The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-16
The Tariff Question.

We published few days agorwhat one
OF ohio's most distinguished Democrats
had had to say upon the subject Of a tariff.
The remarks Of Mr.. PAYNE were striking
as coming from him; and therefore they
have attracted good deal Of attention.
IL win be recollected that Mr.. PAYNE
said taat the words I" tariff for revenue
only" which were in the platform adopted
by the Democrats in their National Conven-
ton Of 1880, had caused the defeat Of Gene
raj HANCOCK in the presidential election OF
that year. Mr.. WATTERsoS, the well-known
editor Of the Louisville CourieT-,JonTnot,
was the chsirman OF the committee which
reported that platform to the Cincinnati
Convention, and VIC well recollcct the twist
he gave his head when he read the words
ga tariff for rcVenue only" lie looked as
il he was exulting because OF victory
gained by him over the more prudent MEM
hers OF the committee. But all the same
the Convention adopted the entire platform
without making q single wry face. The
fact was that very few delegates had heard
a word that Mr.. WATTERsoN had read; for
he had read the platform not in their hear
ing, but in their sight only.
OF course, then, Mr.. WATTERsoN has
commented upon Mr.. PAYNE's speech; ;
and we are glad to say he has done so IN a
much better spirit than we had expected
him 10 manifest, seeing that he is generally
intolerant OF any other opinions on the
tariff question than those which square
with his own. He goes heart and soul
against the protectiouists. OF Mr.. PAYNE's
remarks he speaks as follows:
"The tariff is not TO be handled GIN
gerly nor yet without delibcration. OF all
existing abuses, it is the most gigantic and
odiouS. IL Is the last one OF the great ques-
tions left outstanding on which the Demo-
cratic party has q record yet to stultliy.
There are those-and we should regret TO
see Mr.. Payne enroll himself among the
number-who would stultify the record
here ms il was stultified upon the successive
issues OF slavery, the Union, and money,
whereupon the party, by surrendering IFS
underground 10 the enemy, lost it, all.
The fatal blunder must not be repeated.
Since there are differences, let the dis
cussion 60 on by all means; let Demo-
Gratis consider every argument. pro and
con; let lis reason together, and sec if
we cannot agree upon a basis OF union
which shall be enlightened and eXpedient
But there must be no shutting nor double
dealing. The line between protection and
revenue must be distinctly drawn. IL is
the one surviving difference between the
Republican and Democratic parties. and
we shalllose our soul without making any
votes if we go into the fight under plate
glass Republicanism ut second hand. Let
us the rather set our back against the
firm, stone wall Of our traditions, set our
face TO the iOe-hdding Pennsylvania TO go
10 the deyil-and make an Out-and-out
fight against monopOlieS Of every descrip-
ton. OF these the chief Is our cannibal
war tariff. About it all OF them are raj
lied, and with its fail all Of them will fall.
We are no phrase-moncer, and care little
for the terms in which the declaration OF
principles shall be put, so it be sufficiently
clear and speific. The words a tariff for
revenue only is sentence out OF the
platform OF 1876. Ii is merely one form OF
expression. Let the learned Thebans who
assemble In 1884 get better. IL is no dis
covery, invention, or fayorite OF ours. But
IL expresses truth, and we shall be satls-
fed with nothing less than, words apart,
the complete reassertion OF that truth
viz, that taxes shall be levied not to en-
rich classes. but TO furnish revenue"
Read between the lines, Mr. WAITER
SONS article is unobiectipnable. If he is
willing TO call the Democratic leaders to-
getber and to attempt to agree upon ga basis
OF union both enlightened and expedient,"
he will not kick out Of the traces il the
agreement shall be more favorable TO sugar,
rice, tobacco, sumac, hemp, iron, &C., than
was the platform of 1880.