New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-28

THE ELECTIONS ELL FIRST THT'
Already the interesting statement is found
in some Democratic papers that Democratic
manufacturers and workingmcn who testified
before the Committee Of the House in regard
n the tariff. and who earnestly urged that the
protective duties affecting their industries
should not be disturbed, are no longer entitled
70 he considered Democrats. These mon. 1t Is
said manifest extraordinary impGdence IN
claiming r. belong to a National party. and ask
ing il to repudiate its most solemn declarations
of PURPOSE The party pledged itself. by de-
liherate decision of its National convention. to
treat any and every form of protective duty
al contrary to the Constitution and beyond the
yiohtful power Of Congress. These who say
this declare that the utterancc OF the conveh-
ton establishes q now test OF Democracy. ana
that nobody can be Democrat in good and
regular standing who does not accept this doe
trnc fully, and square his own conduct, As
regards our public affairs, to that doctrine.
On this point it may he said that the Demo-
cratic party will need the repeal OF the cleo
ton laws very badly at the next election II II
proceeds to take this ground There are TOO
MANY voters in that party who still believe III
Protection and desire it, and have strong be-
lief that their party will never abolish IT. W hen
the party undertakes ~ weed ont all these
men it will need to be rid not only OF all cleo
ton laws. but of every other restraint against
sv;ndl;nc AZ elections. All the fraudulent
voting it has ever done. and all the false count
ing. and all the forged returns. will he lnSle-
nifcant COMPARED with the volume OF lniquity
needed to keep the Democratic party IN power
if all those 60 ont of it who believe IN the dc-
fence of their industries by the Government
and ardenilv desire the retention OF protective
duties which affect those industries
The fact that these past members OF the
Democratic party are very anxious IN regarc
TO its present behavior is made clear enough
bv transactions every day. From almost eve'T
quarter of the country there came IN to Wash
inpton. during the sessions Of the Committee
on Wavs and Means exceedingly earnest and
even impassioned protests against the course
which If was understood the committee was
likely t, take But behind the few who were
able to apoear at Washington there are voters
literally numbering millions who have a DIS
tinct interest in this question, and great many
of them understand that interest already il
NAV be asked as it has been in almost every
election for the last thirty years. how II comes
10 pass that men continue to uphold the Dem
ocratic party and to vote for It's candidates who
are nevertheless at war, both IN their personal
convictions and in their interests. with the ira
ditional purposes and the overwhelming ten
dencv Of the patty as 10 the taYf question:
One has only to lool, about him, among thoS"
whom he personally knows 10 understand how
mon continue to hold such position. con
siderable proportion of the Democratic voters.
NJ doubt. may fairly he said 10 have no dis
tinct understanding on the question: and the
votes of such men are given to the party with
ont regard to its economic policy. But every
enc knows personally many Democrats VINO
are perfectly aware that they cannot afford 10
have the known policy Of the Democratic party
carried into effect and who have thus far per
suaded themselves. year after year that the
thing never will he done Even at this hour
such Democrat; are saving to each other that
il is impossible for their representatives IN
Congress to place the great party to which they
are attached in position so fatal. II Is not
possible for these men 10 believe that ma
iOritv of Congressman can be found 10 strlk"
down by their votes industries which the coun-
try has been laboriouSy building up fer more
than thirty years, and in the wonderful de-
velonmcnt Of which il has taken a Just pride.
When the Democratic party is ready to serve
notice of eviction upon all such members, 1t
NAV as well discontinue any effort to carry
elections IN the Northern States. except hy the
processes which have secured it success in de
Il e., IT,, nj L.
en- states Thus it is extremely proper that
the majority in the House should insist upon
passing the BIZ repeating the election laws,
before it commits itself in any way to radical
change Of tariff II will need unlimited chances
for election frauds if it proceeds to act upon
its platform.