Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-28
SATURDAY.. NOVEMBER %, 1885
Mr.. RandaIl-The Democratic Party


Mr.. Randall-The Democratic Party
There are two Democratic papers
published in the South which never LEI
escape them an opportunity to make
fling at Mr.. RANDALL. We refer tc
the Charleston News and Courier and
the Louisville Courier-Journdl.
II there is anything certain, it is thai
Mr.. RANDALL's views on the tariff are
substantially those Of at least one third
Of tie men who constitute the National
Democratic party; and yetit because
Of those views that the papers named
are day in and day out casting reiiec-
tons upon Mr.. RANDALL. We say it
is because of those views; but the
Atlanta Constitution SAYS that the
whiskey ring is at the bottom of this
war upon the distinguished Pennsyiva-
man. However this may be, the Demo-
cratic party cannot afford to read out
of its ranks all the men who agree with
Mr.. RANDALL that the declarations of
the national Democratic party in con-
vention assembled last July shall be
carried out in good faith. What says
the platform upon which all good De-
mocrats claim TO be standing? Wequote
its very words;
"All taxation shall be limited 10 the
requirements Of economical government.
The necessary reduction in taxation can
and must be effected without depriving
American labor Of the ability to COM
pete successfully with foreign labor,
and without imposing lower rates Of
duty than will be ample to cover any
increased cost Of production which may
exist in consequence of the higher rate
of wages prevailing in this country"
In the name OF common sense what
does that language mean if it does not
mean what it says--namely, that if the
rate of wages be lower in Europe than
in this country then the workmen in
this country must be protected against
foreign competition in the production Of
whatever articles are sent hitber by the
manufacturers who get the benefit Of
those lower rates Of wages? That's
what the mechanics and other working
men concerned on the subject under
stood our platform to mean and that
is what Mr.. RANDALL said in the cam
paign Of 1884 it meant when he spoke
to the workingmenin Alabama, Georgia,
Tennessee, Virginia, New Jersey, and
New York.
In fact, that plank Of the Chicago
platform seemed at the time TO us to go
further than Mr.. RANDALL had ever
gone. seeing that he has always de-
MED the power Of the Federal Govern
ment to lay tariff for protection alone.
But we suppose that according to his
definition Of tariff for protection alone
this would be prohibitory tariff.
However, we do not propose to enter
Just now into the merits of the tariff
question. Our object is the welfare of
the Democratic party. If Mr.. RAN
DALI and his friends in the House of
Representatives are to be turned over
10 the Republicans, it is certain that
they and the Republican members will
constitute majority Of that body. Are
you trying to accomplish that object,
Messrs. DAWSON and WATTERsON -?
IL not, let us all stand upon the ma
tional Democratic platform Of 1884 until
a new one shall be constructed in 1855.
For whether the former favors protec-
ton or not, it is certain that it is
not a free-trade platform and it is as
unjust to class with the Republicans
the Democrats who understand that
platform to mean what Mr.. RANDALL
saws IL means as it would be TO class
Mr. WATTERsoN and his followers
with the Free Traders. Whoever de-
MES that he is Free Trader thereby
affirms that he is in favor Of tariff Ia
raise revenue for the support Of the
government, and whoever is in favor o.
a tariff for that purpose is in favor
Of protecting American industries a
least incidentally, for surely no mar
could be found who would wish to dis
criminate against cur own industries.
And so it comes to just this: Their
is no practical difference between Mr.
RANDALL and any other Demccra
Who is not Free Trader. And W
may leave the Free Traders out of tn
question for we do not know a
ayowed one. All other Democrat
favor q tariff, and favor a tariff tbs
viii bridge the difference between tn
rate OF wages in Europe and the raj
of wages in this country. Now, wi
Mr.. WATTERsoN or Mr.. DAwso
point out WI erein Mr.. RANDALL is
political sinner, or how il is that be
not . sound Democrat!
II is worthy Of remark that at leas
two,hirds Of the Democrats in Congress
are silver mn. is notthis IS impol
tant . question IS the tariff question
and have not the two thirds Is good
right to rule out the one third in tn
case Of gold and silver as in the case Q
the especially when all Demo
Gratis claim to favor . revenue tariff
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The DEBT QUESTION: The Suffoll
Herald says: