New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-16
his desire to promote cordial relations with the
Northern Power.
rs THE PRESIDENT woBBLIYGr

rs THE PRESIDENI HoDDLfNu'
The wool question will be settled this week.
ms far as the Democratic House can settle 1t.
Then il is expected that President Cleveland
will find new phrases in which to set forth, in
his long delayed letter of acceptance, his posi-
ton as the frec-trade protectionist champion.
Reports of anxious deliberations among lead
ing Democrats over the phraSeology OF this
letter indicate that an attempt to change front
is meditated, and it is perhaps as well that
the President himself has not enough clearness
Of understanding to prevent the adoption of
any dodge which may be recommended for
him. What other men would realize was self
qualification might easily be adopted by him
as mere explanation Of the position taken in
his annual message. But he is likely to learn,
before the campaign ends, that mere phrases
are not soul-satisfying to wool-growers
II has been limited repeatedly of late that
shrewd Democratic leaders would like to be
beaten in the House on the wool question, so
that they could solemnly inform Ignorant voters
that free wool was net part OF the Democratic
policy. Incredible as it may seem, some OF
them actually believe that the party would not
be held responsible for the votes of nine
tcnths of its members, nor the President for
his own recommendation, If the free-w0ol clause
should fail of majority in the House. SO
true is it that the only hope Of the Democratic
party is in the ignorance of voters. 1t will
appear in dne time whether any wo)-groweis
or wool workers are so dense and dull as to be
deceived again this year. Meanwhile, the few
essential facts in the case may be rroftably
kept in mind.
President Cleveland, Speaker Carlisle, Sec
rotary Fairhild Mr. Mills and few other
leaders of the party in repeated consultations
a wear ago. agreed upon the essential features
of the Tariff bill now pending President
Cleveland devoted an entire annual message to
the advocacy of this one measure, ignoring all
other recommendations which the Constitution
requires him to make to COngreSS-a thing
never done before by any President lie
adopted as his own the theories which British
Free Traders have been preaching for fifty
wears. as the British journals joyfully state,
and lest there should be any mistake about
their application, expressly and unequivocally
recommended the abolition Of all duties on
wool. This, he affirmed would give life to
the manufacture, and if the wool-grower suf-
fered some he would be more than compensat-
ed. the President argued, by getting cheaper
clothes.
A Democratic House. organized by the Pres
ident's friends, matured a bill in accordance
with the Presidents recommendations His
influence forced its adoption in Democratic
caucus. and afterward an explicit Endorsement
Of the bill and Of the Presidents message in
the National platform of the Democratic party.
So far party and candidate moved in harmony
to secure a practical application Of absolute
free trade to the wool business. This effort
can now be arrested only by the solid OPPOSE
ton of Republican defenders of protection.
Mr.. Cleveland does not seem to understand
that any attempt to crawfish now would do him
more harm than good As matters stand, he
has a certain credit for courage, and the people
like that even where they vote against 1t.
He gets credit for honesty of belief, and several
millions of American citizens do believe as the
President professed to believe. Would 1t help
him to confess publicly that he was both
coward and a dishonest tIickster? Would it
help him to swallow his own words when all
the world must Of necessity charge the change
TO the fear of defeat? If he has that i'm
preston, Republicans at least will be exceed
ingly thankful to see him act upon it. They
know, if he does not, that an honest and man
" Free Trader can poll more votes than any
cowardly knave who tries to suit both sides.