St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-12
a PARTY wIrHOUr POLICY.

Dispatches from Washington state
that some Of the younger members of
the Republican minority IN congress
are becoming FESTIVE under what they
denominate the policy of inaction pur-
sued by the recognized leaders, and
murmurs of revolt are being heard on
every hand, which may at any time TAX e
form and lead to such a revolution as
shall relegate those who now assume to
rule the party to the rear, and bring the
younger and more belligerent element
to the front of battle.
There is, no doubt, good reason for
this dissatisfaction. The only wonder
is that it has not manifested itself be-
fore the present time. The Republican
party, as represented in congress. Is ab-
solutely without a policy. unless OBJ
StructiOn may be called policy. There
is no unity of purpose among it's mem-
bers on the financial question. Many of
Its foremost leaders are standing side by
side with the Democrats in the effort to
provide safe and stable currency for the
people. while many others are ardent
supporters and defenders of the silver
those from the Northwestern states. are
brayely advocating reform ID our
tariff laws, and furnishing substantial
aid and comfort to The Democrats whose
avowed purpose it is 10 wipe out the in
iquitous MCKINLEY law. A majority,
however, are on the side OF the pro-
tected monopoiies. and would fain in
crease their privileges, their profits and
their power. They are divided as to the
policy Of continuing the federal cleo
| ton law. They fear to abolish it, lest
some partisan advantage may be lost
| thereby; they fear to sustain it, because
| they are aware OF the deep-seated pop
| ular prejudice against it. On matters
| affecting the tariff the sections are di-
vided more hopeiessiy, perhaps. than
| on any other question; and if the Demo
Gratis are but true to the principles of
! their national platform, they may feel
| assured that they will encounter no
effective opposition from the Repub-
iicans.
The party in congress may fairly be
said to be without a policy. No agree
ment upon any important issue Is prac-
teal or possible. 1t is not subject for
wonder that the leaders are unable to
lead. but are drifting about aimlessly
| upon the broad sea Of politics. They
| find themselves, on all questions of
present concern, between the devil and
| the deep sea, and when they are con-
| fronted with the necessity of assuming
line of action are as much in q guam
4 m 40
| sue as the luckless wight who gave ex-
| preston to his dilemma by exclaiming
"Ill be damned if do, and be damned
| if don't"
The Republican dilemmais ludicrous,
| despite its pitiable aspects. 1t is lam.
| enIable that party assuming to rep
resent a large fraction of the American
| people should be so devoid of all ele.
ments of manhood and independence as
10 assume the despicable role into which
| it has been forced. 1t is today simply a
party of obstruction. While forced to
| acknowledge the evils from which the
people are suffering. it opposes legiSia-
ton to mitigate or cure those evils. I5
| is powerless to effect beneficial legisla-
ton itself, and, like the dog in the
manger. seeks to prevent the dominant
party from carrying out its policy of re-
form. While its opposition is bound to
! be fruitless. its assistance is not needed,
1t lags superfuous on the stage of ac-
ton. 1t is better that it shonld die: for
| when dead its history and example may
| prove useful lesson to future genera
tions. while it can only live to clog the
--hasls OF Drograss.