The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-13

lie SHfHQauOdn tQHSy S"'o'
.Usuaily we have no difficulty In under.
standing the position OF the k'cnmond
DiSp0lch. But we must CONFESS tnat we
have been considerably puzzled 10 deter.
mine where It stands In regard TO the tariu
question, or tariff reform. 1t seems some
Zines 70 be In favor OF a high protective
tariff, especially when 1t inveighs against
Carlisle and the Democrats who supported
him and favor q tariff reform. charging
Them with being sfree-traders.'
.sAgain: It claims that such reform ought
mot TO be agItated, and vet It continually
agitates the tariff subject, rather defend
ing the Democrats who opposed Carlisle,
and yiudicating high protective tariff. IL
apnears In deprecate division In the Dem
ocratic party on that subject, whilst some
Of lis articles relative to the tariff, II seems
20 us, are well calculated to produce divl-
sion. II II f. improper to agitate that mat
ter, why not let II rest quietly!"
We have never said one word against
Mr.. CARLISLE, nor sgainst the Democrats
who supported him for Speaker. So much
for that point.
As 10 the rest, we have accomplished the
object we have had In view II we have sue
ceeded in convincing the Democrats that II
Is dangerous to divide on the tariff ques-
ton, and yet have been so prudent in our
utterances that no one can charge us with
having advanced an argument In favor OF
or against protection.
Why not let the tariff alone? Wewould
like to have that privilege, but our sense oil
our duty 10 the Democratic party will not
allow us 10 remain silent so long as the Vdt'
lev and other papers are engaged in trying
to convince the voters that Mr.. RANDALL,
Mr.. VOORHEES,, Mr.. HOPKINS. Mr.. G. ID.
WISE, and thousands OF other good Demo-
Gratis, are enemies to the welfare Of the peo-
ple. These men are as sound Democrats as
any in the Uuion. but the Valley talks
about them as follows:
"The truth is, no country has right to
tax one portion Of its citizens for the bene-
fit OF another portion"
That means, as we understand it, though
II does not mention their names, that
VOORHEES,, RANDALL, HOPKINS, CONVERSE,
PAYNE, and all the protectionist Demo-
Gratis are in favor Of taxing one portion OF
the citizens OF this country for the benefit
Of another portion; whereas they believe
that the policy they advocate is best for all
the people OF all the sections OF the Union.
Are they to be thus spoken Of, and we TO
be charged with agitating the tariff ques-
ton because we defend thems
Again: The Valley says:
"What the Democratic party needs to
prove successful is positive position
based on sound principles. No party can
be long perpetuated on negatives and
equivocatiOns."
That means that anti.protection princi- |
pies are " sound principles " and that pro-
tectionist Democrats do not hold "sOund |
principles" Is that the way TO prevent a |
division Of the Democratic party on the
tariff question? Isn't it time for some
body to step in and at least endeavor to |
prevent the thousands OF protectionists in |
Virginia from being turned over to the /
Republican party!
Having explained our position to the |
Valley, we will now quote from its own
columns language which we fully endorse,
and which tells exactly all that we have de-
sired to do in connection with the tariff.
The Valley says:
1.-THE fact Is, we need revenue reform; |
but whilst this is true, it does not follow |
that this must be the only issue in the
presidential campaign. There are other
matters Of equal importance"
Not simply Of equal importance, but Of
much greater. We quote the Valley again
"We can see no necessity for division |
In the Democratic party growing out OF |
the tariff, even II there are differences OF /
opinion relative to 1t. 1t is not the only |
principle that distinguishes the Democratic |
party from the Republican. There are |
many other important principles involved |
in the polity OF our Government. These. |
for the bests interests OF the country, de- |
serve to be defended, maintained. and per- |
petuated. The Republicans do not split |
because OF difference on single point. |
There are two policies for the government
of this Countrywide Democratic and the
Republican and the chief question is,
Which Of these shall prevail! The tariff
is not the only absorbing question"
So far we 90 with the Valley; but right
there it goes off into another argument in
favor of its own side Of the tariff question
and against the side OF all the Democrats
who do not agree with 1t on that question.
We have never done so. At least in all
that we have said on the subject we have
tried to avoid saying a single word that
could be objected to by the tariff reiormers,
and to advance no arguments in favor Of
the doctrine Of protection.
In word, we deprecate division in the
Democratic party Of Virginia.
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