Huntsville gazette., 1893-08-26
DEMOCRACY AND THE TARIFF.
Shffty Methods of the PalterinG Party
Now in Power.

Shifty Methods of the PaItering Party
Now in Power.
Among the various views taken on
the duty of the party in power in re-
gard to the tariff, that of the demo-
cratic Boston Herald is remarkable.
In its forecast of the probable action of
democratic majority in congress on
the tariff, the Herald says: I'VE
have little doubt that the ultimate
policy of the democratic party will
tend to make a very low tariff. We be-
lieve this because we have the firm
conviction that the needs of the coun-
try will SO clearly point this ont as de-
sirable that there will be no opposition
to it in the democratic party, and not
much in any other. 1t does not follow
from this at all that an immediate at
tempt to bring about very low tariff
is either necessary or desirable. The
true policy is to act tentatively in this
matter. An extreme change from a
high tariff to very low one is not
philosophical or statesrnanlike."
Certainly it is not: and this is exactly
what republicans said during the presi-
dcntial campaign. But the representa-
tivcs of the democracy at Chicago sol
emnly declared that any other tariff
than tariff for revenue only was un-
constitutional. Upon that declaration
Mr. Cleveland was nominated and
elected. If this was not . pledge given
by the democratic party to the people
to remove all protective duties, what
was it?
The Herald shuffies over the question
with characteristic disingenuousness:
"a favorite method with those who de-
sire to make mischief is to refer to a
general declaratio in the democratic
platform of last year against all protec-
ton. We do not propose now to go in
to an examination Of how this declara-
ton was brought about. There were
certain class of men who supported it
in that convention for purposes of mis-
chief. as there are few democrats who
support it now from the same motive.
Nobody then regarded it as more than
a generality The Herald declared at
once that it would not be carried out in
its letter during the coming administra-
ton, and President Cleveland was care
full in his acceptance of the democratic
nomination to give it no Endorsement.
It is clear case where in the language
of the Scripture, the letter killeth. In
place of it, therefore, we have not
doubt that there will be substituted for
it the spirit that giveth life. The spirit
Of the declaration was tariff reform
not tariff reform SO precipitate and ex-
trcfne as to defeat its own ends, but
tariff reform that shall give a sounder
policy to the country as regards reve-
nue. than that which now prevails,
without attempting to create revolu-
ton which the country docs not expect,
and for which it is not prepared"
1t can make no earthly difference
how the tariff for revenue only declara-
ton was brought about, nor is the fact
that Mr.. Cleveland failed to indorse it
of any Importance. He did not and he
could not repudiate it. AS the candi-
date of his party he was and is bound
in honor to carry out the party pledges.
He has no choice in the matter what
ever.
The Herald certainly errs when it
speaks of the democracy's condemna-
ton of the protective policy as gener-
aity. On the contrary, it could not
have been more direct, sweeping, spe-
cific and une9uivocal. Nor could the
pledge then given have been made
stronger.
The democratic party has been dilly-
dallying with the tariff question long
enough. 1t has proposed its theories,
elaborated its doctrines and promised
it's results. On the full statement of
its programme the people empowered it
to act 1t cannot now retreat. 1t cam
not plead that it did not mean what it
said. 1t must go ahead with its expert
mcnt at whatever cost, or plead guilty
to having secured place and power un-
der false pretenses.
The paltcring and shifty halfway
course suggested by the Herald would
be worse than dishonest; it would be
dishonorable.
The democracy is on trial. 1t must
show whether it is honest or liar and
cheat, and no sophistry can cloud the
Issue.-Albany journal.