The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-03-17
MR.. RANDALL's PECULIAR ROLE.

We have the singular declaration
from MIR. Kelley that his party will not
present a tariff bill.
He said the other day:-"You may
publish me to the country as saying
that | nave no tariff bill prepared that
| do not intend TO prepare a tariff bill;
that do not know that II of my re-
publican colleagues has prepared Il tariff
bill and that being in close and hour
ly intercourse with them, | do not be-
lieve any II of them has prepared a
tariff bill, and that il any OF them pro-
poses to offer n tariff bill, | will not
consent to it. because it is not our bust
ness. 1t is for the majority to propose
the tariff bill, and it is for the minority
simply to show TO the country the
shortcomings of the majority"
And this is the great political party
that deems itself competent and worthy
to administer the affairs of the nation,
q party which i'll its last platform de-
clared in favor of a reduction and
equalization of the tariff, and a party
which still has a majority In the senate
OF the United States. Ii does not feel
itself under responsibility to propose
what it believes to be good for the coun
try, but is content to oppose whatever
is offered by the democratic majority
in the lower house, whether it be bad
or good species OF anarchism, that
would do evil that good may come;
that would violate the constitutional
oath OF the member to further the
supposed interests OF a political party.
We say supposed interests advised
ly, because the people are too intelli-
gent to be deceived by any sophistries
that would defend an uupstriotic shirk-
ing of duty.
The republicans have declared in
favor of d revision of the tariff. They
solemnly asserted that revision was
necessary. 1t is. therefore, ncumbent
upon them to submit a measure en-
bodying their views of what is wise,
Just as much so as it Is the duty of the
democrats to do it. One party has the
house, the other has the senate, and it
does not matter what may be the re-
suit to the measure, the people will be
the final arbiter.
The truth is the republicans are
afraid. 1t requires neither patriotism
or Judgment 10 tear down. Tod, the
half witted creature who roams out
streets, could separate the mechanism
of the most complicated cbronometer,
perhaps, yet it would take a skilled
mechanic to take those various delicate
parts and to again real out of them a
moving, life like instrument. The re-
pnblicans are all at sea. They find at
the head of the democratic party a
brave, honest cool, c~lear-headed Amer
lean, a man whom they twit with
weighing 250 pounds, but who is a
man every zach of him, every pound OF
him. Who loves his country, who loves
truth, who love justice, and who fears
neither man. the devil nor bowling
politicians.
This man has first of all at heart tho
welfare OF the people, and his calm
good sense will never take him tar
wrong in the way he seeks to effect
it. That is why the Turtles and the
Fairchilds, and the Shermans, and the
Fryes (small frys), aud the Platts and
the Ingalls, gnaw on a file when they
attack him. They may butt their little
heads against his messages as they will.
In q few days they are forgotten, but
Mr.. Cleveland's words remain engraved
In the minds and hearts OF the people,
rs calm, d~ignihed, earnest and honest.
Truly the mighty have fallen when
the hosts of the republican party no
longer even claim TO be a party of
principle and honor, but say you may
publish me TO the country, as being
simply the opposition, opportunists.'
How have the mighty fallen.