Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-09-28
Timid Leadership.

1. | AAAAa apeNlAnAAfs
The melancholy ending of the Dem
ocratic campaign OF 1850 is now admit
ted to have been owing to dlsgraceful
retreat when the Republicans attacked
them with the tariff. Not that the
Democratic demand of "a tariff for
revenue only" excited majority Of
the voters against that party, for such
is not true. IL was because the Demo-
cratic leaders retreated from the
ground that they themselves had
chosen, and gave the enemy every adj
vantage of position, while 1t dismayed
and disheartened the friends of tariff
reform when they saw themselves
deserted by the leaders who had prom
Used them victory. Having stated
their demand Of tariff for revenue
only, they ran away from it. Their
chieftain in very foolish letter de-
clared the tariff TO De only ''local is
sue" and not national in extent. See
ing no promise of relief from a party
which lacked the courage to uphold its
express convictions, revenue reformers
withdrew from the contest, disguised.
Then the Democratic leaders per-
ceived their error, but it was too late to
recover the ground they had given up.
They had gone just far enough to
alarm the pensioned beneficiartes OF
protection and arouse them to strug-
gle for their privileges, but not far
enough to engage the assistance of dis
tinctlve revenue reformers. Bidding
for the votes of tariff reformers, they
yet would conciliate protectionists. |
Between two stools they fell to the
ground.
There is great danger that the mis-
take which sacrificed Hancock will |
destroy Cleveland. Already the Re
publicans are doing their utmost to
make the tariff the leading issue, in
order by so doing to obscure the cor
rupt character of their presidential
candidate. Instead OF meeting them
courageously and showing up the ini-
guilty of the protective system, Demo-
Gratis TO whom the conduct of the cam
paign has been intrusted are beginning
TO give ground, In the East they are
taking strenuous pains TO repel the
charge that Gov. Cleveland is free
trader-that term being understood 10
mean one who favors a tariff for rev.
enue only. Instead of boldly avowing
that the Democratic party is for tar
iff for revenue only-Or exclusively, as
1t is now putt is so ught ITO evade
and belttle the entire tariff question.
When people ask what principle the
Democratic party represents il not free
trade, and what the question now be-
ing fought over by the opposing parties,
If not the tariff, they are answered
that Reform is the great point at is
sue. But the Republicans claim to be
for reform AS strongly as the Demo-
Gratis, and there can be no issue made
Of point as to which both parties are
agreed. Very clearly, then, If the
tariff Is not the issue in this cam
paign there is no issue at stake. The
do not hesitate to espouse
the cause of the protectlonists. They
at least have the merit of courage.
Democrats are either protectionists or
free-traders, using that term as syn
onymous for tariff exclusively for
revenue; If they are protectionists it
is very irrational to oppose party
with which they agree; il they are not
protectlonists 1t is very cowardly to
shrink from defense of their prin-
ciples.
People despise timld leader, even
in good cause, while they admire
boldness In bad cause. II the Dem
ocrats want TO win they will have to
stand their ground. Go to apologizing
now for the free.trade principles of
their candidate for president and they
will be in full retreat before the cleo
ton comes OIL. Blaine's corrupt per-
sonality is good point to keep prom
inent in the campaign, but II will not
do TO run away from the real issue
high taxes for protection or low taxes
for revenue only. Ii
~