The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-04
VIVA, Mr.. Rsndalrs Defeat Means.

What Mr.. Randall IeIeaJ MedhS'
II goes without saying that the defeat OF
Mr.. RANDALL In his race for the speaker
ship Of the House Of Representatives
causes much rejoicing among the Cosli-
tionists In Virginia. II will be their de-
light to attempt to make IT appear that the
Democratic party Il rs consequence OF
that defeat committed TO the worst heresies
Of the docsrindires OF the Frce-Trade
party, and opposed TO the protection. even
incidcntally, OF the manufacturing indus
tries OF this State. The comments OF the
northern press show that the Demo-
Gratis arc now TO be pressed upon
the tariff question. The last presidential
election was lost by us because Indiana de-
serted the Democratic party In october,
lust a few weeks before the presidential
election. Indiana deserted the Democratic
party because thousands Of persons inter-
ested in manufacturing establishments
various kinds had been frightened by Mr..
wATrERsoS's plank in the Democratic ma
tional platiorm-namely, the plank which,
declared for "a tariff for revenue only"
The success Of the Republicans in 1880 in
alarming Democrats interested In tariff
for Observation-Disclosures protection-has
led the former to believe that they can play
the same game in 1884. And already the
cry is raised that the defeat OF Mr.. RAN
DALI forebodes death and destruction 10
the protected industries OF the country.
Even the Philadelphia Times. generally
fair TO the South, allows its friendship for
Mr.. RANDALL TO tempt it into making the
following declarations
"But il was not Nj. Carlisle who tri-
umphed IN the Democratic caucus last
night. nor was II Mr.. Randall who was de-
feated. The victor and vanquished are far
above the individual candidates in moinen-
tous issues which are TO play an important
and probably controlling part i'm the great
struggle for political power next year. Mr..
Carlisle represented revenue reform and
what Is practically free trade. Mr.. Randall
represented tariff with determinations in
favor OF our vast and varied industries.
By the nomination OF Mr.. carlisle the sem
timent Of the Democratic party Is pro-
claimed as against even incidental protec-
ton, and this deliverance is made in face OF
the fact that the party is just on the
threshold OF n presidential battle. Unless
all precedents and accepted rules OF politi-
cal construction must be at fault, the plat
form Of the Democratic candidates for 1884
is now made, and If so, Democratic defeat
will be inevitable and Overwhelming"
We beg the Times to reconsider the
question. Await the action Of Mr.. CAR
LIsIE-await the action OF the House OF
Representatives itself-before jumping to
a conclusion not warranted by anything
which has yet appeared in connection with
the nomination Of Mr. CARLISLE. or with
the retirement OF Mr.. RANDALL by the party
which he has seryedso well.
We have attributed the defeat of Mr..
RANDALL TO nothing worse than the ieal-
ousy of persons aspiring 20 be President
OF the United States. We are not willing
TO beleve--nay. we cannot upon such evil
dencc, which is no evidence at all-be- /
lieye that the Democrats in Congress have /
been struck with judicial blindness. The :
Times hints at the same reason which we |,
on Sunday suggested for Mr.. RANDALL's /
defeat. At least its language will bear that
construction TO anybody who had conclu-
ded that it was the friends Of the various
aspirants to the presidency that defeated
him last Saturday. Its article concludes as
follows:
alt is probable that when these results /
must be faced both North and South will {
be heard, and the Democrats may find only !
one escape from their monumental folly
that of taking Randall for President and /
making the rejected stone the head OF the
corner"
That is more sensible talk. We had
supposed and bis ambitious rivals for the
presidency had supposed-that the election |
OF Mr.. RANDALL TO be Speaker would
make him leading candidate for Presi-
dent OF the United States. Perhaps, how
ever. the Times is right, and his defeat
may raise him to higher donors than those
he has Just lost. Certainly it would not
astonish us il such should be the grandest
result OF the Democratic caucus OF last Sat
urday in Washington.