New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-22
THE TROUBLES or DEMOCRACY.

A prominent Democrat at Washington vents
his vexation at the behavior of the House by
saving that the Democratic minority in that
BODY is an unorganized mob. Perhaps this is
piece of good luck for the country. If the
Democrats could do anything. there is more than
an even chance that they would do mischief. IL
organized and led efficiently by anybody, the
majority would naturally prefer n leadership
toward dangerous and destructive action. But
mob, unable 10 do anything, may prove less
harmful to the country than if it were an army.
The Democratic majority would smash the
tariff If it could Not knowing how, it goes at
tho business - fcolishly that even the most
Jealous opponents II protection are disguised and
angry Bills Of some sort will doubtless pass
the House. but slrh bills that nobody will expect
TO see them treated seriously in the Senate. 50
the Democratic majority means free silver, but is
so buneng and scnselcSs about it that there Is
anxiety in the minds of many silver men whether
they will get any bill passed at this session or not
Undoubtedly three quarters Of the Democratic
members large majority of the House, would
vote for any free silver bill, however cxtrava-
CANT if they could get at it. But 1t seems that
a caucus has been called for this week 10 decide
whether tho majority can have q chance to
record It's vote.
Neither Of the two factions is willing openly to
avow and take manly responsibility for what
il wants to do. The silver faction wants 70 side
track Mr.. Cleveland and make him impossible
as n candidate. But it is anxious not to seem
personally hostile to him, or in tho slightest
degree wavcrng,about tho tariff. a straight and
open declaration that 100 Democratic members
would not vote for any tariff bill whatever until
the silver bill had first been brought to vote
would certainly fore an early decision, but that
would give rivals at home chance to say OF
each of the 100 that he was unsound Oh FREQ
trade and helping the protectionists. Men OF
large sze would not care for such criticism, but
the members of the majority are, As rule, not
men OF large size.
SO the other faction wants to sldetrack the
silver issue, in order {; fore MIR. Clevelands
nomination. But ii does not dare to oppose free
coinage, or TO take any steps which rivals ut
home could interpret ~ hostility 70 that meas
ure If the out-and-out Free Traders should
declare that they would not touch any silver
bill until tho tariff bills had passed, they would
be held up to shame by Democratic domagogucs
as tools of the Wall Street gold bugs Tho
National policy which these men think abso-
lutely necessary to their personal success, and
to that of their party, most Of them have not
the pluck openly to ayow.
Il Is pitfur to see the labored editorials, in
spird by Cleveland Democrats imploring Re.
pubcans to help them by thrusting tho silver
question into tho background. Why Re-
pubicans should injure their own party in order
to give the FREQ Traders q better opportunity ;
why they should do anything to lift either Of
the Democratic factions out of its bemirement, no
one can explain. A vote for the speedy con
sideration Of the silver question, 50 that the
issue may be definitely submitted to the peo-
pie would be justified by strict regard for the
public welfare. TO postpone the Issue could do
no good but only harm to business and to in
d,strios. Bur when Democrats want help in
concealing the real character and purposes Of
their party, they have no occasion to look for it
from Republican members of Congress