New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-04
4 DEMOCRATIC NAN OF STRAW.
FUTILITY OF THE ATTEMPT TO PUSH AN MAO
MARY FORCE BILL TO TIE FRONT
CAMPAIGN ISSIrF

Washington, July (Spoclal).-The attempt Of
certain Democratic philosophers and newspapers 10
make an ina 1nary Force MH' the predomInating
Issue Of the coming Presidential CONTEXT exctes more
than little rdcue, not 10 say contempt. among
thoughtful Democrats in Washington. who clearly per
ccve that Il will not lon, deceive anybody who
Possesses spoonful OF Trains. one has not to seek
to seek far among Democratic Representatives even
among Southern men 10 discover this fact. which
after all Is not surprising one Neither Is II at
oil difficult TO penetrate the chief motive
for the attempt far leaders OF Southern
democratic opinion engage in ar encourage
1t. They do not hope or expect that the fraudulent
war cry will have any effect upon the Republican
party, but they do hope and expect thus to brighten
back into the Democratic ranks In the south J. ell
who have straycd thcrefrom into the thr party fold.
This they regard as smart" political manocuvre.
More sensible and thoughtful Democrats do not so
regard 1t. In conversation with n Tribune corrc
spondent Yesterday. one Of the latte said
Il can conceive Of nothing more silly than for
Democrats 10 attempt TO set up n man oi straw 10
fight whom there are real giants for them 10 contend
against in the great struggle which Is soon TO begin.
If there Force law the statute book 1t would
be different. Why. Just consider the situation. Tie
existence OF the Mckinley law. which We have been
dcnounclng for two years is living fact. We arc
pledged TO repeal modify those laws. and VIC are
about to appeal the voters Of the country TO give us
power TO redeem our pledges Shall We ignore the
issue upon which We base our appeal. and 20 on
On an isSue which docs not exist in tho
form OF statutcl Now. an abstrnct
proposition, everybody is in favor OF fsr elections
and l do not see how we are to debate that Oues-
ton. except rs an abstract DroDosidon-and in NV
opinion. votes arc not 10 be this wear BY dis
cussng possibilities. and distractions We contend
that the people are grooming under the burdens Of al
unjust and oppressive system Of taxation. aud We
would be blind and idiotc If should not strain
every nerve 70 maintain that contention"
You mentioned other real giants also" suggested
the correspondent.
enough engage close attention and Jealous
efforts The Democrats denonnce the existing Law
for the purchase Of silver bullion 10 be DaId for In
certificates, and demand the restoration Of silver
TO its old place In the currency OF
the country. Another concrete fnct. which Democrats
regard and dencunce oppression. is the tax which
prevents the Issue Of circulating notes except BY Ma
tlonaI banks and this gives the latter monopoly OF
the note circulation Of the country except as " notes
issued by the general Government itself Democrats
are opposed 10 bounucs and subsidies and theie are
on the statute book laws which authorize the payment
O. bountc to sugar producers and subsidies to stenm
ship companies. Democrats also opposed t the
kind OF reciprocity which is authorized ana enconr-
aged by the third section OF the Mckinley Iann act
so Won scc,7 continued this Democrat that we
have enough real foes 70 gh. enough i've ISSUES 10
di,cliss without setting up men Of straw. ~ we are
10 succeed at all IL must be on real issues IN Winch
the can be Interested ana won I'd our Sue