New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-23
A CUCKOO SONG.

When Republicans forecast as Vhe re>"o VI
n complete Democratic victory in November the
enactment Of extreme legislation respecting the
tariff or the National bank system they are
confronted with a dangerous kind of optimism
based upon a half truth. The rejoinder IS
made: "You predicted dire calamities to the
country in 1884 but Mr.. Cleveland was elected
President and no catastrophe followed. AS ne
served for one term without running the coun-
trv il is safe to assume that second Demo
cratic Administration will not involve any disas-
trous consequences" This is. we think, 1air
statement of the position assumed by many
Independents and Protectionists, who are MOI
in sympathy with tho declarations OF the Chi-
cago platform respecting the tariff Nanohal
banks, Reciprocity and other public questions
but who are reluctant to vote against Mr.
Cleveland.
Now the half-truth is this: Mr.. Cleveland
was elected in 1854 and Democratic House
with him; and in 1885 another Democratic
House was chosen In order to make 1t the
whole truth, the statement must be added that
the Senate remained under Republican control
throughout his term The Democratic victory
was not complete. The Republican Senate acted
nc bealxwater against the food OF Democratic
tariff legislation. If the Republican fore
casts of 1884 were net fulfilled in the enact
ment Of such a measure as the Mills BILL ana
in the consequent disturbance OF business IN
terests dependent upon the Protective system,
it was because the Democratic party had no.
obtained possession of that great strongnoid OF
political power, the United States Senate
We ask Independents and Protectoust DEM
ocrats to consider calmly and dlspasHonately
whether they can afford to take the risks OF a
low-tariff victory, which may not be partial as
in 1884. but complete. What assurance have
they that the Senate will remain Republican II
tbe Democrats succeed in eleoting Mr.. Cleve-
land and majority of the lower House? The
Republican majority in the Senate is not large
and considerable number OF seats VIII be
filed by the Legislatures to be elected this fall
It is by no means improbable that sweeping
Democratic victory II it occurs this year, Will
he followed by reversal of existing political
conditions in the Senate. There will then be
nothing to prevent the enactment OF those
radical measures to which the Democratic party
is fully and irrevocably committed by the Chi
cago platform.
Let us remind these optimists that the low
tariff OF 1S4b was Carrier u. Jiic 'dc'iHb '"'O
of Democratic Vice-President Mr.. Dallas,
from the Protectionist State Of Pennsylvania
The measure had been passed by the House,
and there was Democratic President waiting
to sign it if it could be forced through the
Senate There was an even division in the
Senate between the Protectionists and the Free
Traders, and Mr.. Dallas, who had been sup
ported in Pennsylvania and other States on the
strength of his Protcctonist speeches, joined
the Free Traders and gave the casting vote
for the Walker tariff. That is a warning to all
Protectionists that a Democratic Vice-President
upon close division may again have power to
overthrow the industrial system OF the country
Optimism is a cuckoo song in the politics OF
the day. If any Independent or Democratic
Protectionist breads the tendencies of the revo-
lutionary doctrines proclaimed at Chicago, only
one course is open to him if he chooses to
follow the dictates of prudence and enlightened
self-interest That is to vote against the party
of Free Trade, Free Silver and Wildcat