New-York tribune., 1890-04-15
TREATMENT or RKPRESENrATIVES.

TRFtTuINT or REPRESENTATIVES,.
Differences of opinion arc not only per-
mittcd in a republic, hat are welcome. The
fact is frankly recognized that men have wide
" yarving interests. associations and surround
mgs. and impulses derived from early train
ing and that the wisc>t results can be attained
in the long run only by allowing all these in
nucncc, their proper weight. Freedom Of
thought and Of speech is encouraged not mere
" because il is right, not merely because II
conduccs 10 the highest development Of the
individual and thus on the whole to the best
good Of the state, but because the safest and
surc-t guarantee for a correct decision of all
questions by any human agency is believed
10 be- attainable hy submitting them to the free
and untrammclcd verdict of the people.
\ little disposition is shown Of late by somc
VINO dissent from Republican representatives
regarding the tariff to prevent decision on
the merits Of each question, and 10 resort 10 a
specie, Of intimidation or bullying. IL have
been q Republican many years. says one let
ter recently received, "but if the party will
not do thus about hides or tin plates, or
wool. Il shall have nothing to do but to de-
feat it," Very good il is the right of every
ciiizcn to choose which party best deserves
lis support Men who conScicntiOlSly believe
= Democratic policy better for tho country
not only have the right. but it is their duty
to prefer and vote for that party. But the
dissatisfied Republican, whose opinion is repre-
scntcd in such letters. has not reached that
convection. He has. or thinks he has, certain
interests at stake. If the party will favor these
real or supposed interests he will support it
with all his might If it will not he at least
can threaten to defeat it, in the hope that
others may yield their convictions under
threat.
Now the farmers who think, mistakenly In
the Judgment of THE TRIBUNE, that duty on
hides would benefit them have a good right
10 threaten as the manufacturer who thinks
il would do him harm. Moreover, the farmers
can outvoIc 1-ic manufacturers many times. and
If threats are 10 weigh instead of reasons, will
bear down all opposition. 30 the miners OF
iron and coal. and the smctcIs and rollers OF
iron and steel. have aS much right 10 threaten
as the manufacturer, Of tin cans and outnum-
Der ihcm great many times The growers OF
vool outnumbcr the consumers of carpet wool.
The threats Of the larger number will weigh
most if Congressman are to listen TO these and
not 10 arguments. Both parties have right,
and an equal right. to defeat any party which
does not please them, but both arc equally
wrong If they disregard the interest Of the
whole people in contendng for personal in
torest.
Men Of all shades of opinion must admit
that this is the time for sober consideration
Of reasons The duty of the committee and
aferward Of the House is TO decide with hon
csty and courage what is best for the country.
The member j. bound to consider what the
welfare of the whole people requires He is
bound. however hard for him it may be, to vote
for that which he honestly believes for the
permanent benefit of the whole country, even
though he may know that so doing will render
certain his personal defeat. 1t is not the right
of citizens Of any shade OF opinion to prevent
BY threats of personal defeat, so huch OF pn-