New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-19
FREE TRADE BLUSTER.

Clearly the Democratic party Is Harmonious.
Evidences of its oneness of feeling and purpose
accumulate daily. Here, for instance Is the
latest uitcrancc OF Mr.. Wattcle0n. 1t has been
the habit OF some Democrats 10 treat hun rs an
cratic enthusiast whose political power was
not great But he represents the patty which
triumphcd i'm the election of Speaker. NO other
man is ON closer terms Of intimacy OF confidence
with Sneaker Carlisle or Mr. Morrison, the
official leader of the Democratic party III the
House. lie controls q paper VI large circula-
ton and marked ability which has great milu-
cnce in the States from which Democratic ma
ioritics come, and particularly IN southern
Illinoi, and in Kentucky. The plain truth Is that
It's power in Kentucky is greater than thaJ ol
Mr.. Carlisle or any other politician. Its nos
tility would quickly put am end to the career OF
eny Democrat in that state, or, probably IN Mr..
Nouisons district. Mr.. Wattcrson Is not an
Office hunting politician. He believes IN some
things sincerely, and has an unutterablc con-
TEMPT for the sort Of politicians who believe III
nothing bat fat places aud plumber.
Regarded in the light OF these facts, the re-
marks Of Mr.. Wattcrson can not he held nim-
portant. According to q reporter OF me
Baltimore Hcrald, Nh. Watterson came down
angry from the room Of Speaker Carlisle at the
Riggs House. Washington, and being asked
what was the matter, wrote out for the reporter
q statement. At all events, the same statement
somewhat heightened, was sent to his paper as
n special dispatch. "The squad of Protec-
tionists claiming to be Democrats, and led by
MIR. Randall" hc said, had mistaken the gem
crosity and courtesy Of Mr. Carlisle for vacilla-
Il, 1,a info
Wattcrson was willing to have the Speaker
himself read these remarks, and take warning.
:" This class OF political cuttle-ii>h are III state
"of confusion and rage over the strong and
" clear utterances Of the Speaker at New DIX,
SAYS the Kentuckian. These be harmonious
phrases. truly. They, the cuttlc-iish aforesaid,
have been Il" in conspiracy with Republicans
and now are swimming putting up q poor
mouth, and pleading avoidance of caucus.
One cannot say that these remarks are calcu-
lated to make a caucus IN re acceptable.
According to Mr. Wattersou, the sooner the
breach comes the better If Mr.. Randall and
" his followers cannot support so conservative Il
"measure, they had better pick up their grip
sacks and 20 over to the Republicans, where
they properly belong" Ii would seem, from
these remarks, that Alr. WattcrsOn had not
much expectation of success this year. lie
states the reason for lis puenacity thus: The
failure Of the Morrison bill means defeat, and
"m1y involve the dissolution Of Che Democratic
party. The same clique defeated General Han
"cock.' No doubt he i entirely sincere in
these opinions. To him, the Morrison bill or
some other pronounced free trade measure
offers absolutely the only chance of Democratic
success. Unless such a measure can be passed,
after all that has been promised, the men who
voted for Mr.. Carlisle are going to care but
little for the success of the Democratic party or
even for its existence.
But it is rarely the barking dog that bites.
The other end of the Democratic party
threatens less, but it may fairly claim that it
has shown more sticking power i'll the past than
the Carlisle end. Once before, Mr.. Morrison
took great pains in having a tariff bill matured
for him. only to get its head cut of in the
House. He did not like the experience, but sub
mitted then, as he doubtless will submit now.
Mr.. Watterson listened to General Hancock S
obsIudities about the tariff, and still supported
him. People who never resent it when they are
kicked stand a chance to get more kicks than
other people.