New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-03
DEMocEACY WITHOUT 4 MASK.

Democracy, then, means Mr.. Carlisle. That
is. it is a Southern and not a Northern party, is
governed by Southern notions of industry and
commerce, banking and finance, and finds 1t not
worth while To try to hide its record or conceal
its aims. just as we respect Mr.. Carlisle the
more for such candOr and sincerity rs he has
shown in discussing public questions, so his
party deserves to be respected the more for
choosing one who has some sympathy with its
real purposes and beliefs. Mr.. Randall repre-
scented only the dsguiscs which the Democratic
party puts on to deceive Northern voters. Mr.
Carlislc's selection is a recognition of the fact
that DISCUSSES are useless as well as unmanly.
If a party is in any respect fit for public conil-
dence, it must have convictions and aims which
it is not ashamed or afraid to avOw. We may
oppose it TO the death. as Northern people did
the sincerity and frankness of rcbclSm, but can
nevertheless respect il the more for being sincere
and frank.
~ When the late elections resulted in virtual
defeat of the Democratic party, THE TRIBUNE
observed that Mr. Randall would probably go
down. Upon his plan, and no other, his party
had fought the campaign of this year, and the re-
suit was a complete collapse of his policy. II
WIS udtuidl dN W. lltil dHNlNlDiN'ht tl'A INV
party would abandon Mr.. Randalfs policy and
turn from Mr.. Randall himself to some Western
leader Nobody had been deceived by n cum
ming trick of words about the tariff; therefore
it was not worth while to resort TO any trick.
Nobody had been led to forget the Democratic
record for forty years therefore it was waste
of time to try to hide that record. In the same
spirit, the Democratic party was moved to have
done with DISCUSSES about its .S0uthcrnism.
"The Democracy lives at the South cried an
organ Of that party, "and gets its votes there,
and henceforth Southern men may as well
/" take the leadership openly" Since prctences
and evasiOns had proved worthless, Democracy
concluded to go unmasked for once.
Southern Democrats do not comprehend the
diversified industry of the North, and therefore
are naturally hostile to the policy by which that
marvellous development has been promoted.
Agriculture needs no protection, they say
therefore manufactures and mining should
have none. They see nothing but monopoly, cx-
tortiOn and robbery in the growth of industries
employing million men, feeding five millions
of people, and ahrording an enlarged home
market to all American producers. Mr.. Car
Isle, for instance, in debate February 10Th,
said:
The whole doctrine of protection, If IT rests upon
elgbe principle Is based upon the theory that Is the
duty the Government power and influence
in the form of legislation otherwise in favor Of
OF people certain classes OF industries, and
against other CLASSES Of people other industries.
With that notion, Mr.. Carlisle was the consist
ent leader of Democrats in the House who
strovc to break down every protective feature
Ia. fariH auI for hot Lao, =. no,
orcd He and others like him, cOmprchcnding
little of the functions Of banks in modern civili-
cation, regard them as institutions hostile to the
people, and so it was by his bill that an attempt
was made to cOcrce the banks in February
1SS1-a measure which caused violent cOntrac-
ton, and a sudden decline of $133 900, 900 in
the value Of a few leading securities. The diff
Guilty is not that Mr.. Carlisle and his followers
mean to make mischief. They simply do not
comprehend the industry or the commerce of
the country. Seeing things only from a South
crn point of view, they have sincere convictions
which, if carried out would be fatal to the
prosperity of North and South alike.
1t is Mr. Randalrs misfortune that, being
Democrat, he still has some comprehension of
Northern industries and needs. Therefore his
party thinks him unfathfu to its principles.
Seeing that the party would do mischief if it
did anything, he has shown skill in contriying
that it should not do anything. But this dila-
tory policy, at the most, could only serve until
after the Presidential election. The people
knew that Mr.. Randall did not represent the
real mind or will of the party. Therefore it is
just as well that the party has said so. The
practical effect at present will not be great.
Bad measures can be arrested by Presidents
veto. Therefore the Carlisle Democrats, being
unable to get anything DONE may distinguish
themselves in doing nothing for the present as
much as the Randall Democrats. But the party
serves notice upon the country that if it ever
gets power to do as it pleases, it means to act