New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-13
DEMOCRATS dRE WORRIED.

Certain prominent Democrats at Washington
already begin to consider how they can aban-
don their free-trade theories, and especially
Mr.. Cleyeands free wool proposition. before
tho farmers have a chance to express their
opinion about it. The Address to Farmers
has given them the blues They foresee that
il will mean mischief for them in every West
crn State, unless they can contrivc to dodge
the issue once more. All right, gentlemen;
run away again if you think best. The farmers
and The TRIBUNE will have sufficient cause
for congratulation il the latest and most
threatening attack on American industry can
be beaten and turned into Illuminating rout
with only a single shot. The principal object
was to stop the mcdltatcd trcachcry of Con-
gress and the President to great National in
tcrests. Confess and abandon it, Mcssrs.
Democrats, and you will at least show some
shrewdness.
But that is not to be expected, and the farm
crs in every part of the country who believe
in protection had better 90 right on with their
petitions at once. President Cleveland would
be an impossible candidate for his party. if it
should once admit that he had deliberately
proposed surrender of great Industries. sur
render so wrongful and so unwisc that his own
marty in Congress would not attempt it. On
the other hand, 10000 office-h0ldcrs, who
have been put into fat places within the past
three years, would sooner sec the party risk
defeat than open the doors to new candidate
and a new set of men. Behind this is the fact
that four-ffths of the party in Congress actu-
ally want what the President proposed Still
if any Democratic members of Congress want
to be stifrcncd in resisting the Presidents
British policy they can thank THE TRIBUNE
and privately hint to their friends at home to
circulate petitions, as proposed in the Address
to Farmers.
Republican members are disposed to give
THE TRIBUNE great credit for bringing the
wishes of farmers into definite shape. so that
they shall be properly considered. All right;
they can help the good work by bringing the
Address to the attention of farmers in their
districts who may not have seen it. THE
TRIBUNE has but one object in the mattcr-to
stir up the farmers so that they shall give the
subject full and fair consideration. Nothing
but blind indifference and years OF persistent
misrepresentation have prevented an over
whelming verdict of farmers long ago in favor
a market for farm products larger than existed
anywhere in the world twenty-five years ago.
Nothing but their own blind Indifference has
prevented an adjustment of duties for the more
effective protection of agriculture in this coun-
try and it is high time for that indifference to
cease.
The work will not end with the defeat Of
frce-trade schemes at this session. That
wonld be only beginning The farmers want
definite and positive legislation for their own
moro effective protection. and they are entitled
to demand it. The principles which make
protection duty in the case Of any branch Of
manufacture which is retarded or crippled by
foreign competition. are Just as strong when
the prosperity of any branch Of agriculture is
concerned in any part Of our common country.
The prosperity Of producers everywhere is the
aim of protection, and the effort Of farmers to
get themselves heard ought not to cease until
the legislation they desire has been enacted
and faithfully enforced.