Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-07-03

What the Protectionists are Doing.
The proteetionists are making extra
ordinary efforts to convince the delegates
to the National Democratic Convention
that unless the national Democratic plat
form is unequivocally and squarely In
favor Of protection Democratic success in
November Is impossible. The point is
made that Of the five States which are
admitted 10 be doubtful, viz: New York,
Connecticut, New Jersey, Indiana and
California, the Democrats must carry
New York and Indiana, or New York and
two Of the other doubtful States, 70 win.
To carry any one Of these States il Is,
claimed that il is necessary for the party
TO declare for protection. In support OF
this claim it is pointed out that Hancock,
on platform demanding "a tariff for reVe-
nue. only, was defeated in New York and
Connecticut, although at the preceding
national election Tilden carried both OF
these States by very respectable MAORI
ties. A statement like this is calculated
TO deceive. It's purpose is to create the
impression that HancOck's defeat IN the
two States named was due wholly to the
.starif for revenue only" phrase. The
fact that the platform, when Tilden was a
candidate. contained the same declara-
ton respecting the tariff, is carefully kept
in the back ground. Why it is kept back
is evident II would destroy the argu-
ment in favor Of a protection plank.
There is no doubt that Tnden was
stronger candidate than Hancock, and
that Garfield was a great deal stronger
candidate than Hayes. In 1876 the Demo-
Gratis had the stronger candidate, and IN
1880 the Republican candidate was the
stronger, and to this difference
in the strength Of candidates
more than TO the tariff issue doubtless
was due the fact that the Democratic
majorities in New York and Connecticut
in 1876 gave place to Republican MAORI
| ties in 1880.
From whatever point the situation is
viewed It is impossible to see how the
party would be helped in the doubtful
States, or, in fact, in any Of the States, by
a change Of front on the tariff question.
| Suppose an OutspOken declaratiOn-a dec
/ laratiOn as strong as that Of the Republic
cans-shOuld be adopted, would the coun-
/ try be convinced that the party had be-
come converted to the policy of potectionG
/ Would any prOtectiOnist, who wanted the
/ government to be controlled by party
/ favOring protection, vote with the Demo-
/ Gratis on account Of that declaration
/ Would it not be said and believed that the
party had Endorsed what it did not believe
/ with the hope Of gaining control Of the
government, and that it would repudiate
protection at the first favorable OppOrtu-
nifty? The insincerity Of a declaration in
/ favor Of protection would be so apparent
/ that the party would faIl to command the
| respect not only of prOtectiOnists, but also
| Of tariff refOrmers. The history of the
/ party, the platforms Of 1876 and of 1880,
and the attitude of fOur-fifths OF the Demo-
Gratis OF the present Congress would be
| published in every Republican paper, and
repeated by Republican stump speakers,
to show the true position of the party on
the tariff. The country would be asked
/ if it could respect or trust party that
would so readily sacrifice its princi-
pies to get power. A declaration
in favor of protection would not win
the confidence of protectiOnists and would
ALLEVIATE tariff refOrmers. 1t would be a
blow that would stagger, if it did not ir-
| reparably damage, the party. To declare
for protection would be to follow the Re-
publican party, and party that follows
never wins. Although there is large
faction Of tariff reformers in the Republl-
can party, that party can afford to advo-
cate protection because it has always adj
vocated it, and because the great majority
of its members are prOtecuonists; but the
Democratic party cannot afford to take
that position because the great majority
Of its members believe in a tariff for reve-
nue. only, and this belief has been empha-
sized over and over again, and in every
possible way. The Democrats who are
clamoring for protection platform may
be sincere, but if their wishes are re-
spected there will be little reason to hope
for the success OF the party.