St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-01
THE COUNSEL or saGE.

Hon. Erastus Corning, OF Albany, mas
national fame as a Democrat and reputation
as solid business man. He is supporting
Cleveland and Hendricks ardently, both
! because he is a Democrat and has confidence
in their integrity TO perform the high duties
Of their stations as becomes honest men and
patriots. Mr.. Corning is a manufacturer,
extensively interested in the great iron
works of Albany and Troy, and takes a
business mans interest in the canvass,
rather than the ex-parte attitude of q
politician.
Mr.. Corning says that he regards the at
tempt by Blaine, or by any partisans whom
soever, to get up tariff scare for election
purposes as a sham that ought not to de-
ceive anybody. In fact the bringing forward
this spook, as 1t were, is too transparent not
to be seen through by men who have not
lost their heads under temporary political ex-
element. 1t is adevice which reflects no
credit on the wisdom or scruples of those
who use it or on the sense of those misled by
| it.
From his vision a change Of parties is not
productive of change of policies. Which
ever party succeeds each of them win be
divided up within itself, as before, on tart fl
matters. The number of men in
both parties who are for G reason
able tariff outnumber the men in
both who are for radical experiments. This
fact of itself insures American industries
against unforeseen changes in tariff laws.
A majority maintained upon this practical
basis gave the country honest money and
secured resumption, and was an impregna-
] BILE wall against the theories of financial and
tariff madcsps and humbugs, who made
some noise, but made no Roadway against
the hard sense Of the safe and prudent men
of the country.
No matter what Mr.. Blaine may
advocate or Ben Butler say, they
are not accepted leaders of public thought
and it can be taken for granted that no tariff
| legislation which is sudden, sweeping or
radical can take place, none which may
ieopardize vested interests and present in
dustries. The business situation which now
prevails will prevail after election, and
will dictate the same treatment then that it
would now, were Congress in session. The
fact of the whole matter is, self interest,
hard facts, public opinion and the united in
telligence of business men viii be brought
to bear within each party and on both, the
same as it is seen to-day.
Mr.. Corning very senslbly takes the view
that there never has been President able or
inclined TO initiate tariff legislation Of a
wholesale kind. As a matter of fact their
powers are limited Presidents, he says
! Take their cue from congress on such questions /:
congress takes its cue from the business men OF
the country, From public opinion and from the
| desire OF the members TO be reelected A
| fanatical free-trader in the white house or.the
| treasury would be unable TO be fanatical free
| trader anywhere but in his mind. Party policy
| and composite public opiAion acting on any ex-
| ecutive would make him a conservative on
| economic questions inst as the
| like forces and the influence
of position make any judge a conservative on
constitutional questions. Stump speakers and
hysterical newspapers have ali the excite
ment to themselves. In the mills and facto-
ries. apparently, the only excitement is that
| of increasing the work and eniarging trans.
| actions. The very men who encourage the
politicians to get up a tariff scare, laugh AT
them as dupes or demagogues. The same scare
was raised four years ago, and we know what the
condition OF the country is to-day. The Repub-
! licans attempt the same scare periodically, and
yet the same condition Of affairs continues.
The words OF the sold man eloquent,
weigh ton to the square inch.