The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-05-03
We hope for success in 1884, bu

we are not prepared to affirm that
our nope is we'll founded. In fact i
is not. Our leading papers have beel
splitting hairs ON the Tariff question
ever since our party has been in de.
feat. Our leading men or politicians
have. for the same period, been trim
ming and hedging, marching forward
sometimes with q manly step, some
times to the right, sometimes TO the
left, and frequently turning theil
back on the constitution and their
face against the doctrines of Jeffel-
son; they 60 two step. backward for
every one forward. Cne says Tarih
for revenue is sound Democratic doc
trine. Another says Tariff for reve
nue. only" is sound Democracy.
Another 50 Tariff for revenue Will
'.incidental protection" Another
saws a Tariff for revenue and protec'
ton combined il the true Democratic
theory and the bedrock upon which
to build for success. Now how CAL
we expect success with such diver
sions among ourselves? If We art
not ayr. ed as to what constitutes De
mocracv, and are quarrelling among
ourselves, how can We expect tht
people to trust the dealing Of this
great country in our hands? 1t is
high time we had put our house in
order and settle our own differences
if we expect to go to the people III
confidence in 1884, tor . lease ol
power. 1t is impossible that all these
differences can be right. We are not
all Democrats for these are not all
Democratic doctrines. Tariff fol
revenue with incidental protection,
nor Tariff with any other adverbial
phrase cannot be found in the con-
stitution of the United States. The
only war; ant in the constitution, Ill
substance, is this, Congress shai.
provide for the necessary expenses
Of the Government. A Tariff for rev
enue wisely and judiciously planned
so as not to burden any industry, o.
press any class, or build up any in
dustry or any class, or individual al
the expense of any other industry.
class or individual, is botn cOnstitu-
tional and Democratic A Tariff law
that protects one State, section, in
dustry, class or individual at the ex.
pense of any other State. section, in.
dustry, class or individual is both
unconstitutional, undemocratic, and
unrepublican."
Against such Tariffs the appoint.
ed mission, high privilege and pledg.
ed duty of the Democracy to fight.
And if the party should cease its
fight against the present unjust, OPP
pressive, and obnoxious Tariff law
it would be as certain OF defeat in
1884, as 1t would richly merit TIL.
so-called fight in the last Congress
was not even . respectable skirmish
The enemy's advance-guard was not
even driven back. The Tariff Com
mission and the Republican commit
tees who framed and devised the
present law. placed the per cent. OF
most articles twenty five per cent
higher than they even expected
would ever pass trough Congress.
And hey did this for the purpose OF
seeming to make concessions in be
half of the people and against pro
lection. And the Democrats did NO,
even force them up to this anticipat.
ed line of retreat. AMI to stop til.
contest now, would be more than
folly. 1t will be far better for the
Democratic party to remain in defeat
than for it to surrender toe contest
AMI thereby get in power. If W.
can't get control of the Government
on principle We had better never
be in power.
1t the great Democratic party 81
this country 10 to be controlled by
Sam Randall, Of Pennsylvania, Ran
dolph and McPhe son, New Jersey
and other protective Tariff so-called
Democrats, then we are not anxiou,
to see the party in power, for We cal
see but little difference in that class
of Democrats and the Republican.
now in power.
Our purpose AMI object is not t,
install men in power simply because
they are called Democrats and be
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