Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-11-17
SUNDAY. nov. II, 1889.
Democratic Hopes.

SUNDAY. nov. IT. 1859.
Democratic Hopes.
In the November number of the North
American Review Senator Vest, of Mis-
souri,, has an article on the "Hopes of
the Democratic Party" It takes san.
guine view Of the party's future, aud
rightfully SO. The Democratic position
on the war tariff is growing stronger with
the masses of the people every day. The
brilliant Senator from Missouri, who in
the last campaign held verv extreme
views on the tariff, gives brief history
Of the Democratic party, in which he
admits that Jefferson was in favor OF
moderate protection, and he does not ig-
more the popular doctrine, held by SO
many Democrats, of tariff for revenue
with incidental protection to American
labor and industries. Senator Vest in
the fall of 1888 presented his own per-
sonal opinions with a force and per-
sistence that probably had disastrous
influence on Mr.. Cleveland's cha noes.
The Presidents views had been ad-
vanced, in very conservative aud sa-
gacious way. The Mills bill, properly
understood, was all right from the point
Of view of success and political expe-
diency. Senator Vest, however, and
Democrats of his class, who held extreme
notions on free trade, pushed them fur
ther than either Mr. Cleveland or Mr..
Mills had contemplated. and it was highly
unfortunate that, during the campaign,
some one of these impetuous gentlemen
was always making speech, or Mr..
Henry Watterson was writing an edito-
rial. which pushed the prop ositions Of the
President far beyond the limitations that
he had marked out, and far beyond the
purview of the Mile bill, which was
really wise and conservative, and not
at all radical, measure. OF course Sena-
tor Vest and Mr.. Watterson, and their
followers and admirers, who are amongst
the most valued members Of the Demo
cratic party, had perfect right to do as
they did. But it was simply unfortu-
nate, and cost Mr.. Cleveland the second
term which he had richly deserved, and
the Democratic party the control OF the
country.
There can scarcely be question but
that the country has made great advances
on the tariff question since the fall of
1887, when Mr.. Cleveland wrote his
famous message. To the extent to
which the President himself advocated
tariff reform, and to the degree to which
it was carried in the Mills bill, the
country would probably 60 with the
Democratic party if the election were to
take place tomorrow. Whether it would
accept the extreme views of the Messrs.
Vest, Watterson and their associates,
undoubtedly is question which it would
scarcely bs wise to test just now. But
there is safe middle ground on which
success is certain, and that is the reduc-
tion of the war tariff to the lowest figure
consistent with defraying the expenses
Of the Government economically admin
istered. The country would be with the
Democratic party on that issue, and
people who entertain radical free trade
views ought to be willing to accept it,
on the principle that half loaf is better
than no bread. That the sentim ent in
the direction of free trade would prob.
ably be accelerated is doubtless true, and
the sentiment of the country might be
tested on that point in the Presidential
election of 1896. By that time doubtless
great additional reductions in the tariff
could be made with profit and wisdom.
Senator Vest takes a very sanguine
view ofthe future Of thel Democratic party,
and he is undoubtedly right. If the
party Of Jefferson and Jackson can es.
cape faction fights, especially in New
York, it is pretty sure to return to power
and to retain it. On this point he says: :
"While there are now four hundred and
Zone electoral votes, there will be in
1897, with the thirteen electoral votes of
the new States, four hundred and
fourteen votes in the Electoral College,
"aud if every State votes in 1892 as in
1888, except New York and Indiana,
land they support the Democratic
ticket, 1t would be successful. although
I" the entire thirteen votes of the new
" States should be given to the Rspubli-
cans. If the States of Nav York and
Indiana change to the Democrats in
1892, then the Democratic ticket would
be elected, although the Republicans
SHOULD carry all the new States, and
also Connecticut or West Virginia. Or
ii the Republicans carry in 1892 all the
States they carried in 1888 except New
York and Indiana, they would be de.
feated. although they should gain the
"votes of all the new States except Mon.
tana, and the Democrats lose Virginia,
"or West Virginia and Connecticut. In
"other words, if the Democrats carry
- New York and Indiana, in 1892, to-
gether with Montana, they can lose
both West Virginia and Connecticut,
"or Virginia, and elect their ticket, if
1.-THE other States vote as in 1888 and
the Republicans gain the votes of
-~ls n. ~