New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-17
DEMOCRACY IND ITS DODGES.

The Republican anu DomOcratic cahutu"e0s
for Governor of Iowa having agreed to meet
each other in debate, The Herald urges that the
candidates 10 Ohio should do the same thing.
public discussion of the tariff question. 1t
reasons would be of great benefit In reply to
the suggestion that the Democrats may wish TO
avoid that issue, The Herald tells them that lt
will be found utterly impossible; that they VIII
have to meet it in some shape, and that no
other way can be more disastrous for them than
TO have the issue forced by the Republicans
where the Democratic leaders appear to be
anxious to shirk it, This is very sensible al
vice so sensible that the Democratic party
will not accept it. To the end it will try to
dodge the tariff question, and will be beaten
by its lodging.
The Democratic party does not hupe to elect
President without the electoral votes OF New
York. New-Jersey or Pennsylvania. 1t knows
full well that no party has the slightest chance
of success in either of those States if it is be-
lieyed to be hostile to the protective tariff.
Hence the party is compelled to hide its pur-
noses and opinions as far as it can, or else to
abandon all hope of speedy success. party
of earnest. conscientious convictions might face
the certainty of defeat year after year for an
and do. But the Democratic party is not one
of that sort. Its men of convictions ana SIM
cerity have never controlled its action In
sin gle instance for many years. The hungry
Office -beggars, the greedy spoilsmen, tue I'M
scrupulous jobbers, shape its action ana make
Its candidates. Painful az the fact Is to sincere
and earnest Democrats, thry arc well aware
that they are powerless. Candidates will be
selected for them. not by the convictions OF the
marty but by its hunger. The party will try
oure more 10 make people believe that Mr.
Randall is its real leader and best representa-
tive. and that 1t has no intentions in regard to
the tariff question which he does not share.
Once more. an attempt will be made to capture
Pennsylvania by deception, and it will fail.
These things can be safely predicted, be-
cause the party is altogether too hungry for
any course that involves a candid and manly
effort to make its beliefs accepted by the people,
IL it we're party of honest convictions, II
would choose a veiy different course. AT the
outset, it would avow its convictions clearly
and distinctly; then it would put up candidates
known for their devotion to its ideas; ana
finally it would seize every opportunity, by de-
bate or in the press, to bring public opinion 10
adopt and act upon those principles. Defeats
il would face with perfect equanimity, not de-
string to succeed until it could command
hearty and resolute public approx al OF its aims.
| II was in this spirit that the Republican party
began its grand career. Nobody could be in
doubt about its beliefs; nobody could question
its sincerity or patriotism. 1t preached its
| faith everywhere; challenged all opponents to
meet il in discussion dared to asOw its opin-
ions even where they were most unpopular (;
and made it plain to all that it did not want
Office except as means CT carrying it's convic-
tions into practice. So the people listened to
| and trusted it. Thousands voted for Repue-
lican candidates who did not quite accept Re-
publican doctrines, because the frankness and
courage of the party gave proof OF its sincerity,
| honesty and patriotism.
| We do not believe the Republican party
can ever be beaten by any party that does not
appeal i'm like manner to the public intelli-
vencs and conscience. Voters have no faith
in party that tries t. get Office by tricks and
lodges, evasions and conccalments. They rea-
son, and rightly, that such party eitbe. mere
conspiracy of greedy spoils- grabbefs, or that II
has dark designs which it does not dare to
ayow. Probably half million voters will
vote against the Democratic party for no other
reason than this, that it brands itself as I'M
worthy of confidence by the tricks and evasloni
to which it resorts.