The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-08-18
THE DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL.
Shifty Methods OF the Paltering Party
Now In Power.


Now In Power.
Among the various views taken on
the duty of the party in power in re-
gard to the tariff. that of the demo-
cratic Boston Herald is remarkable.
In its forecast of the probable action OF
the democratic majority in congress on
the tariff, the Herald says: I'VE
have little doubt that the ultimate
policy of the democratic party will
tend to make very low tariff. We be-
lieve this because we have the firm
conviction that the needs of the coun-
try will so clearly point this out as de-
sirable that there will be no opposition
to it in the democratic party, and not
much in any other. 1t does not follow
from this at ell that an immediate at
tempt to bring about very low tariff
is either necessary or desirable. The
true policy is to act tentatively in this
matter. An extreme change from a
high tariff TO very low one is not
philosophical or statesmanlike."
Certainly il is not: and this is exactly
what republicans said during the presi-
Dental campaign. But the representa-
tives of the democracy at Chicago sol
EMMY declared that any other tariff
than a tariff for revenue only was I'M
constitutional. Upon that declaration
Mr.. Cleveland was nominated and
elected. If this was not a pledge given
by the democratic party to the people
to remove all protective duties, what
| was it?
The Herald shuffies over the question
with characteristic disingenuousness:
"a favorite method with those who de
sire to make mischief is to refer to a
general declaration in the democratic
platform of last year against all protec'
ton. We do not propose now to go IN
to an examination of how this declara'
ton was brought about. There were a
certain class of men who supported II
in that convention for purposes OF mis-
chief. as there are a few democrats who
support it now from the same motive
Nobody then regarded it as more thar
a generality. The Herald declared a.
once that it would not be carried out II
its letter during the coming admlnlstra
ton. and President Cleveland was care
full in his acceptance of the democratic
nomination to give it no Endorsement
II is a clear case where, in the language
of the Scripture, the letter killeth- Ii
place of it, therefore, we have not
doubt that there will be substituted fol
it the spirit that giveth life. The spin
of the declaration was tariff reform
not tariff reform so precipitate and ex
treme as to defeat its own ends, bu
tariff reform that shall give sounde
policy to the country as regards reve
nve than that which now prevails
without attempting to create reyolu
ton which the country does not expect
and for which it is not prepared"
1t can make no earthly ditferenc
how the tariff for revenue only declare
ton was brought about, nor is the fac
that Mr.. Cleveland failed to indorse l
of anv importance. He did not and h
could not repudiate it AS the candi
date of his party he was and is boun
in honor TO carry out the party pledges
He has no choice in the matter what
ever.
The Herald certainly errs when
speaks of the democracy's condemns
ton OF the protective policy as genel
atty. On the contrary, 1T could nc
have been more direct, sweeping, spt
cific and unequivocal. Nor could tn
pledge then given have been mad
stronger.
The democratic party has been dill,
dallving with the tariff question lon
enough. 1t has proposed its Theories
elaborated its doctrines and promise
it's results. On the full statement
its programme the people empowered
, to act. 1t cannot now retreat 1t cal
not plead that it did not mean what
said. 1t must go ahead with its exper
ment at whatever cost, or plead guilt
J to having secured place and power III
der false pretenses-
The paltering and shifty half-wa
course suggested by the Herald woul
be worse than dishonest; it would
dishonorable.
The democracy is on trial. 1t mu'
show whether it is honest Or liar an
a cheat, and no sophistry can cloud tt
lssue.-Albany Journal
.Is. I'm.