New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-07-26
AN ISSUE RAISED BIZ DEMOCRATS

AN ISSUE RAISED BIZ DEMOCRATS
The Democrats appear to be hugging two
foolish delusons. They strive to convince
themselves that the Republicans are "tryng to
raise the tariff issue and that the Republican
party Is depending upon General Butler or upon
Tammany for success. Until the Democrats
get rid OF these notions, they cannot fight with
intelligence or success.
The tariff question was raised, in spite OF
earnest Republican protests, by the Democrats
i'm Congress. This was done. not by irrcspOnsl-
bic individuals. but by the election of Speaker
on that issue, by the appointment OF the most
Jealous frcp-trader i'm the House as chairman OF
the WAYS and Means Committee. by the action
of IA Democratic caucus formally adopting the
Morrison bill rs party measure and by the
votes of four-ffths of the Democratic Repre-
soutativcs for chat measure. They raised the
issue. and it will not down at their bidding.
They threatened, disordcrcd aud Frustrated in
dustiy for months. while Republicans at every
step anxiousy urged them not to curse the
country by reckless aud fluitlcss agitation. II
seemed good to the Democratic patty to elect
members of Congress in lSS2 expressly because
they were pledged 10 cut down the tnull. That
"tnitcd the iaauc,' aud now the people ntc
going to hnyc II settled II seemed good io the
Democratic Representatives. o max" tnii'l tcduc-
ton not ony party question: bat the only lhilS
question Ia Conglcaa, The people propose to
settle that question. II pleased the Democratic
Representatives 10 aSsail manufacturers ~
licensed robbers aud the men employed IN
branches of productive industry rs thloNlnE
monopostsn Now the question has got to be
settled, not in the interest OF any party, but IN
order that the public prosperity may be re-
stored.
The Republican party is ready to meet that
question. 1t knows that the protective policy
which the Republicans adopted against Demo
cratic opposition and which would have been
ovcrthrown in any year OF the past twenty
three but for the Republican party, has met the
approval of the people II welcomes the open
opposition of the late Republican irce-tradcrS,
and has faith that the people. who appreciate
| that policy, will not allow it to be ovcrthrown
! by direct assault, or undermined by another
| Swindle like the one to which the Democratic
Marty rcsortcd in 1914. Nor have we any fear
| that this great and bcnchccnt national policy
will be defeated through the ability of the
| Democratic and Dependent frcc-tradcrs IN
manufacturing and circulating falschoodS.
| They did not defeat General Garfield in that
way, and they will fare no better with Mr..
| Blaine.
1t follows that the Republicans are not de-
pending upon General Butler or John Kelly,
or anybody else. Before the Democratic Con-
vention met, when no one believed That the
| usual Democratic quarrel would amount to any
| thing, the Republicans were honestly and firmly
convinced that Mr.. Blaine could not be beaten
| by any candidate who could he named against
him. They are of that opinion still. The free
trade descrtcls have proved fewer in number
than the Republicans expected. The Demo
cratic voters. who come to the support of the
| Republican party because Of its uncquyocal de
| fence of the tariff, have proved more numerous
than anybody expected. But Republicans c1-
pcctcd and desired such Il REIMBURSEMENT oi the
| CLEMENTS composing the two parties ~ might
| result from % square issue between the policy
which the Democratic party adoptcd in Con
prcss and the policy which the Republican
party has pursued steadily for tVcnty-ihlcc
,r1s. The su1nci that REIMBURSEMENT comes the
| better lol industry of every kind. II has be
come necessary to the country ~ know
whether lhp Republican policy is to stand ~
| not,
ifGounl tinltot. ~ tit kdh. 90 go, bad, else
wishes "a help llio Republican ral b'rnsr h'
npliukos ~ policy oi because lir does noi di'
IA tam over the Government aa'l al blnh.
defing dclntpoucr who have moi lhe s'us' Ia
| frame policy, or the coulugc h. such Ia IT over
night, hts AID Will be- welcome, lut If any body
mcditatc- interfering IN the contest, not because
of his honest beliefs, but to patily any per .pnil