National Republican., 1886-12-15
Coast Defenges,

1t is now quite clear that the Democracy
will do nothing to fortify our exposed cities
and commerce against foreign attack. The
Democratic party moves forward upon a
very low plane Of intelligence. II has very
little conception Of craftsmanship, and ab.
solutely no discipline In It's ranks TO execute
any policy which this administration can or
may formulate. 1t has been the darling
idea Of large majority Of the party to re.
form the tariff; but there is no coherency in
their membership to accomplish 1t. Ran
dali, using the power which revenue re.
form speaker gives him, defeats the pro.
iessed policy Of the speaker and slS.sevenths
Of the party to which they both belong.
The lnsincerity Of the speaker In appointing
q chairman Of the leading committee OF
the House who is pledged to defeat what
the speaker was elected to execute must be
clear to every one, The Democracy dare
not carry out their pledges to cut down the
revenue. To save themselves from con-
tempt, excited by continued failure to have
policy upon this subject, a sham contro-
versy is kept alive between the two wings
of the party. The speaker clamors year
after year for reform, and at the same time
places a man in control Of the subject to
prevent reform. This course is uncandid or
imbecile. When we reach the coast defense
branch Of their politics, the same double
dealing is carried on. The President aud
| his Cabinet recommend, with all the rhetorl.
cal coloriDg they can give the subject, the
establishment Of coast defenses. They see
that II war should occur the dome OF the
Capitol could be shot away by a war vessel
entering and ascending the Potomac with
out opposition; that the great commercial
cities Of the Uuion could be razed to the
ground while the inhabitants thereof would
I've compelled to fee TO the interior like a
flock of sheep. accommodation Of the
| President, however urgent, make but little
impression upon the stupid machinery OF
the party itself. The majority OF the House
Of Repres entatives, feeling a conscious inca.
pacity to grapple with any great
subject, have surrendered their con-
victions ou all questions OF expenditures OF
public money into the keeping of Mr.. Ran
dali. His politics consist in economizlng
upon the uourishment of the country. His
public speeches consist In, and are confined
to, an encomium upon a dollar. The Amer
lean Eagle is, as he believes, in the very
ecstasy Of his mission as he reposes upor
the shining surface Of a gold or silver dol
lar. He knows nothing of the bird beyond
this. Mr.. Randall has, for many long
weary years, striven to be President. Tt
his vision there is but one path open to hin
leading to that great office, and that is thu
route OF national parslmony.
Mr.. Randall does not intend that an,
scheme Of defense shall be carried out dur
ing this administration. Among hi
friends 1t is given out that no appropriation
for the purpose shall pass the House a
this session. Mr.. Cleveland's policy is t.
be crushed and Randall's put in the lead
No coast defenses can be relied upon.
The remedy for this is the return OF tn
Republican party to power. The Senat
sees the gravity of the situation, and SYN
pathises with the President, but canno
furnish brains to the Democratic party o
the House.