St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-14
TaE HOMfs DEBATES.

The Republicans W0ald Ike TO put q
paddock on MIR. CLEEEI. AND's mouth,
just to keep him from talking tariff re-
form; for every time he speaks on that
subject he adds fresh force and yigor to
sentiments that have already found
permanent lodging place in the hearts
of the American people. His latest ut
teranceS, contained IN his letter to the
Farmers alliance, are perhaps the most
forcible of all. In his usually sententlous
way of stating unyarnished truths, MIR.
CLEVELAND brings the question of
tariff reform directly home to the farGl-
ers. 1t is the plain talk of an honest
man to a class who are seeking light Cd
matter which has vital bearing on
all their peculiar industry, and it is a
letter which should be placed in the
hands of every farmer in the land.
There is every indication that the
great body of the people are doing more
thinking for themselves on the tariff
question than formerly. An evidence
of this is found in the little attention
that is being paid to the debate now III
progress in congress. Heretofore
tariff discussion never failed to fill the
galleries with eager,listeners. who would
hang on as long as the debate lasted.
Now there is a marked difference.
Newspaper correspondents writing from
the national capital comment on the
emptiness of the galleries, and on the
listless air which prevails around the
halls of congress during the present
tariff debate. This is readily explained
because of the fact that the masses
have taken the tariff question into their
homes, where the discussion is likely to
be more effective, and where more salts
factory results will be had than in the
halls of congress.
1t IS significant fact that the Farm
ers' alliance turned away from the tariff
eXpositions now being given by the
statesmen who occupy seats in congress
to seek information from private citl-
zen who is quietly attending to his law
practice in New York. The farmers
say in their letter to this private citizen
that they rely upon the soundneSs of
his opinions because they have faith in
his honesty and integrity of purpose,
which were so heroicalIy illustrated in
the last presidential campaign, when
he chose defeat rather than to surren-
der principle. Thus it is Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND is again forced from his retire
ment to become the principal spokes-
man in behalf of tariff reform. This
time, however, he is not forced to for
mulate his views in the shape of state
documents, but he is now down among
the people. participating in their
tireside discussions and speaking
words of wisdom and encourage
ment that will bring better re-
suits than when he was pleading
with congress to remove the burthen of
taxation from an oppressed people. We
do not underestimate the value of his
services during his incumbeney of the
presidential office, yet we do say that
Citizen CLEVELAND is mightier factor
in the progress of tariff reform than was
President CLEVELAND. InaSmuch as
the people are the source Of power, the
home debates on the tariff are going to
count for more than all the speeches
made in congress; and it is in these
home debates that Citizen CLEVELAND
now takes the lead.