The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-04
what Georgia Has TO Say.
ATLANTA Constitution. leading Democratic pal
In Georgia.

Atlanta Constitution. leading Democratic paper
In Georgia.
II TO advocate policy based on reason
and common sense means "a suppiiant
bending Of the knee" then the C6nstitu-
ton is In favor OF bending two knees ana
crooking several pairs OF hind legs; II IL
Is deceitful for the Democrats to refrain
from attempting to do that which cannot
possibly be done at this time, then the
Constitution Is in favor OF deceit. Both
men and boys have been known before
now to climb creased pole. though 1t is
said the task is an arduous one at best; but
neither man nor boy can climb creased
pole unless there is creased pole 10 climb.
| IL will be time enough for the Democrats
to attempt this feat when the creased pole
has been placed in position.
There is well-defined disposition on the
part OF the organs OF protectionists to
cover up the purposes OF the Democratic
party with the cry OF free trade, and in
such States as New York. New Jersey, and
Connecticut, where the business interests
are not only extremely sensitive but eX-
ceedingly powerful. very little argument
is needed to make the cry a plausible
one. The Constitution is not at all anX-
ious to see the Democrats in Congress
overdo the tariff-reform business, par
ticularly when they are tied hand and
foot so far as any practical re-
form is concerned. The argumcntatiye
knee. whether suppIiant or not. must bend
in the presence OF facts. and the important
fact before which its unwilling hinges will
have to screak is that the men who have
placed Mr.. Carlisle in the chair have it in
their power TO make or mar the fortunes OF
the Democratic party during the present
year. =. That they cannot make its fortunes
by toutng for popularity on n policy that
will give plausibility TO the frec-trade cry
OF the protectionist organs is a fact that
ought to be clear enough to any reasoning
or reasonable man in the party.
II is an easy matter TO talk about tariff
reform, and it is an easy matter to reform
liz on paper. Editors, as we'll rs politi-
cilns. dispose of il with word and ges-
turc-with Il snap Of the finger and the
crack of rhetorical whip. But the fact
remains that the whole question cOnsti-
tutos one of the most difficult and delicate
OF modern political problems-giving to the
word political" dignity Of meaLing
which modern usage has shOrn il OF. When
the Constitution, or any other newspaper,
declares that it is in favor Of tariff reform the
very importance OF the matter makes the
declaration vague. We are in favor Of
equalizing taxation as nearly as possible.
We are in favor of compelling some OF the
protected interests which have grown rich
and powerful under our present system
TO share the oppressive burdens of taxa
ton with the great mass OF the people. We
are in favor of making the necessities OF
the Government the measure OF taxation.
But what does the Savannah Ne,cS mean
when it declares for tariff reform? Before
it gives the word 10 the Democrats in Con-
grcss TO go ahead with the goat-shearing.
perhaps it will be kind enough to descend
TO particulars. Does the NelrS want the
tlrif' on rice reformed? II so, in what
direction! A great deal can be said both
for and against such a proposition. On
the one hand, ii could be said that the cot
ton-grOwerS have rs much right to the BEN
efts oi protection as the rio, planters: on
the other hand, it could be SAID that ii the
rioe-pianters were placed on the same foot
.1S with the cOtt)n-grOwerS a great indus
Try would be absolutely wiped out. Where
docs our esteemed contemporary stand on
the question Of reforming the tariff so far
aS il affects the rice-planting Industry