The Republican journal., 1892-09-01

MURAL HALSEEAD SAYS TIE DEMOCRATS
ARE CONSCIOUS THAT THEY MADE A
GREAT BLUNDER in AMENDING THE
PLATFORM At CHICAGO.
From the New York Herald.
Within three months the Presidential
election Will be decided. Ii is two thirds
ot this time since the candidates We're
placed in the field. The platforms have
been thoroughly published. The Demo
cratic declarations have been reviewed
with interest and seriously discussed. The
Republican resolutions have not received
SO much attention, fol the doctrines OF the
Republicans are not doubtful. The record
u the Harrison administration, which it
is the policy OF the Republican party to re-
peat, is clear and not disputed. 1t is for
protection, reciprocity. bimetallism, fair
play III national suffrage for the citizens
u all the States: ana to each OF these
Items Is attached precise and unques-
toned meaning. The country does not
have 10 turn to amy document to make out
What the continuance OF Republicans in the
administration of the general government
conveys. History answers tor that, and
there is no sound on color of uncertainty.
Concerning the Democratic party the
conditions are widely different The
closer We approch the edges of respon-
slblllty with Democratic men and measures
The greater are the doubts that arise as to
the actualiries Of Democratic principles.
Hence the importance OF the Chicago
PLATFORM, 50 tar as it is alternatives: the
rigid examination OF its language; the
keen attention given tie expressions of
the public speakers and writers of the
party, who may be presumed to have the
backing OF considerable authority or I'M
common intelligence.
DOUBT AS TO DEMOCRATIC DOCTRINE.
Singularly enough, upon superficial ex-
animation We do not get much light upon
the guiding principles OF the democracy
from Nh. CIeNeland's administration
We all know in general way that Nh.
cleveland made an impression OF personal
integrity, and that several able and persua-
sive men presumably believed him better
tllsn Lbs party. At amy rate, they very Of
Ien said he was, and they had facilities in
literary production and publication. He
was credited with attention to civil service
reform, but the postal service was raided
under him to All extraordinary extent and
used in his struggle for reelection with
out manifestation of reformation. 1t is
fairly said that Mr.. Cleveland and his Sec
retaries ot the Treasury We're sound in
money matters. and 50 they We're, except
ing in the enormous sums that they man
aged into the national banks, and which
it has been the duty of their Republican
successors to withdraw quietly and slowly
So It's to prevent pinching the people
through the banks. Nh Cleveland, after
he became Il tariff refonner, thrust his
views upon the country in sensational
way. Upon his message of 1887 he was
defeated for election, but it is the testi-
mony of those near to him as partisans
that he wanted to explain his message and
to force the issue OF 1880 upon the popular
Interpretation of the message-that it was
at wal with protection. However, the dem
ocracy We're dominated by the free trade
Influences and lost the Presidency. 1t is
reasonably assumed that Senator Villas
had this in mind when he prepared the
extraordinary essay that he read at
Chicago and which was SO hastily con-
demned and rudely amended.
THE CHICAGO SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION.
The tariff plank reported by the Com
mittee on Resolutions, after long contest
in the committee rooms over other mat
tiers, was rejected by vote of 564 to 342.
The friends of Cleveland had not expect
ed to hear an objection. Many were taken
by surprise, and thought it wise strategy
not to make fight against the midnight
amendment. However, history, if it is
ever impartial and translucent on this sub
ject, will say the Cleveland men once con-
fessed weakness at Chicago and once
were conquered. The confession was the
amendment Of the platform and the
conquest was the nomination of Steven
son. 1t has been asserted with an air
Of the highest responsibility in Mr.. Wat
terson's paper that Mr.. Cleveland did not
know Villas had drawn up Republican
tariff plank and that the ''more formal