Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-08-02


that under southern domination the
democratic party has always done as
1t agreed, except when it has agreed
to do right; it has never failed to keep
its pledge TO support wrong or up
hold disreputable cause. 1t promised
to support slavery, and still cringes at
the crack Of southern whips: it prou-
Used to support secession, and still re-
Nerges the lost cause by harassing our
disabled soldiers; 1t Promised it's sup
port to fiat money and still throws its
party strength in aid Of every move
ment calculated TO debaSe or degrade
our currency; 1t promised It's support
to state sovereignty and when for the
first time in forty years 1t had control
of all branches Of the government, it
SignaliZed its accession to power by
abolishing every federal safeguard to
free ballot and a fair count. It's
transccndant ability to place itself on
tie wrong side Of every public ques-
ton should have left no room for
doubt that it would fulfill its threat to
reverse the financial policy that, under
republican administration had re-
suited in progress unparalleled in the
history Of the world. The Introduction
Of tie Wilson bill with all its radical
changes was IL necessary and iosiIai
sequence of democratic success, and
the history Of that bill proves how
easy it is for embecility to hang upo1
the coat tail of ignorance. Vested by
the people with absolute control OF
both the legislative and executive
branches of the government, the dem
ocratic party has tried in vain for up
wards OF year to construct 4 tariff
satisfactory to itself, but has found it
self incapable Of slrmounting the diff
iicultes that grow out OF the fact that
it is and always has been a sectional
party, having no settled principles,
that are alike acceptable to all parts
of the country. Ayowing free trade,
It's representatives dispute the republi-
can theory that everything that can be
successfully produced in this country
should receive tariff protection to the
extent Of the difference in wages be
tween Europe and America, yet, 1t is
free trade for their neighbotS, and not
for themselves, that they want. There
Is not democrat in congress who is
not an ardent advocate of free trade
as regards every interest except the
particular ones that he represents.
Thus, the honorable senator from
Louisiana cares nothing for coal-lct it
li.,t. 1,ri M Hnnnn1S
tariff protection for sugar; the honor
able senator from Maryland Is MOI
concerned about sugar-put 1t on the
free list; but he insists that coal must
be protected; the honorable, the junior
senator from New York, is consistent
ly democratic in his treatment of coal
and sugar; he believes In free trade
as to them, Tut ne is ultra republican
In his claims for high protective duties
upon collars and cuffs. Only the hon
orable senator's from Wisconsin fail 20
find occasion to exert themselves III be
half of any home interest, pine land eX-
cepted.
I'm this way, the democratic cou-
gress has been for months playing Il
royal game of tennis with the tariff
tossing 1t from senator to senator,
from committee to committee, from
house TO house while commerce, manu-
features and trade have been forced
to look idly on with the beggarly sat
isfaetion of knowing that, after the
honorable gentlemen became tired OF
their game, American Industries VIII
have to swallow the ball and that the
pil will be none the less bitter by rca-
SOM OF its sugar coating,
meanwhile tho change, which dem
ocracy promised. has come; confidence
has been changed into doubt; security
into fear; prosperity into adversely,
and thrift into waste; two years ago
people organized for the promotion OF
commercial and manufacturing enter
prise; today they organize for the re-
lief of the poor.
"If the administration of national al
| fairs has been characterized by wan
ton disregard of honorable precedents,
the administration Of our state affairs
will be remembered chiefly by its crea-
ton Of presidents. For the first time
In the history of the state, the chair
man of the dominant political party
is seen openly debating the acts OF
both branches of the legislature. The
people Of the state of Wisconsin con
ycned In senate and assembly were
there merely us matter of form; FOR
standing In the halls of legislation IKE
a nickel-in- the slot devise, no law was
allowed to be enacted that failed to
pass through the machine and receive
the stamp of Its approval.
Facts such as this constitute the
history OF Wisconsin democracy: they
arc embodied In Il roster that Is Inc
most interesting obituary of poht
teal party that has ever been written.
THE mana cement Of the delicat,
questions arising between capital ant
labor, can be entrusted only TO INT
grand old party that for almost ior'N
years has headed every great pohtiea
reform: that accords to every MAJ
equal rights and protection under 'h'
law. and that forbids all attacks upol