No doubt Mr.. RandaFs
election would stutify a great many Dem
ocratic traditions, but for the matter Of that so
would the election of anybody else, as there are
40 living issues upon which the party has not
made at least two contradictory declarations.
Besides, we doubt whether the Democracy
mind being stulttcd. They are used TO it.
Here now is Mr.. Cox, who belongs, we be-
licyc. to the fighting wing of the party, and
has been hot for revenue disturbance: ne Is
said to be extremely dgnilicd at present, mar
tial and even savage in his department; but he
is evidently getting ready to run away. He
rcscnts the republication of his revenue
speeches rs personal injury; he takes great
pains to inform the press that he is not half so
dangerous n, he used to say he was, and that
there is no real difference between his plan of
reform and letting things alone. He Is no lion
rough, roaring in widest rage, but only Snug
the joiner. And here is that untcrihcd tariff
r,romrr THE Vorld declaring yesterday by
way of friendly reference to its own interview
with Mr.. Watlcrson and as a genial introduce
ton TO the speech that gentleman was getting
ready 10 deliver at the Cooper Institute, that
the Democratic party must "csch'w phrases
and remember that with Republican Senate
land a Protcctionist President in the way, any
aa.tcmpt at elaborate tariff legislation would
be a waste of time" The Democratic party Is
never ready to stand its ground except
when there is no fighting going on. Nh. Wat
tcrson will find it Drawer - soon rs the election
is over. 4. for unfurlng is flag now-why,
it is running already, and the Republicans are
in hot pursuit.