The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-04-26
STRENGTH IN THE ISSUE.

oOu UC1OIC Luc IOHuOlo SAuO al
: Chicago may have been the result OF
, too much champagne mixed with
: genuine bourbon, it has at least walked
Democrats up TO the life there is in a
vital issue upon which hangs, more
than upon anything else, the life OF
the two great contending political
parties in this country. The indiscreet
speaker, no doubt, soon repented of
his utterances and would now gladly
recall them, but this temporary dis
affection cuts no figure in results,
except that it awakes anew the SEN
timent that pervaded the country last
fail, when state after state were
Unexpectedly redeemed from Repub'
lican thralldom, when dismay SO seized
the minds of Republicans that the
struggle of 1884 was already recog-
nized as lost to them. Democrats
who accept with alarm the declara-
tions of Mr.. Harrison may at once
suppress their anxiety. Last fall the
tenth congressional district of Texas
experienced just such anxiety; it was
said Democratic element in this dis
trict would WELD powerful influence
against tariff for revenue only and
the schism appeared to be complete.
Yet, when election day came it was
found that Democracy instead Of los
ing upon this issue, had abso-
lutely made inroads upon the enemy,
and the majority, instead of being
two thousand DIS was anticipated,
ran up to over three times that much.
The issue was made squarely on tariff
for revenue only, and in a district
composed largely of Democrats, said
to favor protection at least for wool,
the result was absolutely startling.
Democrats have nothing to fear from
the agitation of this question. A
few votes may be lost, for interested
motives, but it is vital issue coming
home to all consumers regardless of
party utilization, and he who runs may
read that the masses will follow in
the wake Of cheaper living and cheap
er clothing, that the farmers and
mechanics will vote for cheaper uten-
sis and tools, the housekeeper for
cheaper household and kitchen
| furniture, and all must understand
that the business men of the country
will hail with pleasure cheaper ne
cessities, that there may be. more
money in the hands of consumers to
be expended in luxuries. No possible
degree of animation and interest that
can be impaired to the tariff discus
sion can injure Democracy. 1t will
cause bewilderment and disintegra-
ton, certainly, but only IN the ranks of
Republicanism, where it is desired.
1t was discussion of this very. ques-
ton that gave victory to the Demo-
Gratis in the late congressional cleo
lions, won the next house and wrung
| from their opponents valuable con-
quests in five or six northern states,
without losing one inch of Demo
cratic ground in the west or south.
1t is this very issue that the
country is becoming Democratic on.
The tariff is the only living issue
before the country. Take it away
and there is positively nothing be-
tween the parties to dispute about.
One by one the Democrats have
wrenched from their opponents all
their constitutional positions held ten
years ago. They have extorted from
the supreme court and Republican
administrations surrender of all the
| false policies and practices born dull
ing the reconstruction period. Re-
publicans still cling with palsied
hands to their protective W ar tariff,
while Democracy, supported by the
manifest voice of the country. de-
maAds that it, too, be surrendered.
Certainly this is no time to become
alarmed because gentleman talked
freely and disconpectedly after en-
joying himself for some time at the
convivial board. Suppose the
tariff does create differences
in the Democratic party
will its agitation not create dis
affection in Republican ranksp The
Republican party is high protective
organization, with large and rest
less malcontent faction against pro-
lection. The Democrats are tariff
reform party, with very small and
thinly spread high protective element
in it. Admitting, therefore, that an
exacerbation of the tariff discussion
would create schisms on both sides,
surely such Encouragement is not to
be deprecated by intelligent and
thoughtful Democrats, who clearly
perceive that their party must achieve
its restoration to national ascendancy
in 1884 on this issue, if it then achieve
it at ALL The Democrats are menaced
with peril which nothing but
sharp, intense tariff discussion
probably can eXorciseAthe cleo
ton of Mr.. Randall of Pennsylvania
to the speakership of the next house.
On the only living question of the
day, Mr.. Randall is in conflict with
his party, in that respect is Republi-
can, and it were better for the Demo-
cratic future that Republican were
chosen speaker of the next house than
he, since he is high protectionist,
and a Republican could be nothing
more. Mr.. Randall deprecates MAIN
tenance of the tariff discussion be-
cause it will interfere with his
schemes of election; but for that very
reason nine out of ten Democrats
may well desire to have it made as
sharp and intense as possible. 1t is.
an issue full of strength and promise
to them, and capable. if managed
Alright. of being made an agent of de-
struction to their opponents.
IT is thought that the "yerba mate"
of Brazil and the Argentine States
might be cultivated successfully in
this county. The plant is an ever
green, resembling the orange or the