Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-12-30
Adopting New Tactics.

Adopting New Tactics.
It was ever thus with the Democratic
party-policy and not principle is the
rule. Here is clear and interesting
statement of the situation, from the
New York Tribune:
The Democratic programme is somewhat
changed since the ''tidal wave'' of 1890
swept the party into che control of one
House of Congress and the possession of in
creased power in several states That was
neralded as free trade victory; as popu-
lar condemnation of the principle of pro-
section; as an Endorsement of the admins
sration of Grover Cleveland, and
soud cali for his denomination and
gent and great majority of the
regular Democratic newspapers in the
country, so interpreted it, and with bois-
ferrous demonstrations of enthusiasm so
nailed it. They set up ''lOgic of the sit
nation" on the strength of It which point
choice of Mr.. Mills, the great free trade
advocate, as speaker, and the subsequent
denomination and reelection of Grover
Cleveland, the great free trade oracle, as
President, that for time both events APP
peared too certain tC admit of argument to
the contrary. The business seemed al
ready DONE Congress was as good as Or
gained, with Mills IN the chair. and a
revenue tariff passed by the House, and
cleveland as good as elected, with poll
cy in operation that would presently
abolish the odlous custom-houses and ush
CT In the benehcent income tax.
But there was another election. And
that election brought about another Situa-
ton with different logic attached to it.
Out OF that logic Mr.. Crisp became speak
cE. Then the Mugwump contingent kick
ed; Mills skulked; Grover Cleveland betook
E1mself somewhere to think it over, and
me programme of the party, not to say the
whole order of nature, suffered a change.
Taere is not any Mills in the Speakers
chair; there viii not be any free trade i'm
EMediately, and it looks very much as if
there would not be any second term, or>re-
ESHmlnatlon even, OF Grover Cleveland
Reason why? The scare of 1890 is
over. A years experience of the Nc
Kfnley bill has brought general pros perity
fGstead of the disaster predicted by calam-
Nty-hoWlerS. The more discreet and
s&rewd of the Democratic managers had
the sense to see that the tide had turned,
ssaFd III the late election were wise enough
cd avoid discussion of the tariff in most OF
t&s states, whereby they succeeded in saw
ing themselves from sudden and COM
FSiete upset. Where they kept up the old
ssSee trade cry. as in Ohio, they were
Badly worsted. SO with the opening of
congress the programme is changed. The
Mugwumps and free traders are sent to
the back seats, and the practical pOliri-
clans. who never lose sight of the main
chance. are in command.
Their programme now is to avoid fight
Ing in the open on any question. The
game will be not. to commit themselves to
any definite line of policy on either the tar
Hf or silver coinage. Instead of new tar
IF bill, which last year they SO loudly and
constantly asserted their purpose to bring
E1l and pass and 60 to the country upon in
1892 they will content themselves with
nibbllng at the Mckinley bill, pecklng
away at the details, making what capital
they may by fanlt-fnding with its separate
provisions, and proposing quack remedies
for such imperfectionS in 1t as they think
Ehey have discovered. In brief. the
new programme is to do as little square
Sighting as possible, but to keep UP a sort
OF miscellaneous skirmishing, and bend all
their energies to man9uvring for posi-
zion ID 1872 The success OF Tammany in
this state and in the organization of the
House has established Tammany tactics as
the rule of the party for the presidential
campaign: and Tammany tactics have al
ways been confined to conducting cam
paigns by tricks and expedients instead of
upon principles and doctrines. What
Tammany wants is not the triumph of any
princlple-it cares nothing for free trade
or free Silver-but simply power and
ptunder. 1t made the present Speaker; it
controls the present House; it sits in the sad
die Its programme is agreed upon. and
we shall see whether it can carry it out.
The Democrats Cheating Themselves.
The cool assumption that the extraor-
binary Democratic victory last year was Sc
cured mainly by the tariff question has
been SO often repeated by free traders that
they begin to believe it themselves. That
rs one of the penalties of such a falsehood
The man who uses the untruth finally be-
gyms to believe in it, and to base his own
calculations on it, and 70 lay az his plans
earned threshing, thought :he had not
cheated himself, he Nigh ppsssibly have at
GAINED success. IsXt
basis Of all c91eHfat leh by free traders
i ssp1psn SflsylK N 1S9O, on the tariff
- 41, in 'eeTaf9y states according to
gf all idea. if that issue can be made sub
-srl4aantiaIly the only one victory must come
ID Issg2 1t is highly gratifying to find
ehen cheating. themselves in this way, be-
cause +'r"+ ances of success might he |
oy should adopt different |
Thlch untruth incIines |
Cleveland went down |
he and his frinr \ 81