Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-06-08
THE DEMOCRAT.
Mineral Point, Friday, June 8, 1888.
Geo. Crawford. Robt. M. Crawford,
EDITORS AND PRoPRIEToRs.

Inc greatest problem III polltlcS To-
day is, what course will the democratic
party pursue in regard to the tariff
question? Circumstances have forced
this question to the front, and unless
something startling or extraordinary
should happen, there it will reman I'M
til the American people have rendered
their decision upon it; and consequent
ly neither of the great parties can treat
it as a matter OF minor Importance.
The course which the republican
party will pursue is not problematical.
OF course, republicans are often protec-
tionists in protection districts, and for
low tariff in low tariff districts. But
it is we'll known fact that the great
body of the party Is hopelessly joined
to the idols of protection, and can al
ways be counted on to work with
might and main for the interests of
the barons who are enriched by high
protective tariff, whenever those inter-
ty is by tradition and by right a low
tariff party. In fact, tariff for reve-
nue. only-Or that all taxes must be
levied solely for the support of the
government, and must not discrimi-
nate against one branch of industry in
favor of another-is part of the or
ganic law of the party. And we be-
lieve that only very small minority
of the party would controvert the cor
rectness and righteousness of this
proposition. But many democrats who
clearly understand the tariff question
and are aware of the great detriment
and injustice which the thieving high
tariff enacted at the last session of
congress will inhict upon the country,
are opposed to the p rty coming out
boldly for true tariff reform, and de-
manding the repeal or lowering of all
duties which are not levied for the pur-
pose of revenue but for sO-called pro-
lection, or indirect subsidy. They com
prehend the subject themselves and
have faith to believe in the blessings of
commercial freedom, but are afraid to
come before the country on that issue.
because they fear the inability of the
people to intelligently decide upon SO
complex Il question as that of foreign
trade. Although it is hard to see how
these men who by their distruSt of the
people show that they are more fit to be
followers of Thomas Carlyle than of
Thomas Jefferson, can consistently
call themselves democrats, neyerthe-
less it is the uncertainty of their num-
Der and influence which makes it at
all doubtful that the democratic party
will be found true to its traditions and
eXemplify the fact by electing reve-
nue. reform speaker of the next house
of representatives, and when i'll ma
tional convention assembled declaring
mcompromisingly in favor of tariff
for revenue only.
1t is to be hoped that the element
which favors expedieDcy will not be
large enough to control the party but
that those who favor blunt and down
right honesty of purpose will prevail.
A decisive victory for tariff reform
ers i'll choosing speaker would assure
the policy of openly pushing the fight
on the tariff question in the campaign
Of 1884. And for this victory many of
the best democrats in the country will
wait and hope with as anxious hearts
as did the liberty-loving revolutionary
fathers who waited for the ringing OF
independence bell which told them
that life and spirit had been given tc
the declaration of independence.