The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-06-13
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, TICKET.
Tic Real Question.

The Real Question. Y
The approaching campaign will be
one of unusual interest and will be a
contest OF measures and not Of men.
The generals the Republicans have Sc
lected to lead them distinctly represent
the policy and the principles of govern-
ment advocated by the Republican
party and in all probability, the lead,
ers to be chosen by the Democrats will
represent the policy Of that party.
In their representative capacity the
leaders of the respective sides will take
their places at the heads Of the two col
umns and the armies will face each
other for the contest.
Its possible that the result Of the
battle will determine for years ito
come the main questions that have di-
yided tho parties, particularly that re-
garding the tariff policy Of the govern
ment Upon this issue the fight will
be centred. II the Republican party
wins it will finally settle the matter, for
tho people will say for the second time
in eight years that they favor the con-
tinsInce OF the Protective policy.
II the Democrats win, it will mean
continued agitation OF the question for
an indefinite number Of years, and keep
the business of tho countryin an unset
tied state, for the power will be given
into the hands of party which never
has had and has not now settled fiscal
policy. It's only definite aim is oppose
ton to Republication, while it offers
nothing better in its place. True, it adj
yocates tariff reform. but is unable to
decide Just what tariff reform means.
With someit means absolute free trade;
with Others it means reduction in the
tariff, with incidental protection; with
still Others it means tariff for revenue
only; with others it means wiping out
the whole protective system by one
blow; and with others it means attack
ing the tariff piocemeal Fashionable
most dangerous Of all methods, since it
keeps the industrial world in an uncer-
tain and anxious state, no industry
knowing just when its turn will come
to be attacked and perhaps wiped out
Of existence.
In contrast to the uncertain policy
OF the Democratic party-uncertain
now. though its ultimate intention may
be the complete establishment OF free
trade-is the broad American policy OF
protection to American industries, as
embodied IN the Mckinley bill by the
Republican party. There is no nis,ak-
ing where it stands. There are no vari-
ous schools Of theorists. Every Repub-
lican in the land stands upon ono plat
form, has but one theory and that theory
expressed in the form OF lawtheparty
has placed on the statute booksra
theory practically applied, and under
the workings OF which the country has
grown great, prosperous and powerful,
while her industrial interests have in
creased and developed wonderfully.
These, then, are the positions which
the two parties occupy on the eve OF
battle. Ii either has an advantage it
Is the Republican party, for, by reason
Of the certainty OF its position, BECAUSE
the people know where to find it on the
great questions affecting their welfare
and happiness, and because of the
magnificent record of the past thirty
two years, it possesses the confidence
of the industrial and business worlds.
On the other hand, the Democratic
marty. whose whole record has been
one Of opposition to every principle,
every measure which the Republican,
have carried to successful issue, from
the conduct OF the war for the Union
down to the passage of the Mckinley
bill is placed at adecided disadvantage
Ietthose who discuss the possibility
that this candidate or that candidate IL
weak or strong, is popular or unpopular
in certain sections or among certain
classes, bear this in mind: That IN
these years the personal popularity O
men Il mot the grcatissue in presiden
tial campaign. Vital principles anc
80, -ooords ara nj stake. As the is
sues ara forced when the campaign pro
crosses they are forced upon the pabiit
mind. It lie not whether Benjamin
Harrison or Grover Cleveland viii dis