The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-07-19
DANA'S PLATFORM.

CHARLES A. DANA of the N. Y. Sun,
desires but one plank in the next demo-
cratic platform, and wants that one to be,
"Kick the rascals out. lie asserts that
if the democrats go to the country on
the free trade VS.. tariff question. they will
be disastrously beaten and republican
misrule will reign triumphant. Further
more, he AYERS that the first and greatest
needs of the country are change in the
administration of the affairs of govern
ment, thorough reformation of our
civil service and an honest and economic
set of officials. Then, he contends, after
the democrats have established them
selves in Office and gained the confidence
of the people, will the time cone to
adopt such legislation Oil the tariff cues
ton as will relieve the consumer without
materially affecting the manufacturer or
laborer. These sentiments will no doubt
find favor with the democrats of the east
and coming as the do from the leading
democratic paper in the United States,
they are entitled to a calm consideration
at the hands of the democrats of the
west. Mr.. Dana is no doubt entitled to
credit for great political sagacity. He
would accomplish in an indirect way
what cannot be done directly. Better
have some reform than none at all, is
evidently his motto.
With free trade platform there would
be no hope of carrying Pennsylvania and
New York, would be extremely doubtful,
and without New York the democrats
could hardly elect their man.
Notwithstanding all this the attempt
to evade the tariff question will find little
favor in the west. 1t is the only nation
al issue between the two parties, and
almost every true western democrat
would prefer to fight losing battle on
that issue to winning one which evaded
it. The democrats might not be able to
elect their man in the next presidential
campaign on that issue, but there is lit
tie doubt that they would eventually
succeed. For every democratic vote
they would lose on this account in the
east they would ultimately gain two in
the west. Why is it that the democrats
fear to take up the issue now? Simply
because they are afraid of being defeated
By eastern monopolists. This now pow
erful class is becoming more opulent
every day, and correspondingly more
powerful. A stand must be made some
time, and might as we'll be made now as
hence. If it amt, the west should begin
to clamor for protection from the east.
Wisconsin is vastly more in need of pro-
lection from New York then New York
is from Canada. If protection, which
is so repugnant to the dictates of reason
and to the principles of Political Econo-
my is boon in disguise, why not have
it more widespread. If the country has
grown so rich because of protection, why
not let the states do likewise? Million
aire manufacturers will never grow tired
amassing wealth, as long as the consumer
sees fit through the fundamentally of
the government, to make them involun-
tary contributions.
If some democrats in Pennsylvania
and New York want protection il is no
reason why the great body of the demo-
Gratis in the country should bow to their
dictates. If they don't take mn thA 4nn0-
ton the republicans certainly won't and
soon money will so completely control
the government that it can perch itself
on an impregnable eminence and bid de-
fiance to the people and popular govern
ment.