Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1894-09-06
The Republican View.

Republicans are charged with parii-
sanship in urging the President to veto
the Tariff oil. In reality they are
practically Indifferent, so far as the
political effect of his action is concerned
whether he signs or yetoes it II he
signs it thev will use his Wilson letter
as 8 campaign document in the fall
elections, convict him of inconsistency
and cowardice end arraign the Demo-
cratic party on his testimony OF perhdy
aud dishonor. If he vetoes it thew will
point to the collapse of tariff legislation
after two years Of turmoil as signal
proof of Democratic lncapacity and
folly, Either a craven surrender 10
CORNISH and the Trusts or a right
eous veto of an un-Democratic and cor
rupt measure will furnish base for
destructive Republican criticism and
aggressive operations against the party
in power in the autumn. Whether the
bill be signed or vetoed, the Republic
cans will carry the next Congress sional
elections by sweeping majorities. The
President may damage his own reputa-
ton irretrieyably by sanctioning bill
which he has denounced in unmeaS-
ured terms. He cannot rescue his
party from defeat by compromising
with bis own conscience.
Ii Republicans exclude oil considera-
tons except selfish partisan advantage,
they will prefer, on the whole,
to have the President sign the bill.
That will complete the humiliation and
disgrace of Democracy. The Senate
has bargained with the Trusts, sur
rendered to powerful Hobbies and
abandoned party pledges and princi-
pies. The House has ratified this
sordid and cowardly compact, and,
MIR Wilson being the witness. has
been guilty OF beiraying constitution
al trust in allowing the Senate to legis.
late on the tariff There is nothing
left of Democratic principles and poll
cies except the Presidents manly pro-
test in the Wilson letter against treason
and dishonor, and his own reputation
for courage and consistency. If he
signs the bill or allows it to become a
law without his formal consent, moth
ing will remain OF the tariff reform
cause except fading "reminiscences Of
Senator Hills vigorous light for prin-
ciple and good faith. The President
will be a spent force in American poll
tics. The issue which he created will
have become 5yword and reproach.
Our Democratic friends have only to
put themselves in the place Republicans
and they will understand this prefer
enee on party grounds for the signing
of the bill. The Administration as well
as the Democratic Congress will then
be equally discredited in the sight OF
the people on the eve of the elections;
and the German tariff will remain in
operation until the Presidential cleo
items, enriching monopolists, stimuls-
ting foreign industries and sealing
down the earnings of American work
men Republicans could not have
better issue than this scandalous and
unpopular tariff. which is repudiated in
advance by tariff reformars and the
Democratic party, and branded by the
President as betrayal of party
pledges.
But Republicans. while they will
welcome on party grounds the Presi-
dents ssnction of the bill as an act of
and dishonor, are
capable of taking patriotic and
sesne view of the situation.
They believe that veto will be the
best thing that can happen for the in.
dustrial and commercial interests of
the Nation. the cause of honest legisla.
ton and the political fortunes and
fame OF the President. Democratic |
corruptionists in the Senate and craven
faint hearts in the House have earned
the rebuke which be alone can admins !
ter to them. The atmosphere of public
life would be purified by a statesman
like veto on the lines of the Wilson