The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-07-10
MIR. D1EBLl5 AND THE SplAIxERSIIIp

MIX. DlEBLE AND THE SPEAK xERSIiIp.
HIr. DlDblc's recent communication
to tho Columbia RcgiSfcr defining his
position upon the approaching election
for the Speaker Of the House Of Rep
rcscntivcs, has given rise to much
comment by the press of the State.
Viewed in the light Of the discussion,
it is certainly safe to say {hal the Dem
ocmtic party in South Carolina is
practically unanimous in its demand
for "tartl' REFORM" and it seems TO be
equally true that the opinions now en-
tcrtaincd by Mr.. Dibblc arc in antnr-
onism to tho Wishes, and VIC brlicst,
the interest Of his immediate cunsti,u-
chts. For our part, we do not uues-
tion his right to follow the dictates Of
his own enlightened Judgment, and if
III doing SO he Feels obligated to sup
port Mr.. Randall for the Spcnkrrship,
he has perfect right SO TO do, but his
his constituents arc possessed of rights
too, which in their Judgment and dis
erection may. be exercised il the sclcc-
ton Of his successor. Mr.. Dibblc
claims that he is really following the
instructions Of the voters of lis district
in supporting MIR. Randall because he
is Il Democrat. The Pcnnsvlvuniun is
nomf""||H Democrat, but it is con-
ccdcd upon all sides that he is ,tut
Democratic on tho tariff question, and
no candid and inir-min,lcd man be-
ilcvcs for moment that Randall at
heart l;,vors Il "tarin for revenue
only.' Thcp, should Democratic
Con&rcssman, elected by II constituent
cy whose known convictions are III
Favor OF the tariff plank in the Demo-
cratic platform vote for and support
him for the important position Of
Speaker Of tho next House? Tho
question answers itself. But Mr.. Dib-
bic says we cannot afford "io fight the
campaign of Isl upon the tariff issue,
ana If it is undertaken defeat is in
cvitablc'! Somebody is wrong, badly
and radically wrong, but we assert,
AID are ready TO stand bv the asscr-
ton: TiIlf II WE REFUSE to fight the
campaign OF 81 upon the tariff issue,
defeat is incvitable! The Democratic
party has avoided, do,lgcd an,t strad-
dlcd the only great living issue before
The country long enough, and God
knows we have been dcIcoicd often
enough, and is ii not high time for u
change OF front?
If the party believes in the business
and rcc'itudc Of its avowcd prircplcs..
will some Of our weak-knccu brethren
tell us why we should not plainly,
boldly art, uncquivocally assert them
and go before the people willing to
stand or fall by our convictions? No
political party has ever, can ever or
WILL EVER SUCCEED or deserve success
that is vacilaling in its policy and
timld and cowardly in the assertion oe
its principles.
But wc bclicva> the majority of the
American people arc with us in our
demands ior q reform of the ,,:iifr
The %ttion Of the last Congress and the
overwhelming defeat Of the RcpubIi-
, can party throughout the country al
the general election following upon its
Adjournment, is proof sufficient of tie
sentiments Of The country upon that
question. If then it is right and poll
tic that the issue should be met ant,
fought, why should Democrat bcsi.
tate or tnlicr2 But if we let "%o ~,
the board" the tariff question:, what
others can we fall blcli upon; VIC con-
icss "c know Of no other, unless Il be
"an Unsuitable greed for Office" or de-
mand for "chansc," and ought we
to seek the suflraycs Of tho American
people without u guaranty that tic
change will be for the better. Tho
election Of the Speaker VII, be a de-
cisivc step in the approaching contest,
and with the lights OF to-day, Mr..
Dibblc seems to be going in the wrong
direction.