New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-10
LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.


It is one of the misforuncs Of our system
of government, in many respects tho best the
world has seen, that the people rarely have the
chance to decide grave question Of National
policy or duty by their votes In almost every
election the personal fitness or popularity of
candidates has a large influence. The elections
arc rare in which several distinct issues do not
affect the vote Of many, so that 1t is possible
for those who have met defeat to attribute 1t
TO either of several causes other than that
which actually swayed the majority of votes.
Yet verdcts Of the people are sometimes so
distinct and decisive that they practically put
an end TO discussion. There has been much
reason to hope that the election of this year
would prove one of these; that it would make
so clear the will of the people, for or against
the policy of protection by tariff, that all par
ties would accept its meaning.
Foreign observers find it difficult to under
stand that the reelection of President Cleve-
land can by anybody be expected except on
the ground that the people deliberately ap-
prove the hostility to the protective policy
which he has so plainly avowed. To them it
ems impossible that Americans who hold that
policy wise, just and necessary, can by any
possibility be induced to favor the Presidents
reelection, after he has not only avowcd his
convictions so clearly, but exercd his Exccu-
tive power in the most direct way to influence
the votes Of Congressman for measure III
harmony with those convictions. 1t is no Sc
crct that the Mills bill, in all its essentials,
was determined upon in conferences between
the President, the Secretary of the Treasury
the Speaker of the House and leading members
of the majority. 1t is no secret that the bill,
in it's essentials, was the issue upon which the
President resolved to seek denomination and
reelection; that he has been sustained by
caucus of his party in the House, and by all but
about a dozen out of 10 Democratic men,
bers that he has been renominated without any
opposition, because that issue made it impos-
sible for the party to offer any other candidate
to the people, that he has directed the selec-
ton of candidate for President who is in
entire harmony with the Presidents position,
and the adoption of a platform which expressly
ndorses his message and the pending bill, and
uses his very ideas and phrases in setting forth
the purposes of the party. To a foreign OBJ
server it must seem that an American is hope
less idiot who looks for the reelection of the
President unless the people approve his free
trade ideas Honest men of all parties in this
country, since the Democratic convention adj
journed, have been disposed TO give that body
credit for sincerity and manhood. Yet some
towards still remain, who profess to find in the
action of the convention reputation Of the
declared convictions of its candidate, and
reputation of the efforts Of nine-tenths of the
party in Congress. Desperate indeed must be
the plight of men who think an untruth so
bIazen their best excuse for supporting Mr..
Cleveland.
1t is most important for the industries and
the business of the country that the issue which
the President has chosen shall be frankly made
by his friends and met by his opponents. No
man who is at all conversant with business
affairs can doubt that uncertainty regarding
the tariff, hopes and fears of its radical altcra
ton, and agitation every year for radical
change therein, have done incalculable harm
to laborers, to employers, and TO business
men of every branch Tho agitation
has been renewed every winter for several
years, and every winter it has brought mis-
chief Belief or fear that the tariff would be
radically changed has prevented investment of
capital in a great number of cases; resources
of incalculable value remain undeveloped be-
cause OF this uncertainty; purchases of prod
ucts, the prices of which are thought TO be
affected by the tariff, have been retarded and
at this very time works are idle, for no other
reason, which should employ several hundred
thousand persons. is it not patriotic to hope,
is it not the duty of every good citizen to in
sist, that the issue which President Cleveland
has frankly raised shall lie brought to a de-
cisive vote? If the people believe as he does,
on this question of ovcrshadowing Importance
to the public welfare, let Mr.. Cleveland be re-
elected by vote so decisive that the country
shall at once accept radical change as incvita-
bic, and pass to the consideration of its details.
Or if the people believe him in error, let him
be defeated by vote so decisive that practical
men will cease efforts for radical change of
policy, and turn their attention to revision of
the tariff in harmony with protective prin-
ciples. Every friend or opponent of the pro-
tective policy knows that reduction of
hundred millions in the revenue can be made
at once, without lessening in the least degree
the protective force of the tariff All know
that the attempt to take off duties on wool is
an attempt to break down the protective sys-
TEN at a vital point, so that other changes of
like intent shall be immeasuIably more easy.
Is there not manhood enough and patriotism
enough to send the slSulkcrs and the dishonest
knaves to the rear, and to meet an issue fairly
raised with an honest and decisive verdict?
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PEACE At HIGH COST