The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-17
IN win Not Down"


Under this heading, the crratic ana emo
tioua, WArrERsoS, who would rather have
CARLISLE nominated and defeatedfor Prcsi-
dent Of the United States than to have KAN
DALI nominated and elected to that once,
insists upon Il that the Democratic party
has determined upon "tafih reform"
This so-callcd reform he says, "wilinot
down.
N we knew what the words "tarif re-
form, were intended to mean. we could
form more intelligent opinion as to
whether Mr.. WATTERsoN Is or Is not mis-
taken In his sweeping declaration. To
.reform " man or measure Is simply 10
improve him or t.. In this sense, "tarin
reform" may nc declared 10 be measure
upon which all Democrats are agreed.
There Is great deal in the manner OF
stating a case. We let Mr.. WATTERsoN
speak for himself. He says:
..Thcre are two elements in the Demo-
cratic party which are trying to interpose
stumbiing-blocks in its way TO tarih re-
form. One OF these Is composed OF that
class Of weI+meaning people who hold tilat
II Is. to say the least, an indiscrction ior
the Democracy TO express positive con,
viction on any important subject Deyond
mere generalitics, and who contend that IN
lieu of aggressive principles we shouia
continue to pursue policy OF mere oppo-
sIt.on 10 the Republicans. For the Demo,
cracy to formulate and Uphold q pracucai
and ,,nmis.akable issue. say these timorous
4. =. L., 20
elevation from which IL can the more
easily be Knocked down.
The fault OF that statement Is that it is
not true. I, Is mere travesty OF the rea-
sons assigned by Messrs. RANDALL, Con-
VERSE, HOPKINS, VOORHEES,, and their sup
porters. why the Democratic party should
not divide upon the tariff question. These
gentlemen say, OF course. that for The
Democratic National Convention to declare
for "a tariff for revenue only" would be
TO insure defeat in the presidential cleo
ton; but they do not admit that the
Democratic party ought to make such
a declaration but for its unpopular
ity. Now, Mr.. WATTERsoS in the above
paragraph assumes-and his followers
assume-that the opponents OF that de-
claration are In favor Of "a tariff
for revenue only" but deem 1t impolitic
to say so in formulating the creed OF the
national Democratic party. This is beg
ging the question. The Virginia, Ohio.
New jersey, and Pennsylvania platforms
Of last year all declared in favor OF
tariff" not "for revenue only" but one
so adjusted as "to encourage productive
interests at home and afford just compen-
sation TO labor; and it is because they
believe in tariff of this kind. that they do
not wish the party TO declare in favor OF a
tariff "for revenue only"
1t is time for Mr. WATTERsON to cease
aspersipg Democrats better than himself.
II is time for him to let his readers know
that the protection Democrats are opposed
to tariff for revenue only; and, being
opposed 10 it, do not wish the party to de-
clare in favor OF such tariff. II would be
just as lair for them to charge Mr.. WAT
TERsoN and his followers with being afraid
to come out boldly for tariff q to encou-
rage productive interests at home" Nei-
Their side ought to be expected to come out
for the doctrine taught by the other side;
and neither side ought to be charged with
wishing to pursue ga policy OF mere OPP
position to the Republicans ,, because it is
unwilling 20 declare Cor doctrine which
IL does not hold tn he soIlnd
OF course, il the tariff is the most inn
portant question before the country, Mr..
WATTERsoN is right in seeking to divide
the voters upon that question. But IL not,
not. Certainly be will utterly fail to dra-
COON the Democrats who conscientiously
favor the tariff described in the Virginia
platform of last year into the support OF
his wild notions. He might sooner expect
them TO come up to the support OF his pro-
position to give the whiskcy ring two
years longer IN which to pay the Govern
ment sixty-three millions of dollars OF
taxes on wiiskey already in bond.