New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-14
THE pREDICAMENr OF REFoRMERS.

II seems to be in order, not in spirit OF
hectorng or exultation, but in sober and kindly
earnest. to inquire of former Republicans who
have been acting with the Democratic party, how
they enjoy its performances thus far. Their en-
tire sincerity of purpose, in cOnSenJng to sup
mort a party which on most accounts they thor
oughly despsed will not be questioned. 1t must
have been for them so hard task, 50 nauseous
a dose to swallow, that an oveYmaStenng sense
of duty respecting the tariff question would seem
70 have been almost the only motive that could
have overcome their natural and just anipathy.
To them change Of tariff seemed the one thing
for which a man ought to sacrifice all else Dis
trusting the Democratic party as much as ever
for it had done nothing to remove that diStrllS@
keenly aware of its spirit as respects the he
bellion. the maintenance Of public credit the
DEGRADATION Of the currency, and not forgetting
ifs proneness to Use public Office for mere party
ends and even to resort to fraud for party's sake
these men yet hoped that in association with
them. for the sacred cause of tariff reform, the
Democracy might be expected to behave decent
" for while, at least until the end could be at
tanned.
If is not the purpose here to dispute their
wisdom. Had the Democratic party been In a
proper sense devoted to tariff reform, or to any
ether object higher and more worthy than an
attempt to steal Offices, each man for himself
if might have been expected to sacrifice much
70 IFS cause. But what do we see? Mr. Hi
discraces the party throughout the county 10y
stealing Offices in New-York. great majority
Of the Democrats in Congress rush of into the
basest and most dangerous demagogiSm for the
sake Of securing nominations and seats for them
selves.
A veteran tariff reformer asked with sadness
how it was possible that Democrats who pro
ressed to long for the overthrow OF Protecton'
could outrage and drive away a host OF their
friends by voting for free silver coinage. An
cid Democratic leader the next day supplied INC
answer: "These fool Congressman care Tor
nothing but tickling their constituents and get
ting renomnaed; lie knew all about his party
Nearly four-ffths Of the members OF the House
who profoss to desire tariff reform above all
things care only to get Office. Among the sixty
eight Democrats who voted for postponement OF
the silver question there were all the sem-Pro-
toct;onists who follow the lead Of German, Brce
and Hill. At least twenty are expected to vote
the rest members who want tariff reform and
not a regulating currency, number scarcely
fifth of the Democratic members.
The "fool Congressman were wise in their
generation. They are not risking Their ncckS
to make ANYBODY President. They know what
the Democratic voters Of their districts want, now
frantic and senseless these voters are in their
hatred of the "moncy pOwer'-a good many OF
them because the money power saved the oIloh'
They comprehend that their constituents do not
feel the new tariff in the least, except to bless 1t
when they buy numerous neceSanes OF NE
r. is clazy fanatcism with them that they
would all be rich if the Government would only
" make money" enough. Congressman fit to
,onyesent party Of conscience and Of patriotic
nnrpose might have converted even such con-
s,ituents 20 better ideas before this. But the
whole story is told when one sceS what the
Congressman are, and what they know Their
constituents are There is the Democratic party,
photographed by itself
As for tariff reform, the Democratic majority
in Congress proposes three bills which are 50
scnseless that even "The Ncw-York Times
characterizes the action Of the majority as folly.
The Binder Irvine bill is political Trick, 50
small and cheap that it will not even delude an
Alliance man. The Cotton Tie bill is 80 glazing
an aHront to every tariff reformer that it is a
wonder even sectional prejudice end greed ever
caused it to be reported. The Wool and Wool
lens bill is not merely an insult to those who
have asked for free iron or coal; it is disgrace
20 the party if sample Of Democratic wisdom,
since il selects for attack industries whose prod
ady n
duties and it is breaking of pledges il it means
that Democrats will save protection for manu-
facturers but destroy protection for farmers.
Is II net about time for the reformors who are
in bad company TO reconsider their action? They
will get no tariff reform out Of party that has
not sense enough 10 frame Tariff bill. But
they will gec much else that they do not want