New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-21
4 WARNING TO YOTERH.

The decision of the next Presidential election
will rest with body of thoughtful voters who
care little for the clap-trap of a campaign, IN
dulge in little hero worship or party-worship,
and are able to comprehend the forces which
make parties what they are. TO such voters,
current events offer much instruction.
They will notice that only one party seems to
comprehend the needs or wishes of the people
Every time the Democratic party starts out to
assai Republican position, it presently breaks
itself to pieces against solid wall OF public
opinion. Thus that party promised itself an
easy victory in assailing specie resumption. Its
appeals to prejudice, ignorance, and narrow
self-interest were exceedingly adrOit. with a
loud flourish of trumpets it made ready 10
sweep the country for repeal of the resumption
act Then the quiet citizens, who do not shout
much but understand what they are doing,
began to unite Hosts of Democrats that
backward step would be ruin to business and
dlshonor to the Nation. Public opinion rose
like wall of rock to resist repeal. The Dem
ocrats divided went to pieces, and with impo-
tent rage broke in frOth and foam against the
unmOved barrier Again, a splendid victory
was expected in an assault upon the Civil Ser
vice act. Part of the Republicans were willing
to see the reform arrested Democratic leaders
plausibly urged that a system OF permanent
tenure should not be inaugurated while Repub-
licans filed the offices. But the people have
made it PLAIN that they approve the act and no
party now dares to assail it directly.
The Republican policy on the tariff question
in 1880 was supposed by Democrats to be es-
pecially assailable. Changes had been refused
on the distinct ground that a revision amid all
the excitement of a Presidential year would be
most dangerous to industry. Then the cry
went up, "These monopOlsts refuse to reduce
taxes y the Democrats resolved that they wanted
. tariff for revenue only" and began the fight.
Before the struggle was half over their can
didate was explaining about the "lOcal ISSUE"
and part of his supporters pronounced him
q a good man. weighing 25O pounds" and the
author of the platform was rOundly cursed.
Once more it was found that the Republicans
had accurately expressed the will of the people,
Once more the Democratic party dashed itself
TO pieces against an immOvable wall of public
opinion.
Then the Republican party took the time for
a careful and thorough revision of the tariff,
with due regard for the interests and industries
affected This done, they declared further
change unwise until another Presidential
struggle had passed, and the workings of the
new act had been fairly tested by year or two
of undisturbed experience. The Democrats,
as usual, Numbered again. Because revision
and reduction had been advocated by Republj-
cans last year, they concluded that another re-
vision aud reduction would be popular this
year. And now public opinion is compacting
itself TO resist them, just as it did before The
position that new law ought TO be fairly tested
before another change is made meets with
almost universal approval. The claim that, in
any event, the tariff should be so shaped as to
defend home industry commands the support of
a part of the Democrats themselves. Above all
the position that the difficult and delicate work
of tariff revision cannot be safely undertaken
in the heat of a Presidential year commends
itself to all rational men.
We shall see how the Democratic party will
come out of this latest collision with public
opinion. Many sagacious Democrats admit
that they are more dishcartcncd than they have
been before since the civil war, which, it may
be remarked, the Democratic party caused by
precisely the same stOlid and stupid blindness
and obstinacy which it is now displaying. One
leader of the party says, "the party must go to
pieces unless the protectionists yield" Another
is equally sure that tho party must 90 to pieces
unless the free traders yield" But, whether it