The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-03
rur TARIFF AND THE TRIUMvIKATE'


Those who read TIE TrMES-ana VINO .n"'
would keen abreast OF the world does po' =
lnow that il regards Dir. cleveland as une
-. living Democrat. His fixed conyic-
| - h;. s;noleness of purpose and unswery-
49, dovotion TO the public good make him
- o,,;rsly the typical leader than any
~.hor man of the day In saying this how
over The TIMES is saying not one word
aimed at suggesting that he be the next
nominee. 1t is Introductory to quite another
theme.
Mr.. Cleveland precipitated the party just
before the last presidential election into
struggle for tariff reform versus protective
tariff: but, while we lost that election. he
drove the party into an active. live fight for
principles that affect every man IN his home
aud against principles that. carried to their
logical end. would convert the masses into
slaves. He might have been very rash but
he did the Democratic party great service
He gave it something TO struggle for, and that
something was principle that operates on
all. The party was in superb trim for carry
ing its banners triumphantly over the next
battlefield.
But now comes news from Washington that
brings bad tidings for the Democratic party
1t is openly and generally asserted first
that sort OF political pool has been formed
between Senators Hill, German and Brice
which proposes TO control and shape Demo
cratic legislation on the tariff at this session,
and, second. that it will prevent any at
tempt at enacting statutes 10 revise
the tariff but will have the House of
Representatives TO limit ITSELF 10 passing q
set Of resolutions cOndeH1ning the principles
ofo protectfre tariff. Could there be q moro
imbecile ending to o noble fight: The people
having sent to the House Of Representatives an
Overwhelming majority instructed to destroy
the iniquities of protective tariff and trlun
virate of machine politicians 70 thwart tho
peoples will and switch their representatives,
of on a side-track of treacle and thin cruel
A distinguished Virginia Judge told the
writer that a law student came before him TO
be examined for license to practice law
Wishing to test his knowledge of the nature
of the different actions that may be brought
he asked him what he would do II chent
came TO him with an account TO collect. /
would go and ask the debtor to pay it, the
student promptly replied
''Oh. but" said the Judge. suppose he told
YOU he would not pay it, what would you do
them" II would go and see him again.
replied the student. oh, but" said the
Judge, suppose he told you this time that If
you came there again he would kick you out
of his office. what would you 90 them" Il
would offer to compromise SAID the stu
dent
This is Just the position in which the trium-
virate would place the Democratic party. Our
guns are planted, our ranks are formed, our
muskets loaded, our bayonets fixed the colors
float in the breeze. and Just as we are bout
to storm the enemys entertainments and plant
our flag upon his bettlements, the timid little
fellows who never heard shot without their
knees shifting each other step up and say
oh let us compromise The party that
fights for vital, living principle deserves 20
win. and will win. The party that trafiics in
It's rights and sells It's opportunities deserves
to lose, and will lose.