National Republican., 1884-05-10
TREACHERYIN THEPARTY.
Mr.. Henry WatteHOn's Comments on the De-
Capitation Of MorrisOns Bill.
What the People May Expect from the
Democratic Party.
Courier. journal, Mdv Z.

NaNH'NpA
cratic party. In full face of the enemy,
acting under strict and unmistakablo orders
from the people, few democrats deserted
their colors, and in conjunction with tho
united forces of the republicans brought
upon tho party singing and most disgrace
ful defeat.
Tho vote on the Morrison bill was close,
and tho bill was beaten, and beaten by the
votes of renegade democrats. 1t was COM
promise measure offered in good faith to those
who keep no faith.
small guerrilla band within tho lines of
the party has, since the opening of tho session,
acted under orders from tho republican
leaders. 1t is coalition rs disgraceful as
any in our political history. The party has
been betrsyod-betrayed by those whom it
has delighted to honor.
There Is in the mind of no candid man any
shadow Of doubt what is the will of tho ma.
jority of democratic voters. In every way
open to them they have frankly and fairly
expressed themselves. Even the democrats
Of Ohio are committed by their platform to
some measure of tax reduction, yet in tho
face of these unmistakablo declarations, u bill
proposing the most Insignificant and unsatis-
factory reductions, n bill drawn for the pur-
pose of uniting tho party on some measure Of
does no harm, is rejected in obedience TO
orders from the republican managers, who are
determined to put astop TO otarif agitation.
Tho success of the democratic party Is
nothing to the so-called democrats from
Pennsylvania and Connecticut. They are
serving not the people, but subsidized in
terests. The dictates of few manufacturers
are with them of more binding force than the
expressions of the party caucus.
1t will not do any longer to plead the past
services of Mr.. Randall and Mr.. Eaton; the
same plea was recently made by Mr.. Eaton
for Benedict Arnold. They have plainly
determined to rule or to ruin the democratic
party. They have, from the beginning of the
session, worked TO thwart the wishes of tho
people and to make our recent victories at tho
polls barren and valuelcss. By their course,
refusing every offer of compromise, they have
caused q breach in the party which is as
irreconcilable as it was unnecessary. Men
who cannot support SO moderate a measure us
the Morrison bill should be brave enough and
frank enough TO readjust their party rela-
| tions.
1t is only as q democratic newspaper that
we deplore the action of the house yesterday.
| The cause itself has received no serious check.
| A trumpet has been sounded that will never
| call retreat. The issue is joined now before
the people. The Morrison bill is the last OF
| the compromise measures, as the iniquitous
VII WAS tuG uTbU. Il ne uHy lOr
| all compromises has ceased. Ho is blind
indeed who sees no signs of q popular
| uprising. Among the manufacturers of Now
England, among the commercial men of New
York, among the farmers of the west and OF
the south, is manifest the same determination
| to reduce the war tariff, and return steadily
| to taxation for revenue only.
The rejection of the Morrison bill is, as faI
| as protected interests are concerned, q blundeI
that, as the contest progresses, will assume
| the proportions of crime. Instead of 0
conservative and gradual reduction, there
| will come demand no congress can resist fol
| sweeping and radical reductions. Postpone
ment and delay simply serve to unity the
elements of reform, unto its friends, and
| give courage and determination to the lead
ers.
The democratic party to-day is in disgrace
Placed by an overwh Ginning popular vote il
control of the house of reDresen tatives, it ha
accomplished nothing. To attempt to turI
it aside from tariff agitation was folly; Il
suppose that the party itself will for mo
ment submit to the dictation and control of
handful of bashi, bazouks is sheer idiocy
The caucus may not be able to contro
Messrs. Eaton, Converse, and Randall, bu'
an appeal lies from them to the national con
ventiOn, and from the convention to the peo
pie. Party discipline as far as this congress
is concerned has been destroyed. Insubordi
nation and insurrection have for a momen
triumphed, but only for moment. TIL,
people are in advance of their leaders a
they will soon.S discover. The eifruits of ou
last victory have been frittored away, but tn,
national convention must reorganize tn,
party, punish deserters, and order towards s,
| the rear.
The principle for which we arc Intending
Is vital-it is pressing, and it demands atten
| tion. Wo could not thrust it aside if w,
! HnnId 4 Rannnnia n,p ,.,in
down. The democratic party is the party o
revenue reform, or it 10 nothing. If our lead
ers are not equal to their opportunities; 4
they lack courage and determination; if the,
are still doubling and hestating, we mus
have change of leaders, or the party itsel
will be as disorgani2ed and as useless as tn,
| democratic majority in control of the house
The republicans arc thoroughly committed
against any reduction Of war taxes, agains
any agitation of the subject. The democrats
| party, by its national and state platforms, by
the election of Mr.. Carlisle, by the vote of al
but few renegades yesterday for tho Morri
son bill, is irrevocably committed in favor o
agitation and reduction. Thus is the issu,
| formed. Wo cannot retreat if we would
We must 20 forward or we must surrender
II the people want protection, as Messrs
Randall, Eaton, and Converse claim, theI
they will Sec that tho government 10 given il
charge Of the republican party. The demo
cratic party cannot be trusted to maintain
the protective system, which it has denounced
as a masterpiece of iniquity.
Committed to this side of tho issue, tn,
action Of the house yesterday was an un
pardonable betrayal of trust. If we are t.
gain tho support of the people, it is by con
slant agitation and firm and consistent
action. The agitation will go on with re
newod vigOr as protest against the conspir
acy which for awhile prevents any relic
of tho people from the excessive war taxos
In the language of Mr.. Hurd: "Neither tn,
ambitions nor tho fears of men can stay il
The agitation has already begun. 1t is heard
throughout the land. The people, long silen
and quiet, are moving now. The culture ant
the chivalry Of the nation, long anxious fol
this hour, are ready to tako tho lead. TIL,
conflict cannot be longer delayed and the enc
cannot be doubtful. Private oxtortion mus
yield to public right. Selfish interests mus
be sacrificed to the general good, and eacf
| individuals manhood must be left free un
hindered. and unhelped by government t
work out its own destiny. And in the glo
rious result of the struggle | am sure thai
this protection giant of robbery and oppres
sion will disappear from tho land. never
again to oiiond America by his presence, mol
IN darlpn its fair Baldg will, big uhu1nuy