Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-30
me nemncrntIc nIIrmmn.


The leading editorial in Harpers Weekly Of
this week is on the same topic-that of the
Democratic attempts at harmony-which we
touched upon last week. We copy the article
entire.
" If the Republican party is to be relieved
Of power at the next election, it is but fair to
assume that the result will be accomplished
only by party united enthusiastically upon a
great public policy party Of divided and
conflicting counsels upon such policy could
not hope for success, because the prominence
OF the question would compel the opposing
party to disregard minor differences and COM
bine for party success. 1t is obvious that the
question upon which many ardent Democrats
wish the election TO turn is protection; but it
is even more evident that upon the question
of protection the party is at fatal odds. This
is not surprising, for the recent tariff debate
in Congress showed that many leading Demo.
Gratis hesitated. and declined TO withdraw the
interests Of their own immediate constituents
from the protective care Of tariff. Mr.. Beck
Of Kentucky and the Louisville Courier
journal are strenuous for policy which would
certainly insure the loss OF Pennsylvania to
the Democratic candidate, and upon which
there is no evidence or probability that he
could carry New York. It is because the
views they advocate are generally supposed
to be free-trado views, and for free trade the
country is not ready.
"Ths is frankly conceded by other Demo.
cratic journals, which declare that for free
trade ir fls Ir,o3 aud gLpgl,t. Como. rf
destruction of custom houses and the total
abrogation Of duties, there is no party of any
importance whatever They insist that the
practical political significance Of the phrase
free trade is simply a revenue tariff, and
that this is the true Hntithesis Of protection
But this Interpretation would not necessarily
serve the needs of the party, because to the
democracy Of the Pennsylvania or Randall
school-and it is a very large one-no an
tithesis of protection is welcome. Democrats
of that school praise Jeffersoniau principles
with great fervor, and denouuce Republican
rascaiity with JUNCTION, but they want protec.
ton; and a clearly defined issue for or
against q strictly revenue tariff would send
them into opposition. Indeed, the whole sit
uation reveals the difficulty if not imposs-
bility, Of seeking Democratic success upon
such an issue. Neither the great Democratic
manufacturers nor the multitude of Demo.
cratic workmen desire it, The question Of
protection and of revenue is one Of the most
difficult of public questions for general popu-
ular apprehension All the easy, obvious,
ad cdptdHdum arguments which are most eff
fective upon the stump and in newspaper
squibs and appeals are on the side of protec-
ton. The close of the campaign OF 1850 il
full Of instruction upon this point and in OIL
election joined upon the simple issue of pro.
lection to American labor, the Republican
party need only hold its present passive posi-
ton to be well assured of victory.
THE fact is that to expect to make pro.
lection the cardinal question of the cam.
paign of 1854 is to anticipate contest over
AN issue upon which neither party has taker
side 1t is agreed that there must be indi
rect and not direct taxation. Consequently
there must be tariff. Shall it be laid fol
protection, for incidental protection, or for
revenue solely: If for revenue only shall
the enormous interests of capital and labol
which are involved in the present tariff sys
TEN be ct once abandoned to the chances o.
a radical change, or shall there be sliding
scale of gradual modification: Shall tn,
whole internal revenue system be summary
discarded "a system which is favored a
most equitable by some of the most arden
and intelligent free-traders. Is it not the ten
dency of every party to be led by its mos
positive and extreme element and will no
the cautious tentative scheme of revenue tar
if, so guardedly explained by Democratic
DOCTORS presently turn out to be free trad
and immediate competition with the paupe
labor of Europe: Amid a whirlwind of sucl
questions, with all the prejudices and obvi
GUS advantages of the situation against tn
party which raises them, will not the old arg
ument of letting well enough alone be irwin
chile In all that we say we are looking on
ly OF the chances of 1854. We are in no de
gree denying the intelligence of the people
nor doubling that upon a deliberate consid
Grafton of the whole question in all its bear
ings, the country might ultimately decide tina
its true interest lay in the practical applica
ton Of Adam Smiths principles. But as
question of practical politics and of a part
cry for the next election it seems to be clea
enough that if the contest were forced upoi
the tariff, the country would hold by the par
ty of reasonable protection. If, therefore
the Democratic party proposes to resolve it
self into a propaganda of Adam Smith
principles it has decided to change its pres
ent character. We certainly should not den,
that it would be very commendable course
but it would hardly elect a President in 1854