New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-17
THE JeSUE JOINED.

The conventions for New Yorlk have met,
and have presented to the country two definite
issues For once there is a refreshing absence
Of eouivocation. New-York Democrats favor
Cleveland. his tariff policy, and his conduct OF
the Government. New-York Republicans,
certain that the National Convention at CHI
cago will present candidates fer President and
Vice President whose devotion to American
ideas and to the protection of labor, agriculture
and manufactures will command the approval
of the people,n pledge to the nominees their
united support, and enter upon the canvass
confident of victory They also approve the
action of Republican Congressman lin oppos-
ing the Mills tariff BILL so-called and urge them
to perseyere in defeating every device intended
TO place upon the statute book the free-trade
theories of Mr.. Clevelands annual message"
In 1884 the Republican candidate was barely
defeated by Mr. Cleveland when he had the
prestige of election as Governor by nearly
2O00 00 plurality, when Iilden seymour
Manning and Thompson were alive, when MS
promises of reform were not yet broken but by
many believed, and when he was represented
as a sound and safe protectionist.
These are the issues presented by New L ork
"Shall protection be abandoned and abolished;
has the Government been reformed" The SIT
uaton has changed greatly within four years.
| In 1884 there was considerable BODY OF YOU
ers who really wanted a change OF tarlff, pu1
did not venture to make that their acknOWl-
edged reason for opposing the Republican cam
| didate. They have since chosen their position.
Those who desire free trade so strongly lhaC
they hold other issues subordinate have deli
nitely attached themselves to MIR. Cleveland
marty. Those who care most for reform and
good government finding that the spolls sys-
| tenn in its worst forms has been revived, sup
mort the pretended reformer no longer OF the
body of former Republicans whose votes made
Mr.. Cleveland President, only part, to say the
least, will again prefer him. But OF Demo-
Gratis who believe in the protection Of home in
| dustries there are certainly some-the RepubH-
cans of New-York believe there are great
number-who supported Mr.. Cleveland in 1884
only because they were deceived in regard to
his position and purposes on the tariff question,
and who will not uphold the policy he now
openly advocates. Briefly stated these are the
reasons which seem to Republicans of New
York to Justify their pledge of the electoral vote
of this State to the Republican candidate.
This is but one, though much the most i'm
portant, of the States upon which the election
| turns. Mr.. Cleveland had the SO electoral
votes of New ork and 80 others from New
jersey. Connecticut and Indiana, besides the
Solid South with 1873 electoral votes. He
Pwould'not have been elected if change Oh 6OO
votes had turned New-YOrk against him.
With the tariff question direct issue, and the
overshaqOwing issue in the campaign, he would
certainly have been defeated In that event, 1t
is strongly probable that Mr.. Cleveland could
not now carry New Jersey or Connecticut, and
| it is supposed that this is the opinion OF the
| delegates who have been chosen from those
States. The question remains whether IN other
quarters different feeling exists which VIII
render the success of the Republican party on
the tariff issue uncertain But the party can
not. if il would, escape from a frank and sturdy
advocacy Ct the principles which have gov
erned its legislation ever since 1860, and that
fact the National Convention will not over
look The convictions and the history OF the
party both make il the party of protection. Be
cause it welcomes that issue and also whether
il prefers that issue or not, the tariff question
is to be the ongupOn which the result must
mainly depend. When the delegates in con-
yention have fully considered these things they
will beyond any doubt make such a nomination
as to embody the convictions and kindle the en-
thusasm Of the party On this vital issue.
The hope of Mr.. Cleveland and his friends is
that New-York can be held through the power
of machinery and money, and the South
through the power of force and fraud, while one
or more Western States can be detached from
the Republican column by appeals to the free
trade sentiment With New ork they would
still need / 3 Northern votes; losing Newly orl1
they would need 10. That is the situation i'll a
nutshell. If the Republican party can make it.
self reasonably sure Of the votes Of this state,
by pressing home an issue which touches the in
dustries and the wages Of almost every Demo-
cratic voter in Newly Ork New-JerSey and Con-
necticut it has nothing TO fear. All that it
can possibly lose elsewhere will then be unim-
poltant But it is not the belief Of Republicans
that the farmers of Western States desire the
change Of tariff which President Cleveland pro-
poses. Resolutions in favor of reform of
tariff in these days, indicate nothing. The
iron worker who wants higher duty on steel
ingots wire rods and tin plates, is in favor of a
reform Of the tariff. The Ohio wool grower,
who is in favor of restoration OF the wool du-
ties of 1867, wants a reform of the tariff. That
phrase is used by some men fraudulently, and
by some ignorantly, but there has not yet been
found Republican county or other convention
which has favored the substitution of free-trade
principles for protection, which Mr.. Cleveland
proposes. Thanks to him. the Republicans
have an issue which Presidential contest will
make exceedingly clear and sharp.
TIE ONLY GENERAL.
10 al; OH London that