The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-03
Tho Force Bill.

Some OF our astute Republican contem.
poraries. seeing the unitlcation Of the De-
mocracy In opposition to the Force bill. are
trying to hide that revolutionary measure
from sight until the end OF the campaign.
They pretend that 1t never was OF much
consequence. any way. and that it Is now a
dead duck. 1t would be great convenience
for them IL they could persuade the voters
that this Is true; but this pretended change
Of heart has come too quickly. nor are
mems memories as short as would be
necessary for the success Of the attempt to
drag the Force bill off the field. In order
that these Republicans who are attempting
the impossible thing may cease to put
themselves out OF harmony not only with
their candidate for President. but with
their candidate for Vice-President. we shall
quote few instructive passages from the
great newspaper conducted by the latter,
the most powerful and influential OF Re-
publican journals. 1t Is true that Mr..
WHrTELAw REID was occupying with dis
tinction and to the general satisfaction the
post OF Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary to the French republic in
1880 and 1891. and had given up the personal
direction OF his newspaper; but there is
regular Geographic communication between
Paris and New York. and 1t Is most
unlikely. indeed. 1t Is altogether impos-
sible. that the Tribune should have
misrepresented Its distinguished chief
upon 80 important subject as the Force
bill. As matter OF fact the Tribune. in its
strenuous urging OF the Force bill. repre-
sented the great majority OF the Republic
nd ha IapnI,licop nj, pbi
would have been successful In its fight II
the Democratic opposition in the Senate
had not been led with consummate skill by
Mr.. GoRMAN. and II there had not boon ccr-
tain Republican Senators whose first object
was the free coinage OF silver: and they
were also glad to have a chance to disap-
point Gen. HARRISON. who was known to DO
earnest for tho passage OF the bill.
Let US look at the Tribune's. and Mr..
REID's. and the regular Republican opinion
N 1880. On July q the Tribune said OF the
Force bill: 1T has become necessary to the
public sdfefy necessary to rise legislation on
all national questions" On Aug. IA it said
that "this subject will not cease to be agi-
sated by the people until honesty shall pre-
vail In the election OF Representatives and
Senators also" By honesty. OF course, is
meant the election OF Republicans in Demo-
cratic districts. On Aug Is it printed lead
Ing article In which the necessity Of a Force
bill to the Republicans and the opportunities
OF doing themselves good thereby in the f,,-
ture were set forth frankly. not to say cyni-
cally. THERE'S a sufficient definitoness In this
exposition OF the benefits of Force bill:
TAs Election hu mrrs Wfhfn in.J IA. a.uya.,. NJ f.,,.
tarT hU BY hs hundred Congress elected ny tho n.o
pie. and not by fraud would uphold tho American policy
of protection. and shrink from change that
be necessary to make IL effective. Al I~ia a Doe,
Northern diy and Southern, m,1,, ,soulf 4. ,c,
under he saJ9udvds .ur1d,d BY mat would
resent faithfully and without compromise or w-aknes
the interest Of the working people Of the country
49, No Republican senator. however high his repu
tation strong his hold upon the party machinery car
Anord to sacrnca honesty Of elections in order PAS
any other measure whatever"
1t Is unnecessary to pay attention II
the Tribunc's remarks about fraud honesty
OF elections. or the interest of the working
people. This Is the customary phraseol
ogy In which the real purpose OF the Repub
hcan party In seeking the passage OF I