New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-26
SHALL THE CONTENTION RE1SSENBLE'

Did tho Democrats composing the Natioiai
Democratic Convention of 1892 mean any
thing in particular of an honest nature In eX-
re;sing themselves as they did in relation 10
tbo tariff? Was it their intention that 'he
tariff panlx of their platform should be I'M
dorstood as meaning what it says, or that IT
should be regarded simply as fickwickiah
dolivegance-" full of sound and Jury SIGNIFY
ing n2th;ng'? In other words was one con-
vention gathering of shameless 'rIckstcis or
of sincere, Trustworthy men?
These are not gratuitous questions. Inc!
find their warrant in the present attitude or
the Democracy touching the tariff. 1t Is not
an attitude which is in harmony with the tafili
rlank adopted by the National Democratic
Convention of 1892, upon which Mr.. tleve-
land made his canvass for the Presidency.
Here is 1.-THE Charleston News and Courle:'
for example. While protesting fidelity to me
tariff plank in question, while echong the IN
sensate CIV of the Cbicag, convention that
Protection is unconstitutional, that Protection
is robbery. ii denies that the Democratic part!
is pledged t. make war on American INDUSTRIES
and asserts that L" it is not true that the Demo
cratic Administration will conference legs
lotion discriminating against our industrial IN
forests Now. if the tariff plank adopted at
Chicago means what il says, If it is not an un-
adulterated sham, why then nothing can DC
clearer than that the Democratic party Is Ill
rectlv and emphatically pledged to make war
on American industries. and that the Demo-
cratic Administration is in duty bound TO coun-
tenancc legislation discriminating against our
industrial interests. The obvious fact is, how
ever. that the Democracy has not the courage
of the Chicago platform. 1t does not purpose
to put in practice lis tariff resolution. III pre-
fers to hunl; and trim and dldge. Protection
being robbery" Protection being "unconsu-
tutionll," the Democracy can have no more
exigent duty than at once to proceed 10 It's
complete extirpaton. But it VIII do nothing
OF the sort 1t prefers to write itself down an
arrant imposture. 1t prefers to condonc rob-
berry, and "unconsituticnality."
An interesting suggestion was made Few
DAYS ago by a leading Democratic journal
which has only TO be put in practice to re-
lieve the Democratic party from the profound
embarrassment under which it is now laborng
touching the tariff In a sharp article adj
dress d 70 all the members Of It's patty who
/
pocy cnunciatcd at Chicago, "The sum OF
this city Use, this language:
If the general opinion Of the party at the present
time is that the tariff plank Of o02 was Il mistake
that Protection is not unconstitutional; that Proiec-
ton Is not robbery that customs duties may be I'M
posed and collected for other purposes than revenue
that the experiment outlined In the conventions reSo
luton Is impracticabe. then, the only honorable way
out Of the difficulty is to have the Democratic Ma
iona Committee call another convention OF the party
with full representative status and authority, and to
have the new convention rcscnd the resolution OF
1852.
IT is heroic measure which "The SUM- sug-
ce,sts but none other would seem to be avail
able in the circumstances. 1t remains 10 be
seen whether or not on reflection 1.-The News
and Courier will help organize a movement
! having for It's object the immediate recOnyening
of the Democratic National Convention. In
case the movement is successful. obviously ii
will be proper for Henry Watterson to preside
over the convention with his hand on his mouth
and his mouth in the dust. And Of course all
the delegates will wear slckcloth and ashes.