New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-03
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

This is campaign without precedent, so
far. The characteristic feature which was no
ticed as soon as the nominations had been
made still continues; Democrats Of local infiu-
ence throughout the Northern States are aban-
doning their party because of its hostility to
protection. Perhaps in 1910, If there had been
as many daily newspapers to record changes
occurring, there would have been reported
changes equally numerous and important in
favor of the Harrison of that day, and against
the INSCRIPTIONS New-Yorll demagogue who
was at that time candidate for reelection
When the Republican party was formed Dem
ocrats in large bodies seeded from their party
on account of the slavery question, but that
was general reconstruction of parties. This
year the characteristic feature is the movement
of individual voters from one long established
party TO another long established party from
the policy which the Democracy has steadily
advocated for many years to the policy which
has governed Republican legislation since 1860.
For weeks not single daily issue has ap-
pcared without notices of such changes. If
one takes up Republican journal published
in any Northern State from Maine to Califor-
MIA, he observes similar items Of news, though
Gratis who change positions are mentioned in
press dispatches. 1t continues noticeable, also,
that these changes appear most numerous in
the States which have been debatable ground.
In California so many have occurred already
that the grand Republican State Convention
just held was gladdened by strong confidence
Of a victory to match the one achieved in
Oregon. In Ohio the revolt of Democratic
wOol-growers and workers in manufactures and
mines has extinguishcd all hope that the COM
bnatiOn of the millionaire railroad president
and stock Spectator with the bandanna anti
railway legislator can capture the State which
Democrats held in their grasp four years ago.
The changes in Indiana, New y orl. New-Jer-
soy and Connecticut have been so numerous
that even the dullest Democratic readers be-
gin to realize what they mean.
This uprising seems to many a strange phe-
nomenon. The Democratic party is, in fact,
lust what il has been for many years, and avows
the same doctrines and aims. 1t declared for
&C. tariff for revenue only'' in 1875. ard had
cast nearly all is votes in the House for free
trade bills again and again, before Mr. Cleve-
land was elected. as it has since. Yet Demo-
Gratis were slow to believe that their party,
when clothed with power and trusted with the
grave responsibilities Of government, would
make war on the industries OF the country.
They hugged the delusve hope that its South
ern majority would be found to have learned
something from the marvellous development OF
industries under protection. They put conf
dcnce in President Cleveland's professions when
a candidate and in the assurances Of Demo-
Gratis like Mr. Randall, Smith Weed and Bar
nun. A revolution comes now because the
acts of the President and party prove that these
professions and assurances were false, and that
Republicans werc right in believing the Demo-
cratic party hostile to the National policy upon
which industries have been so greatly de-
yeloped. Once convinced Democratic voters
are changing by the thousand.
Another thing that counts is the exposure Of
false pretences by which sincere Republicans
have been led aStray. The record of daily
events includes many changes of voters who
desired Civil Service reform, and supported
Mr.. Cleveland four years ago because of has
pledges on that subject, but who have learned
that the public service has not been so de-
graded and demoralized by any other Presi-
dent since Martin Van Buren, as by this pre-
tending reformer. Daily reports tell, too, of
the other voters who held that it was time to
create q National Temperance party, in the
belief that the Republican party would fail
to meet the temperance issue justly. These
voters see that Republicans have enacted jul
dicious laws in many States, and meanwhile
they also see that a vote for Prohibition
ticket will only help the Free Traders to capt
ure the Government and to break down home
industries.
All these are signs of encouragement and
rapid progress. But Republican leaders will
not suffer any mistaken confidence that the
victory is already won to relax their efforts.
They will understand that the signs Of the
times mean only this, that the victory GER
tainly can be won by sustained and well-di-
rected efforts.