The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-15
The Chicago Convention.

Since the defeat of the Morrison
Dill by the influence of Sam Randall
aud other protection democrats(?) in
congress. u great work, a great re-
and a very solemn duty
levolves upon the Chicago conven-
ton. This situation is presented: We
must either choke out protection in
the democratic party, weed out high
tariff sentiments or be content to sit
down in eternal defeat so long as we
maintain a democratic organization.
We cannot win with this division in
side the ranks. Something must be
done. With pronounced free
trade, or rather tariff re-
form platform we would loose
the eastern or high tariff |
wing of the party. That is inevitable. !
But this would be more than compen-
stated for by the accession of free
trade republicans from the party
west. In fact, it is nearly dead sure
that the democracy would gain large
ly by the exchange. There is vast
popular majority in the United States
in favor Of practical free trade, and
opposed to protection. This fact will
be understood when one re-
fleets that this principle serves the
best interests of all classes of people
other than those interested directly
in manufacturing enterprises far
mers, planters, stockmen, miners, and,
Indeed, the great working mass
IS of the nation generally.
These need, and must have,
recognition at Chicago-in the plat
form to be promulgated there. A
manly and unequivocal expression on
the tariff question is necessary to give
us any hope for the campaign, is nee
essary, in fact, to preserve the very
organization of the party. The masses
of democracy, as well as of the tariff
reform republicans, look with curious
interest to the solution to be had at
Chicago, and an all unutterable dis
gust will creep into their hearts when
they find that the national convention,
like congress, is too cowardly to tackle
the tariff question, too nervous to take
position behind the fundamental prin-
ciples of the democratic party and upon
the line upon which is built up all our
theories and genius of government. 1t
has just come to this, the democracy
must do something at Chicago, or the
party will disband. There is nothing
else to be done. We can no longer be
high tariff on one side of the ALE
ghanies and low tariff on the other
We can not longer consent to rob the
agriculturists of the west and south tC
enrich the manufacturers of the east
No government is or can be fair, just
or impartial which places bur
den upon one man that another
may have an advantage. Thi.
proposition is too plain to need eluci
dation. 1t would be waste of time
to further discuss it. 1t has gone be
yond the stage where discussion is
either desirable or advisable. w,
must either take position bravely ant
unequivocally, or surrender alto
gether.
The delegates to Chicago should b.
chosen with view to this situation
Something decisive must be done. LIE
the work be undertaken by men VIII,
will organize success from the situa
ton; men who will know how to Cal
back the old heart of the party, ant
with the nerve to enter the lists in
contest to the death for victory o
defeat. Just little manhoo,
, now and the tide will be turned, an
the rising free trade sentiment o
the west and south soon grow to b
an uncomfortable force in the. govern
; ing policy of the nation. Texas wit
all her multifarious interests, senti
ments, hopes and fears, has no deare
interest than that bound up in thi
very question of tariff reform. She ca
| stand before the question of lewiston
of the substitution of republican TO
democratic ascendancy, all without
tremor, but with her vast agriculture
and textile productions, stock and tn,
matter of her domestic supplies sh
dare not grow Indifferent to this ques
ton of tariff reform, and Ter const
quence, as to the character Of her dele
gates to the national democratic cor
| vention.
/ The men composing this body mus
not only be true free traders, but the
must be men of intelligence, force @
character, eloquence and nerve to pu
the state on record on that occasion il
way which there will be no mistaB
ing. The voice of this great state, tn
leading commonwealth of the sout
) and the west, must have in it o.
this question no doubtful tones
, 1t must voice no halfway sen
. timents, no weak and milk
and-waterish compromise. New Y or
and all New England must go, if g
they will, because the democracy de
clares again openly and unquivocall,
for free trade. 1t is crisis in the his
tory of the party, and only strong, de
voted and intelligent men are fit tt
figure in it. Let our county and dis
trict conventions remember all this il
their primary work. The democracy
will not die at Chicago without al
earnest effort perform this great and
necessary work for her own perpetuit,
and for the cause of safety to tn,
country. Monopoly must be set bacl
or we will soon have nothing LEFT
sufficiently dear to warrant struggle
in defense.
/ Thick and Thin Organising.
There is no more degrading and un
manly situation in life than thai
which our caption llne describes
/ HTh;1a ;e q &C. 4H;... ,o,.