Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-28

Il PIC NQuutLlO-l VI uCluk u uN W AeoNAAs
Every intelligent man who knew the
traditional principles Of the party knew
! that, when 10 came 70 itself, 1t must
take up the fight for tariff reform as its
! great cause, and carry that fight 10 final
| and permanent victory. As soon as il
ceased TO be an oppOrtunist, maneuvr-
ing for success, and began to speak
/ in sincere and courageous tones, be-
cause il was its duty to so speak, IL felt
not only a kindling Of zeal in its own
ranks, but had accessionS OF strength
/ for which il had scarcely hoped. The
powerful independent press OF the
country came TO its side, and ardent and
enthusiastic friends sprang up in every
/ quarter.
NO GREAT ISSUE OFFERED.
In all this there was nothing strange.
In the first triumphs Of the Republican
party, Martin Van Buren propheSied
| that as soon as "the pertubations OF
party names and systems produced by
/ the disturbing subject OF slavery" had
spent their force, the old lines would be
/ reformed, and "the individuals who now
constitute the sO-called Republican
/ party" would "revert to their original
/ positions" IL the historian who re-
cords the prompt and honest accept
ance by the South of the results OF the
war is perploXed 10 understand how
the passions and hatredS OF that war
could so long serve as pOliticaf capital
for a party, he will see the explanation
In the fact that the opponents of the
/ Republican party had not found or had
not forced any great national issue
sufficient TO expel these feelings
from the breasts Of the people.
The habits Of a quarter Of a century
prevented the older men who, Demo-
Gratis In principle, had joined the Re-
publican party on the slavery question,
"from reYerting TO their original posi-
tons" but the sons OF the fathers saw
no glory or patriotism in fighting for
monopoly or the bloody shirt, and with
the great and growing body OF inde-
pendentS, on whom party ties had sat
loosely or uncOmfOrtably for years,
were glad TO enlist in a cause that COM
manded their approval and was worthy
Of their highest services.
If in the light Of It's triumphs for the
past three years the Democratic party
duty and the opportunity OF success are
alike found, il does not rightly interpret
the popular favor that has been De-
slowed upon II, and does not cOmpre-
hend the vitality and greatness Of the
cause in whose name 1t has been over
coming its enemies. 1T so hap
pened," said Mr.. Burke, when he
was defending the American colo
MES In the House Of Commons, "thst
the great contests for freedom In this
country were from the earliest times on
the question OF taxing" And so must
they always be, for a just and equal
system of taxation is the only fOunda-
tion of free government. To secure
and maintain such a system is the high
and never ending mission Of the Demo
cratic party. That party came into eX-
istence to uphold the idea, not very old
in the world as yet, and nowhere in the
world fully acted upon as yet, that all
government is the servant OF the peO-
pie, that 10 should always be under their
control, and never in the control or ser
vice of privileged classes or favored in
dividualS.
THE GOVERNMENT FOR ALL.
Tariff reform is therefore not only
great issue, it is cardinal Democratic
issue. IL means not only the rescue of
the government from the service and
control of privileged classes and favored
individuals, but il involves aud carries
with IL all the other great reforms which
unselish citizens are so anxious to Sc
cure, and at times so hopeless Of Secur-
ing, in our politics. IL is truly said by
Herbert Spencer that every principle
has It's momentum, and the principle Of
protection brings with 10 a brood of
evils more incompatible with pure gov
ernment than are all its unjust money
exacting. In the very outset, il teaches
that some men have right TO rely on
government for success In private bus
mess rather than upon their own efforts
and merits. Such a doctrine wreStS
government from the service Of all aud
turns il over to the service Of class.
Moreover, 10 beStOws upon government,
TO use the words OF an old Virginia
statesman. "the worldly omnlpOtence
that belongs to the power Of dealing out
wealth and poverty" and thus changes
pOlrical campaigns from contests for
sound principles into battles for pri-
vate booty A reform OF the tariff
must thereSore precede any genuine and
lasting ballot reform We may adopt
the Australian system, just as In days
past we adopted the secret ballot, and
for a while battle the briber and the in
timidator: but greed and ingenuity will
soon learn the combination, If great
Dlunder is still to be had by ritiing the
safe. And il is not only the voter who
must be shielded from temptation ana
corrupting influences, but also the law
maker. A permanent lobby IS neceS-
sary part OF protective system. 'CloSe
the doors this morning. said Senator
Beck. when the tariff bill Of 1888 was
under consideration in Congress, "and
there will be found five hundred men
in the corridors, in the lobbies, in the
committee-rOomS in the eceptlon-room,
everywhere, beSieging Senators and
Representatives 70 stand by them and
their interests. Promises, fiat
terv. threats - everything is re-
sorted to-" Equally strong was
the outcry Of Senator Plumb, OF Kan
sas. THE moment il was announced
that it 1.-THE tariff question: was TO De
discussed, there caue to this city from
all quarters Of the country scores OF
men interested in the various industries
10 be affected by the tariff, who came
10 counsel, came to advise, came to ca
iole. and came 10 threaten, almost, in
some cases, have no doubt.
THE FORCE BEHIND IT ALL.
Tariff reform is likewise the condi-
LION OF any great and permanent reform
of the civil service. Bribery of voters