New-York tribune., 1883-12-18
WITH ITS MASK OFE.

1t Is sad at W aSlllngtOn tndU DclhoCidtic ~ -
begin to open. ave have elected Speaker,
said one Southern Democrat, "but have lost the
Presidency" But that is a narrow view OF the
matter Out of power for time, the Demo-
cratic party had labored to make people forget
its nature and purpose. In the election OF
Speaker it was compelled to show something of
itself. The real difficulty is that the party is
offensive to majority of the people, no matter
which phase of itself it presents. Whatever 1t
did was certain to remind men of much that the
party would gladly have had forgotten. 10
prefer Vandalism was to bring To mind long
career of hollow professions and false promises
of trickery and evasion on questions of vital
importance The choice of Mr.. Carlisle dis
closed the South in full control, with its sleep
less sectiOnalsm, its unchanged prejudiccs and
beliefs, its Southern interests and hatrcds.
The party had Southern face and a Northern
mask, and the mask had long ceased to hide the
utter insincerity of professions made to please
Northern voters. TO wear the mask again
would have been disgusting; to take it of was
offensive. But the party had to do one or the
other.
Having chosen the more candid course the
Democratic party can gain nothing now by
dallying. In every part of the country, the
election of Mr.. Carlisle was hailed by those who
want a radical reconstruction of the tariff. If
the party does nothing, with him as Speaker
it Will justify these people in declaring it in
capable or insincere. 1t can hardly afford to
offend them, as it has already offended the
friends of the present tariff. Nor can il afford
to give business men new reason for believing
that it is not competent for the details Of cgis-
lative duty. That rcprOach has cost the Demo-
Gratis very much already; they can judge what
chance they would have in commercial or manu-
featuring regions, if, after months of anxiety
and apprehension, and consequent cmbarrass-
ment of industries, they should prove unable to
propose any practical modification of the tariff.
If that il to be the end, it would have been in
fintcly wiser and safer for them to elect Mr..
Randall and cork up the whole question for two
years more. By electing Mr. Carlisle, they have
declared their intention to do something; now
1t remains to sec whether they have the capac-
ity even to propose anything.
The same difficulty arises with regard to
other questions. The Democrats have been be-
rating Republicans necessarily because the in
terests of the people, it is alleged, have not been
regarded in legislation about railroads. banks.
coinage and other matters. Mr.. Car
Isle has been elected because his opinions on
those subjects have been made known by his
acts and votes. If there has been any sincerity
in these complaints of Democrats, they will now
proceed to frame measures cmbOdyng their |
ideas. The Republicans will probably stop such |
if by them regarded dangerous, in the |
Senate and definite issues for the people to con-
slider will thus be made. 1t may as well be said |
that this is just what Republicans desire. They |
believe their course has been wise and right, !
and want the people to decide between them
and those who accuse them of "monOpoly,r or
favOritsm, or subscTvicnCy to corporations or
disregard of popular interests. They challenge
hc Democratic party to show wherein il would
nave change. If it fails, it will show that il is
nsincere or incapable. If its members of Con-
yrcss have not the practical capacity to frame a
measure, what will be the use Of electing an
,ther Democratic House? II they have no be-
iets or purposes which they dare to cmb0dy in
PRACTICAL measures before a Presidential clcc-
ion, what reason will the people have for
rustng themY
1t is the old story. To sit on the bank and
mari is much easier than to pull the boat up
tream. But this country does not want to be
governed by party merely because it can
narl 1t wants party in power that can pull
he boat.