The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-04-30
Aiding the Plans of the Enemy

st. Louis Republican.
Those Democrats who play into the
hands Of the Republicans by eehoing the
wall that the Democratic party is diYid-
ed and greatly weakened by the attempt
to carry out its thousand times repeated
pledge to reduce taxation, are pursunga a
rule or ruin policy rather further than
any sort of fealty TO the Democratic or
ganization warrants. They say year
ago Democratic prospects were bright
and victory in the next national struggle
nearly certain. Upon what reasoning
was this true? A year ago the party
was looking forward TO the election of a
speaker who would carry out the pledges
and principles upon which a majority OF
Democrats had been returned 70 the
housesof representatives. Everywhere
the accredited leaders of the Democratic
party had proclaimed the doctrine Of
revenue reform, reduction of taxation
and economy in the national expendi-
lures. On this declaration of principles
the party had triumphed. The organic
alton of the house in pursuance of these
views was accomplished and the com
mittees appointed to give effect to the
ideas which had prevailed. In the nost
conservative and careful manner legis-
lation has been proposed and is now
pending to redeem the promises of the
party. The Republicans have all the
time kept up q routine pretence that
every step in the Democratic plan Of
action was blunder. This was on their
part matter of course. They have
little else to do. A year ago they said
the party was hopelessly divided as 10
II Il L. hHN
Randall would be chosen, in spite
of all reform professions, or there
would be a bolt from the eau
Gus. All sorts of troubles were pre-
dicte1 in the formation of the commit
tees and it was confidently foretold tnat
no tariff reform policy could be agreed
upon by majority of the ways aud
means committee and a caucus OF ths
Democrats of the house. In all these
prophecies of discOrd they have been
deceived, if indeed they ever believed
them themselves. Bot in all Of them
they have been supported and their
evil forebodings have been echoed by
few Democratic protectionists and
number Of professed Democratic jour
nails There is no disafeetion in the
party that is serious. There are shades
Of opinion a. TO the extent and mode OF
the reforms to be made in existing tax
alton. But no man can make the least
| Just pretence to being a Democrat who
does net favor the reduction Of war
taxes and the cessation Of the collection
of vast surplus in the national treasury.
This is the live, burning question Of the
hour. All Democrats are agreed that
from $5O.O00,000 TO 100000 600 in ex-
cess Of the needs of the government now
taken annually from the people should
be left in their pockets, and ninety-nine
] in every hundred Of them think it ought
4 to be done by reduction Of the taxes
on the necessaries of life rather than on
/ the luxuries. The marplots who are
lending themselves 10 the enemy IN
swelling the cry Of assumed disagree
i ment Of course do not wish Democratic
success. They are, however, inconsider-
i able in numbers, and weak because they
are faithIess. If the Democratic party
I fail this year, it will be because the
cause Of reform has not yet attained
j sufficient volume TO sweep away intren
II ched error, backed BY the whole enor-
Il nous patronage Of the government, and
not because the majority Of the party
and its true leaders refuse to stand still
when II would be recreant not to 60 for
n ward.