New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-27
WHY TIE NATION FORGETS.

REPUBLICS are ungrateful, SAID the pnllos-
opher. but why not Nations have short
memories. Of this fact we are to have PROOF
this year; indeed, the very existence OF the
Democratic party, with its practices ana
theories, is proof. Twenty eight years ago
good citizens knew what debasing and dan
gerous thing it was to have great political
party controlled BY patronage The DEM
ocratic party could never have been dragged
to ruin by Mr.. Buchanan, but for the enormous
power CT patronage over party action. YET the
same party goes back to the same debaslng
methods and the same perilous thraldom as
soon as it RECEIVERS power. II has no memory
of its own dsgraceful experience, and the
sneers of enemies of Reform with the cowardH
faithlessness of its protested champions nave
practically destroyed it. BY what miracie
comes it to pass that great party forgets SO
soon its sufferings and its shame? The an
swer is simple. Three-fourths OF Its voters
were not born, or were boys when the DEM
ocratic party was dragged down to disgrace
by Mr.. Buchanan's patronage
Not day passes that some veteran does no,
utter his warning. a change of tarlf VIII
bring great industrial disaster, as it did oelore
the wars He talks to voters who scon at
him as ian old fogy." Prosperity and mar
vellous growth appear to them natural lrui's
Of the Nations freedom and its matchiess
endowment. They are slow to believe tha'
any legislative policy Of Republican origin
has made possible the wonderful development
which they witness. Theorists tell them,
" Clear away tariff burdens and the grown
will be still more rapid" Experience gives
them no light. For three-quarters OF them
cannot remember the last days of Mr. Buchan-
ans administration, and still fewer can recall
the nrostration which followed Democratic
4 reform of the tariff in 1915 or in 1881
| All abont them. men talk of {" modification of
| dutjes and cheapeuing of materials as the
| sure road to larger prosperity. School his
tories. delightfully."- non-partisan, give no
glimpse of the consequences of the same ex-
pertinent when tried twice before ana 'he
hopeful young Democrat OF to-day answers 10
the warning Of veteran, " should ike 10
see for myself what change OF tariff wouio
| do" ,.c
The Republicans have to face the same diff
culties. Every passing day takes from lheif
ranks some of the veterans who learned Wha'
| Democratic government was by practical eX-
nerience before the war. The boys cannot
quite believe that the consequences would DC
serious. Timorous old age exaggerates, they
fancy, and the mighty Nation in Its grand
maturity is now able, they hope to face the
foreign competition which may once have
proved destructive to its Industries. ne
books and the theorists tell us that free trade
is best. and at all events it would do no harm
to have it little freer. and so many young
Republican half doubts whether 1t wouio
seriously disturb industries If the Democrats
should have their way. For nearly four years
mast the country has had Democratic Presl'
4 dent. and there are millions who forget ina
Republican laws have kept the tiger chained.
The need of public education is not realized
by many men in actual life. They fail to re-
member that nations and parties forget, be
cause experience dies with each generation
The population of the United States is nov
about $4,000, 900. If the proportion of voter
to population is what it was In 1880, abou
II 500. 900 votes will be cast this year. Blu
not one-eighth of the entire population, hardl!
one-quarter Of the voting population. was O
age when the civil war began. There vii
be 10000 votes cast by men who neye
voted for President before, and about 81 OO,OO
more by men who were not OF age Whel
Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated. and oni'
2, yOo, 900 by men who were then of age. Ih
young men who cast their first vote 10
President will largely outnumber those VIII
can remember what Buchanans Administration
was Is it strange that education is needed
Is it strange that the veterans who know VIVA
experience taught them before the war, and T.
whom Democratic vote seems crime agalns
the Republic, feel that the Nation dishonor
itself In going hack to the practices and theorie
Of Mr. Buchanans Democracy? Yet, if the.
fail to make their experience light to tn
path of young voters, the Nation may hav
to learn the old lesson over again in year
Of disaster and suffering.