Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-08-15
GROHLNG nEMOCRACT.

The Philadelphia Record, always
thoughtful and logical, is particularly SO
when speaking of the tariff or other eco
nomic questions. And it has rarely
spoken more to the point than in the fol-
lowing:
So far as the issue OF the presidential
naion of 1888 is concerned. the positions OF the
two great political parties OF the country remain
unchanged. Both parties stand in their old
traczs-the Republicans resolved to prevent any
substantial revision os the tariff; the Democrats
more united and determined than ever in the
demand for free raw materials and for a reduc-
ton of the oppressive duties upon the necessa-
ries of American households.
IN New England the workingmen in the shops
and factories have not ceased agitation, even in
midsummer, but are making active preparations
for discussion in the coming fall and winter,
when the opponents Of tariff reform will be in
vited to defend their views.
Leading Eastern manufacturers have issued
circulars in which they demonstrate the detri-
mental influences Of taxes on materials,
asnecialIy upon the wooden and iron interests.
+nsnumerous cities and towns of Massachusetts
..otrestion Clubs have been formed for the
uurr,use of making inquiries relative to the
onsration of the tariff, and some of these ques-
tions have proved extremely embarrassing to
inc statesmen to whom they have been sent.
A the great object of discussion is to elicit the
truth. these methods OF agitation in a season
when party passions and prejudices are lulled,
cannot but prove advantageous TO the cause of
tariff reform.
IN the fury of partisan conflict
there is neither time nor opportunity
for a calm consideration of economical
questions The best arguments unheeded
or their meaning perverted by the "spen-
binders, - whose chief task is to misrep-
resent the issues OF the csupaigr. But in quiet
times. when the people have leisure TO reflect,
the cant phrases OF tariff nongers have slight
influence, especially when illustrated by daily
reductions of wages in the most highly protected
industries. The forged extracts from English
newspapers, the y-envelope legends, and SIM
inrdevices, more or less fraudulent and dishon-
est, for misleading the public mind would De
treated with the contempt they deserve on any
occasion except III the storm and excitement of
81, electoral conflict In such tire the aver
age citizen, instead of considering the issues of
the contest, becomes converted by the demon
of party into combatant bent only on victory.
The mistaken firmness, activity and conf
dence 81 the party OF tariff reform throughout
the coustry in the face Of so recent reverse are
not harcsto account for. What was en- apparent
defeat b. q strain upon the electoral principle
was not 9 defeat at the hands of the American
people. The election revealed as plainly as the
votes could proclaim i that a majority OF the
people OF the United States are in favorof tariff
reform on the lines laid down in cleve9 ma Ia
mons December message.
The friends of tariff reform could not retreat
now without betraying cause which has the
support of majority of the American people
Every day the hsst that marches under the tariff
reform ban1er is increasiu0-