The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-15
lSSueIeSS,

be made without an issue unless the
democratic convention re-
solves to repair as far as in its power
lies, the sad mistake made by the dem
ocra.s in congress in defeating the
Morrison bill, and to do that, Joining
with the republicans. So far as con-
gress is concerned all our Yaunted de-
votion to the cause of tariff reform is
a mere pretense, sham, a fraud and |
with that base treachery before us
and unatoned for by a ringing
free trade platform at Chicago, |
we cannot win, and will |
richly deserve defeat. When |
the democracy joins with the republi- |
cans Of the east to perpetuate the sys-
tenn of tariff frauds and corruptions
which have prevailed so long, it de-
serves to be very heartily sat down
upon by the country, and that will be
its fate beyond peradventure, if the
convention to assemble at Chicago
does not find a remedy in the way we
suggest. Randall, the paid attorney
Of the Pennsylvania manufacturers,
by establishments which only rich
patrons can afford, has CLAM
CURED congress, and although we
have a majority in that body
the republican high tariff men are
able to beat the only measure yet
offered looking in the direction
of tariff reform. Thus are the west
and south thrown back upon their
own resources, and the hopes of the
party for an early and complete sue
cess, though bright and green, but now,
lie withered and limp before the
country. We of the westi and south
must remain for another quarter of a
century the bond servants of the
eastern manufacturer must hew
wood and draw water as of yore. We
have vast majority of the votes Of
the nation.
We can carry the reform before the
people notwithstanding this cowardly
attitude of the democracy in con-
gress, but we must do it over
the most bitter and deter
mined opposition ever made
before a convention upon principle.
These men will not die easy; they
have vast stake to fight for, as vast
as ever moved men to action. 1t
means a revenue yearly, sufficient to
ransom an empire, and this is wrung
from the grain growers Of the west
and the cotton growers of the south
Before it the differences between
democracy and republican1sm melt
like frost work before the sun. Money
binds principle to its car and leads il
helpless in its train. Corruption
class-privilege and bargain and sale
must prevail unless the western and
southern democracy at Chicago join
in a resolute crusade against il
and resolve to force an issue upon
which they can stand and still retain
their self-respect. Unless this is done
in some effective and positive way, ii
will be difficult to hold the party to,
gether upon any but local state is
sues. AS national organization il
will inevitably be destroyed, and il
should be. A party without principle
is ship without compass or rudder
and the sooner men get away from il
J the better for them. The hearts Of
all true democrats grow sick with
the prospect of eternal defeat, anC
the eternal piIing up of abuses ant
| corruptions, to say nothing of thu
annual burdens placed upon The
shoulders of the vast mass of producers
west and south. A halt must be cal
led in these things, and the Chicago
convention will offer the only means
we will have for four years of express
ing our dissent from the vast scheme
of robbery which has been practice(
for so many years, and which is sought
to be perpetuated Indefinitely by re
, fusing TO touch the present iniquitou
, and wicked tariff system. 1t would
be bad enough were this evil forced
l upon us by superior and uncontrola
9 bic force, but it isn't. 1t is the self
9 forged and willingly worn chain ant
l we hug it to our bosoms Will,
5 we kiss the hands of the task
master who gathers the pennies wrunt
t from our lowly toilers in the whea
5 and cotton fields of the west and thu
t south.
} In view Of all this, how vastly Ia.
Il portant it is that we send TO Chicago
: such men only as will represent u
3 in this thing, and also men with tn
8 nerve requisite to stand for the prin
, ciples of democracy in the very teetf
t Of the storm raised by the rich ant
ruthless pets of the national tarlf
system. 1t is all-important tina
/ Texas makes no mistake in thi
| matter. She will act as an enem,
to her own best interests if an.
}, but pronounced tariff reformerI
, are admitted to her delegation t.
Chicago. If we are to be agaiI
? defeated. If we are to be indefinitel,
l relegated to defeat, let US at least q,
, down uttering decent protest against
the uncleanliness of the times, and tn
, selfishneSs of the pampered pets o
: protection.
, Let the democracy of Texas demand
that the state be put on record at Chi.
cago as opposed uncompromisingl tt
the perpetuation of the present fraud
ulent tariff policy, and as in favo
of destroying it by any honest means
within reach, or OF abandoning al
connection with the eastern, or higl
tariff wing operating under the join
, leadership of Sam. j. Randall anl
VIM. D. Kelley, of Pennsylvania.
The News and TWO-ThIrds.
For the last fifteen years the Gal
weston News has been politically con
sistent in nothing other than its in
tense hatred of the two-thirds rule