New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-20
LIE RINGS NAME THELR VAN

The rings of New-Y Brooklyn and Albany
have united to place Governor Cleveland before
the country as Democratic candidate. Ills
virtue is that he appears to be entirely destitute
of opinions on National questions. Whatever
supposed merit he had as Governor he has lost
by the recent prostitution of his Office to secure
the favor of the rings, and he goes before the
country as their joint representative Lest
there should be imputed to him some opinions
on National questions. the State Convention
took care to express no such opinions, and
laboriously avoided all mention of the tariff in
its platform.
The Governor is expected to have plenty OF
money, but his official position is deemed by the
rings worth more to the party than the millions
of other candidates. He can use his power as
Governor to help his party in this State lie
can and does shield ring officials whose corrup-
tons have been exposed, and this commends
him to Democratic favor. He can and does veto
measures of refOrm-measures so important
that all schemes of reform collapse without
them, as an arch when the keystone is removed.
This is his political capital He trades on it,
and his party buys the use of the office II 1t
dominates the man.
But there is one thing that the Democratic
party would desire, if it were attainable, more
than money to be spent or offcesto be prosti-
tuted in its behalf. 1t would give all its Offices
in possession, and all its barrels" actual or
possible TO be rid of its record of this very year
on the tariff question.
The refusal to mention that subject in the
State platform exposes the fatal weakness OF
the Democratic position. Only few weeks
ago four-ffths of the Democrats in Congress
were vociferating that they we're going to have
a free-trade party or no party at all, and that
Mr. Randall must he hanged, drawn and
auartercd AZ a traitor What has come DER the
sprit of their dreams The nomination of
Blaine and Logan. Six weeks ago there was
thought to be a chance of carrying Western
State for some Democrat. Now every Demo
crat knows that every Western State has gone
The Pacific States are wild for Blaine. Ohio,
Indiana and Wisconsin are blazing with en-
thusiasm for Blaine and Logan. The sole
chance of success is at the East, and there the
Morrison bill threatens perditiOn. To-day
millions could be raised to expunge the record
on that question, if it were possible. from the
very men who voted with Mr.. Morrison to make
that record.
The Democratic party can nominate any
candidate it pleascs. That vote will remain.
II can frame the most cunning jugglery of
words ever conceived, or adopt a free-trade
platform, or "a protective platform, or no plat
form at all; still that vote will stand, as the
latest and ncomparably the best proof OF the real
intentions Of the party. The workingmen in every
shop and mill and mine east of the Alleghames
will study that vote, and see what reduction
if would have made in the duties on which
their wages depend. The able speeches of Dem
ocratic Free Traders in support of the bill, and
particularly the Oft-repeated declaration that
the measure was only the first firm step" in the
direction the party meant to take VIII be placed
before every workingman. The previous pro-
| ceedings in caucus and in committee will be re-
published and read. 1t will be shown that the
| bill was brought forward as party measure ;
! that the Democratic party as such was fully
committed to it : and that it was supported by
! four ffths of the Democratic members, only
as a beginning of what they call reform" The
| workers will need no explanation. They know
! what such measure means for them.