New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-20
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY on TRIAL.


| now.
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY on TRIAL.
The so-called tariff hearings end to-day. 10
l. no discouresy to the majority OF the coh'-
m;ttee TO say that these hearings were per-
mitted only in Difference to public opinion, ana
that they were never intended to influence inc
| action of the majority adversely to its party
nolicy. Recognizing this great proportion OF
,be manufacturers have made no effort TO DC
| hoard. II has saved them from personal IN
sult on the scarcely less CALLING contempt ana
Indifference of the committee, and from much
questioning which has often seemed to have 10
| other motive than to force manufacturers 10
disclose their private affairs to competitors Ut
| alse IN subject themselves to the imputation vi
making exorbtant profits 1t has spared them
waste of time and money. III the informa-
tion they could have given would have been
instructive to the public, manufacturers in the
GREAT departments have the natural feeling
that il the experience Of thirty years has not
taught voters anything, single statement
which no Democratic newspaper would iairi!
nrint could never break up deeply rooted preIu-
dice or penetrate fathomless depths OF lgno-
rance.
There are many other manufacturers VINO
have themselves been convinced by experience
under the Mckinley tariff that their previous
hostility to its principles was mistaken. 1hey
have learned the folly Of the clamor ior 1ree
raw materials. They have been taught that
nrosperous and well paid millions can buy vast
~ more than ill-paid workers, and thus furnish
the ONLY basis upon which manufacturing pros
rerity can rest. They have seen wonderiul
nropress within three years in methods OF manu-
| facture. in kinds of goods produced IN econ
omv of manufacture, and in wages OF laDor'
Thousands of such men, although Democrats
IN theory. have insensibly come to believe that
their marty must protect home industry as thor
oughly as the Republican party has DONE or IL
will not deserve support Their anxiety has
LODI them to seek representation before the
committee. An unusual proportion of the testi-
monv this wear has come from Democrats who
appealed with passionate earnestness to ther
rarity friends not to destroy at once their IN
dustries and their affection for their party
II these appeals have been IN vain they may
at least help to complete the enlightenment Vi
these Democrats regarding the character OF
their party. Many new industries, or new de-
velopments in old industries, have Sought
hearing. in the hope that the Democrats OF the
committee would see the unwsdcm OF back
ward step These gentlemen perhaps do not
understand that the great majority OF Demo
cratic Congressman are bound hand and foot
Inv the pledges they have given to constituents.
They do not desire light, because they know
they cannot overcome the prejudces they have
20 long fostered and used, and they do not
dare to fry. Though evidence were more con-
vincing than proofs OF Holy Writ these mem
bors would have to rush furiously down steep
| Mace into the sea- The force behind them
which they have labored for many years to
increase. has become for them irresistible. To
90 with it or be trampled underfoot IS their
only alternative.
II has not seemed desirable thing that the
JIouse Committee should report a weak dilution
of Democracy. The principles and purposes OF
the Democratic party have been declared with
sufficient distnctness. But the millions do not
readily translate abstract principles into con-
crete changes 1t was desirable that the bill
70 be presented and discussed should represent
the real meaning of Democratic declarations
and put at least an appreciable part OF Demo-
cratic principles into definite changes of duty
so that each man could see for himself how 1t
vould affect him. The day for shabby tricks
and low lodges it has been hoped ended with
the Democratic victory of 1892. The country
wants to know in exact terms what that party
considers q proper and constitutional tariff for
revenue only, and then voters can determine
how they like it. If such a tariff cannot be
passed, the Democratic party will stand con-
yicted of deliberate falsehood. it has the
votes. all elected upon the same explicit decla-
ration of principles 1t has the strongest pos
sible motive for exhibiting some Of the positive
and constructive qualities which it has not
shown for moie than thirty years. Failure or
refusal to square its action to its pledges will
end the matter. If the country is going to
have a protective tariff, it will decide to have
that tariff framed by Protectionists. The
Democrats in Congress may rest assured that
lodging and trickery will cost them something.
Any compromise or horizontal tariff would be
so gross an anachronism, so plain a confession
of incapacty to meet the needs of this age of
the world that it would deserve to be indig-
nantIy spurned by honest men of all parties.
II Democratic pledges and theories mean any
thing, let the country see what they mean.
II they mean nothing, let the next election turn
upon that fact.
The Valyries arrival is expected momentarlly,