New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-04
4 PROBLEM FOR DEMOCRATS.

Already some Democrats begin to rejoice in
wardy that their party is not likely TO elect
the next President. When it, success seemed
probable, the party quickly made such an OK
hibition of itself as to alarm It's most thought
full and patriotic members. Before the election
comes great many fits members will secretly
congratulate themselves that it cannot prevail.
This is nothing new nor strange. 70 get into
such a shape that sensible Democrats want it
beaten is the habit Of that party. When il
pronounced the war a failure in 1861, it drove
thousands of loyal men to vote for Mr.. Lin
coin When it resisted reconstruction and
proposed to pay bonds with deprecated green
backs In 1865, its best men felt that its sue
cess would be national calamity and dis
gIacs So il has gone on, again and again,
protesting to reform when far from power,
but, a. soon rs its su,Ccrsg seemed probable,
manilrstiu% purpose and tendencies which is
best members could not bat regard as dangers
ons. The question Of pubic interest IL
whether these Democrats ~" going 10 behave
once more just as thcy have done 20 may
times already. When thcy find that Dom3c-
iacy, in it, present state ami with ito existing
tendencies, cannot safely he intIusted with
the Government, what will they do
That this state Of things will come before
tho next Presidential election there is every
reason to believe. In the next Congress the
Democrats will be compelled to make many
disclosures as to their ioclmga and aims. If
the party decides to bottle itself mp for n time
by the selection Of Mr. Randall for Speaker Of
the House, it will stlI be impossible even for
him to prevent the Republicans from forcing
1.
only minority of his own party friends that
lac can rely upon to prevent discussion or ac-
ton on vital matters. Non-actIOn, too will be
the most effective and significant action in
some cases. If the majority in the House re
fuses to repeal the Silver act, for instance or
to authorize the Executive To- suspend silver
coinage and tho issue Of silver certificates
until the stock of silver OH hand has been
brought into usc that majority will be as re-
sponeible for all the consequences as il it had
anew enacted the same law. If silver ccrti-
fcates continue to drive National bank notes
out Of use, and if the gold held for the re-
demptiou Of legal-tendcr3 continues to be eG-
changed for silver, the country will realize
within a year from tins time that it is danger
OUs 10 intust power to such party.
50 it will be with regard to the develop
ment OF foreign commerce, the Improvement Of
National dcicnces. the maintenance of the
laws, the continuance of taxes on whi5Rey and
tobacco those who are responsible for what
is done in the House cannot avoid committing
themselvc, either 10y action or Ivy refusal to
act. Bat there are two subj cts on which
action OF somo kind can hardly be avoided.
The Democrats Of Ncw-Jerscy frankly avow
THEN hostility to Civil Service Reform. But
Democratic House will be forced to do
something about it, if only to make the ncccs-
sary appropriations for enforcing tho law.
The Democrats of other States demand a
tariff for revenue only. If mcn like Mr.
Randall can prevent the House from Originate
ing any measure on that subject. they canu0.
prevent its acting upon some measures which
are tolerably sure 10 come from the Senate,
if only by way Of amendments to bills la
some particulars, a correction of errors in the
new tariff is exceedingly important Refusal
to correct them will involve large RESPONSE
bility; action on any measure OF that nature
will open the way to amendments by the Sen
ate, and thus compel the House 20 decide |
for or against the maintenance of protective
duties.
On all these questions, as the most intcii- |
tendencies of their party are directly contrary |
to their own convictions. 1t cannot act or
refuse to act without disclosing aims which |
would make the success Of the party mani |