The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-21
Democratic Disagreement and Demo-
cratic Accord.

The disagreement as to the silver ques-
ton In both parties has excuse. II not JUS
tiication. in the platforms Of both. The op-
portunity for it was purposely left open by
the platform OF each. Thequeston was not
an Issue joined before the people last year. 1t
was evaded or held in allegiance, and no de-
cision as to it was rendered in the election
Of November. The bipartisan discussion
and the bipartisan division on it in
Congress were made inevitable by the per-
mission afforded by those platforms. Mel
Their party in Congress is controlled by
fixed and unmlstakable silver policy en-
forceable by party caucus.
Therein lies the cause Of the confusion
in Congress over the silver question.
Every Senator has felt himself free to
take the side which commends itself
to his individual Judgment. or which
he believes Is supported by the pre-
vailing sentiment Of his State. He feels
that he is at liberty to interpret his party
platform In his own way. Hence, even
compromise has been extremely difficult. II
not impossible. The task Is not to har-
monte two sets OF opinions merely. but
to reconcile many different and individual
brought to bear to overcome the disagree
ment; only persuasion can be used. Mr..
CAMERON as a Republican stands as
we'll as Mr.. HoAR. though the one is
against the Silver Repeal bill and the
other is for it. Neither Mr.. GoRMAN nor
Mr.. SHERMAN can be accused Of parti-
san disloyalty because he favors COM
promise Mr.. MORGAN and Mr.. BUTLER
are as faithful Democrats as Mr.. MCPHER-
son and Mr.. HILL. though they are on OPP
posito sides OF that question. During the
whole OF the long and bitter controversy in
the extra session no one has assumed to
make Senator's attitude as to the Silver
Repeal bill a test OF his party fidelity. Each
Senator is responsible individually for
his individual opinions on that question;
his party has no responsibility for them.
He Is exercising freedom Of opinion per-
mitted by his party touching a subject
which has not been decided by his party.
That is very unfortunate state OF affairs.
Unless party lines are squarely drawn with
reference to such question. unless it Is
distinct party issue. lamentable and mortl-
flying confusion must result.
Happily. when this silver question Is out
OF the way, the issues In Congress are dis
tinct and sharp. They are the overthrow
of Federal interference with State elections
and the destruction OF protection. AS
to these. each party has laid down
square principles. and each Is diamet-
really opposed to the other. nor
NAL political contest between the two
will proceed, and it must be decided in favor
of the majority held together in an I'M
hrp lyan nd n braa kah In ri MI
fidelity must keep the Republican minority
consolidated in defence of the Election laws
and OF protection. They cannot break their
lines without treachery to their party and
perfdy to the people. The Democrats
must be marshalled In solid array
against them. They must wipe out
the Election laws and root out pro-
lection. or suffer the penalty which the peo-
pie administer to political perfidy. Already
the Democratic majority OF the House of
Representatives has partly fulfilled It's
promise to the people. by discharging the
first duty with unanimity and rapidty; and
undoubtedly the Democratic Senate and
the Democratic President will complete the
business at an early day in the coming SEES
sion at least. The second pledge of the
party must then be fulfilled with equal
unanimity and completeness.
The Democratic party does not oppose
protection as debatable policy. 1t does not
find fault with the protective tariff because
of its details. because 1t Is too high or too
low. but because the principle on which the
whole OF it is founded Is unconstitutional
and forbidden. The party has bound itself
to the people to destroy protection abso-
lutely as an obligation to the Constitution.
1t Is not at liberty to make any terms,
any compromises with protection. 1t must
sweep the whole robbery away. or betray its
principle. I'VE declare 1t to be funda-
mental principle OF the Democratic party"
said the brave and outspoken Chicago plat
form. that the Federal Government has
no constitutional power to impose and col
lect tariff duties. except for the purpose of
revenue only" The Democratic Congress.
accordingly. cannot leave In the tariff the
slightest vestIge OF protection. without |
an outrage on the Constitution. |
As matter OF constitutional principle. 1t |