The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-01-11
ON THE DEFENSIVE.
Why Hill, German and Others Now Urge that
Policy on the Democratic Party.


Flushed with victory In contest against
the Mckinley tariff law a year ago. few
would have believed that the great leaders
on that side would to-day acknowledge
themselves on the defensive so soon Those
who are berating Governor Hill, of New
York. as a negationist in politics. In view of
his late address, are not SO wise to see nor
SO frank to acknowledge the real situation.
Such men as Senators German, Brice. Hill,
Speaker Crisp and that class of far-seeing
men are both wise enough to see and
confess, In terms at least that the great
masses of intelligent people honestly ap-
prehend the fact that under the new tariff
law prices of manufactured commodities,
including tin-plate, have not increased.
With the great masses of consumers who
are constantly in contact with prices in all
lines, this fact is worth more than all the
words of all the theorists Speaker Crisp
and his strong lieutenants saw this long
ago. and they were wise enough and strong
enough to throw overheard the blatant
Mills and his lmpracticable free-trade fol-
lowers. and bring even Mr.. Springer to see
the folly of bucking against Inevitable
facts which could elicit in the end but con-
tempt and defeat. The late Albany speech
a
same paipable facts of the situation. The
free-trade Mills people may denounce him
for his advocacy OF mere negatiOn. But
what could Pemberton do after his defeat
at Champion Hill and retreat into Vicks-
burg but act on the Gefensivel What can
any one do. or any party do. when circum-
vented and ''dOwned" by the facts-the
facts OF the present prices under the new
tariff These leaders know that it is worse
than madness TO further pursue the path
of mere theorists. Some of the great Demo.
cratic newspapers have exhibited like
wisdom in this matter. For instance, the
New York Herald. which recently said:
Again the wisdom of the Herald's advice has
been demonstrated. There W i'll be no attempt
at Washington this winter. to pass radical and
sweeping tariff bill. Such is the sensible course
decided upon by the conservative element which
will rule the great Democratic majority In Con-
gress The defeat OF Mr.. Mills prevents the
Democrats from making serious mistake He
and his friends would have insisted upon
the passage OF q radical measure which would
not only have disturbed business, hut would
have been absolute insanity from the stand point
ent informs us that the Demo cratic leader, have
decided to attempt at present no tariff revision.
The day Is not far off when the small
men of the Mills school will see that Cor
man, Hill. Crisp and their oonfreres have
taken the only course, to save the party
from contempt, if not defeat. for the peo-
pie will not accept tamelv presumption on
their Ignorance respecting the effect Of the
new tariff.
1t may, indeed. be humiliaung to confess
to false prohecy year ago. however honest
they Were then. 1t may be humiliatinR to
see all their theories about protection be-
ing tax" utterly Overthrown by the
facts of the markets, but it Is better to
shift to the defensive aud fight at bay for
victory than to meet both defeat and con.
tempt for their temerIty. This is plainly
the reasoning of the Hill and Crisp move
ment.
Furthermore, it may be said that this
new negation policy is fraught with far
more danger to Republican ascendency
than II the Mills policy and following had
triumphed. Their constant agitation of the
tariff question. and asseveration of theory
about it being u tax" would have caused
the people to look. into the markets and
discovered it's faisItv more certainly and
generally. and lost their confidence. To
universal protest of the business interests.
as the Herald says, at the folly of q
uaelesS disturbance on false theory.
What Governor Hill means is that as a
great victory was achieved in 1890 by
| charging In general terms that the new
| tariff was an outrage, it is wise to go on
| charging 1t In glittering generaiities. rather
than TO become too specific In the passage
| OF q new general act. and useIessiy arouse
| the great business interests of the country.
| In this he counts on the human weakness
| of pride of opinion" to carry tho party to
| victory on the high tide of $780, 1t is the
| view of q partisan politician, and though
| the wiscst offered for nero party success.
he will find all the people care for 10 to be
right AS desperate a. the game Is. il prom
ises success more than hsmmerinn ones
brains ont against the stone wall of facts.
| JNo. b. CONNER.
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 8.