Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-12-21
DUTY OF THE DEMOCRACY
1t Should Uphold the Party's
Tariff Pledges.
A LESSON IN POLITICAL COURAGE
Democratic Opposition to the
New Tariff Bill.
The Only True Policy for the Demo-
cratic Representatives in Congress to
Adopt--soine of the Objections Urged
Against tho Wilson Bill.
Baltimore sun special.

Baltimore sun special.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-It would be
more than petty to deny that harmony is
lacking and apprehension is rife in the
ranks of the triumphant and inyincihle
Democracy of 1897. 1t seems almost
incredible that the gallant army which a
short II months since had its foe PROSTATE
under its heel, its victorious banner float
ing from every stronghold of the Federal
government its legions in possession of
citidels long held by the enemy and popu-
larly regarded as impregnable, and APP
parently entrenched securely in every
avenue of power for long years to come,
should be torn and rent by divided
cowardly promptings, by the selfish inn
pulses of the time-seryer. Yet such is the
situation. Confronting this disorganized
host is the defeated and discounted enemy
OF 1882, more hopeful, more aggressive,
more datiant than ever. Courage and
confidence in the future sits enthroned
above the one; fear. hesitation and doubt
above the other. The hope of the one lies
in the fact that when it resolves upon d
plan of campaign it sticks steadily to it.,
and rank and file march ever i'll compact
step to its music. Disaster, which hangs
brooding over the other, is born of the
wavering, the delay, the relaxation of
discipline which seems inseparable from
Democratic leadership when responsibility
accom- panies it,.
The great secret-no, not O secret, for it
is as an open book-the great reason for all
the successes Of the Republican party is
It's grand courage in pursuing purpose.
Whenever from its first development as u
great party on the arena of national poll
tics it announced policy, it has stuck to
it through thick and thin. The discon-
tented had to fall into line or to drop out.
Reverses have come but who can say
after all the Republican party has ma
terially suffered in the long run by reason
of its desertels. Why cannot the Demo-
cratic leaders take this one useful lesson
from their adyersaries? When they de-
mine on policy, why not stick to it and
rush it2
In 1890, after the Republicans made up
their minds to impose the roboer tariff
upon the country, they did not swerve an
inch from the line marked out or waste
one unnecessary moment in the march
from inception to fruition. They had
malcontentS quite as numerous and quite
as influential as those who distract Demo-
cratic counsels now. But word was passed
to the malcontents that it was best for
them to keep up with the procession, and
they kept up.
1t will not do to mince words. This is
the only true policy for the Democracy to
pursue now. If Republican example had
been followed and Republican experience
benefited by, the Tariff bill would have
been reported the day Congress met. 1t
could and ought to have passed in time to
be on the table of the Senate finance com
miltee before the Christmas recess. The
malcontents would then have had no op-
portunity for mysterious intrigues for arr
Ing their own little selfish local grievances
and demanding the alteration, or rather
abandonment, of policy to which the
party is solemnly committed and which
the people have overwhelmingly ratified.
II they did not wish to keep up with the
procession they could lag behind and meet
the fate which oyertakes backsliders.
AS indicated elsewhere the Tariff bill
Will in all probability be reported this
week. 1t Is to be hoped the prognosti-
cation will prove correct Every day
which passes without its report adds to
the disaffection and dissatisfaction.
Nothing has been gained, nothing could
be gained in the vain attempt to please
every one.
The Democratic party is pledged to tariff
reform. Let us haven't. Face the music.
Give up the nonsensical idea of com bining
class protection with tariff for revenue
If there is anything the American people
like and admire it is adherence to prin-
ciple, it is unfaltering firmness, it is the
tullilment of promise. 1t is time for the
Democratic leaders to take command IN
earnest. 1t is time for the Democratic
party in Congress to pull itself together.
II II will only do this all will be well; but
u " continues to play at skies and sevens,
God help it.
OPPONENTS OF TARIFF BILL.
The few Democratic opponents OF the
tar1H bill who are outspoken with regard
to their attitude of hostility have figured
that there are at least seven Democratic
Senators who will vote against the bill ii it
is presented to the Senate in its present
form.
Representative Sperry of Connecticut.
who ventures the somewhat hazardous
prediction that the present Congress will
De unable to agree upon any tariff legisla-
ton, does not hesitate to name the men,
beers OF the Senate who are counted upon
to dereat the whole Democratic policy.
The most remarkable circumstances in
connection with the assertion is that nearly
all the Senators named have declined to
state what their attitude regarding the bill
Will be until it comes before them for con-
Sideration.
1t may be said of one of the Senators in.
Guided in Mr.. Sperry's list-Senator White
(Cal.)--that the assertion so far as it CON
Germs him is entirely without foundation.
Senator White said tonight that he did
and have II amended, but should his effort
fail he will vote for the bill.
IL has also been commended that the
Populist Senators would aid the disatfected
democrats, but Senator PETER saws this is
untrue so far as he is concerned. He does
not like the wool and sugar schedules,
because he thinks they will iniure the
farmers: but all his other objections to the
bill are its protective features With char
acteristic originality, the Senator from
Kansas suggests that the ways and means
committee should have provided for a
graduated reduction of all duties on nro-
tected manufactures, so that they might
be wiped out within certain period of
time, as is proposed to abolish the sugar
bounty.
Dissatisfaction with the sugar schedule
seems to be increasing among members Of
the House of Representatives, and il is
predicted by one of the most conservative
members on the Democratic side that the
House will probably strike sugar from the
bill entirely and leave the Senate to settle
the difficulty by imposing tax.
A committee representing the cheroot
manufacturers of Richmond, Va, came to
the city to-day to confer with Congress
man WISE relative to the proposed increase
III the tax ON tobacco in that form. They
want Mr.. Wise and other members who
have constituents interested in this branch
oil the business to do all in their power to
prevent the proposed increase.
1t is also understood that the ways and
means committee will probably recon-.
mend an increase on cigars from 50 cents
to 81 per thousand. 1t is said delegations
Will come to Washington to protest against
that raise also.
Struck BY II Tornado.
HARRISBURG, ILL, Dec. 16.-At o'clock