Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-06-22
The Contest of 1884.
COurier-Journal.

The changes have been rung upon
the charge that the Democratic party is
hopelessly divided upon the question
Of tariff reform, until it has grown
absurd. if indeed, it were not so in the
beginning. Where are the proofs of
this division? Stale assertions have
been heaped moutain high, with no
shadowy substance of truth for a
foundation. The protectionists argue
from a false premise, and their de-
auctions are necessarily untrue. They
assume that every one who opposes
the present tariff rate is free trader.
In one breath they brand the entire
party as free traders who are ready to
strangle the infant industries of the
county. In tho ngAG they sloofull;
announce that the party is hopelessly
divided, and that it is in imminent
danger of going to pieces.
That there are protectionists in the
Democratic party-just rs there are
tariff reformers in the Republican
party-we admit, but because, this is
true, we neither despair of the Demo-
cratic party or lay the flattering unc-
ton to our souls that the Republican
party is about to disband. But that
there is large body of protectionists
in our ranks is not true. We could
safely agree to make an exchange of
all of those for all the tariff reformers
in the Republican ranks and gain in
point of numbers by the transaction.
The party is committed to a reform
Of the tariff. 1t is cardinal principle
which stands out in bold relief in
every National platform, and that
Democrat who does not subscribe to
that sentiment were better out of the
party than in it. If the platforms of
the party mean anything. they mean
IA thorough and radical tariff reform,
and only recreantS and towards will
claim that they do not intend each
word and phrase shall be interpreted
against the protective theory.
Believing this the Courier-J ournal
has stood for years vidette i'll front
of the lines, asking nothing but the
completeSt recognition of the princi-
Piles set forth by the constituted au-
thorities of the party, and consenting
to nothing else than that. La this it
has the sympathy and cordial support
of the masses of the party. 1t believes
in tariff reform because it is principle
of the party, and because it is true
principle. We have no wish nor power
| to read any one out of the Democratic
party but this it has said, and this it
repeats: 1t were better that the Demo
Gratis had lost the battle of last Novem-
Der than that they should throw away
| the fruits of the victory in the organ
ization of the house. What shall it
profit revenue reform, and the people
who indorse it, if the protection theory
of Pennsylvania shall triumph in the
election of Mr.. Randall with Com
mittee on Ways and Means organized
to betray the party and Cypress the
people in the interest of the iron
mongers Of Pennsylvania and the cot
ton manufactures of Massachusetts,?
| Because we do not wish to see the
| fruits of marked victory turn to
Dead Sea apples on the lips of those
who won that triumph, we have stood
as their mouth-piece, voicing their
sentiments and publishing to all
the world their demands. We have
held no halt way ground; minced no
words; employed none of the phrase
monger's arts, but have plainly, truth.
fully and earnestly set forth the faith
that is in us.
We knew that the election of a
Speaker by the House next December
is but the skirmish which precedes
| the great battle of 1884. If we are
driven from our works on the first
attack, it were worse than useless to
essay general engagement. We want
to win the Presidential contest, but
we wish it to mean something more
than mere parceling out of the Off
ces among members of the party when
| it has been won. We want to win it
upon principle, honestly and fairly
stated, that shall. when executed al
the peoples will. afford them relief
from the grevious burdens they now
bear at the behest of those who for
more than twenty years have misman-
aged affairs and yield obedience to the
money power of the masses. To win
for less than this would be barren
/ victory