The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-01
Questions Suggested by a Contem-

POI
The double-leaded editorial which the
esteemed Constitution, of Atlanta, printed
last Sunday, defining The Democratic
Situation, and its own position is rather
curious one. The impression it leaves upon
the reader is that, finding that the Demo
crafts Of Georgia repudiate its high protect
i've tariff views, and condemn its utter
ances in behalf of free whisky and tobacco,
it proposes, for time at least, to advocate
tariff reform, as outlined in the Presidents
tariff message. Perhaps after it has been
in harmony with the Democratic party on
the tariff issue for few months. it will
decide to continue to be a supporter of tariff
reform. 1t may be that it has lingering
regret that it ever deserted the tariff reform
standard, and proposes to get back into the
position on the tariff that it occupied few
years ago.
The reason it gives for suspending its
efforts for free whisky and tobacco, and in
support of protected monopolies, is that it
regards the denomination of Mr.. Cleveland
and the adoption of platform embodying
the views expressed in his tariff message as
inevitable, and it proposes to be in the front
rank, when the campaign begins, fighting
for Mr. Clevelands election.
1t may say that it does not propose to
abandon its tariff position, and become an
advocate of tariff reduction during the
campaign, but if Mr.. Cleveland is renomi-
mated on a platform in harmony with his
tariff message, and it gives him a cordial
support, how can it avoid doing so? If it
does do SO can the impression be avoided
that its tariff convictions are not very pro-
found Onese
1t is true that it says that it disagrees
with the tariff policy ''laid down by the
President in his message" and that that
policy "endangers success in New York,
New Jersey and Connecticut" without in
surfing success in any State that is now
regarded as Republican. Italso says that
the Presidents tariff policy twill check, if
it does not permanently stop, the industrial
growth Of the South, but if it is convinced
that the Presidents tariff policy will defeat
the Democratic party in the three
States named without insuring it
victory in any State now classed
as Republican, and will bring disaster to
the industrial interests of the South, why
does it so quickly abandon its advocacy of
high protective tariff (! Apparently to
secure harmony in the party, because it says:
ITO send the Democracy of any State iuto
the national convention with instructions
sharply dissenting from the expressed and
emphatic views Of the only possible stand
ard bearer would be to embarrass the party.
nd 70 MI ha
political campaign of our history torn and
divided
But from the CONSTITUTIONS standpoint,
what is to be gained by harmony If
harmony on the basis of the Presidents
message, as the Constitution insists, will
endanger the success of the Democratic
party in New York, New Jersey and Con-
necticut, it will, in all probability, prevent
the triumph of the national Democratic
party, will it not How does the Constite,-
ton propose to elect Mr. Cleveland without
New York or New Jersey or Connecticut (?
Ii it thinks his tariff policy will defeat the
national Democratic party, and bring ruin
to the industrial interests of the South, what
benefit does it expect to secure from the
harmony for which it is so ready to sacri-
flee its tariff principles
The Constitution also says in its double
loaded article that Mr. Samuel j. Randall
will be called on again to bear the brunt of
battle in New York, New Jersey and Con
necticut. As it appears to understand Mr..
Randall thoroughly, will it state whether
he will indorse the Presidents tariff policy
when he undertakes to lear the brunt of
the battle in the States named? Ifso, why
does he not indorse it now, and help pass
the Mills bill, and if not, what will become
of the harmony for which the Constitution
is willing to make what it apparently CON
sders great sacrifice!
But whatever curious features NAV be
apparent in the Constitutions double-leaded
article, the MORNING NEWS is glad to see
it cease its warfare on tariff reform. The
people want the taxes on the neces saries of
life reduced not the taxes on whisky aud
tobacco and the MORNING News believes
that Mr.. Cleveland will be renominated and
reelected, and that his tariff message will
help to re-elect him. The policy outlined in
that message will not injure the South. On
the contrary, its adoption viii prove bene-
fetal to the South, and will, in many ways.
help to make her more prosperous