The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-10-03
BUREAU OF THE SENTINEL,
WASHINGTON. D. c., Sep

WASHINGTON. D. c., Sept. 80.
Two months ago. when congress was
still engaged in the great task of revis-
ing the tariff and the oldest political
prophets were shaking their heads du-
biously whenever asked what the result
Of the struggle would be, there seemed
to be a gloomy outlook for the demo-
cratic party in the campaign that was
to succeed the adjournment of congress.
At that time the contest between the
great mass OF the democratic representa-
tives Of the people on the one hand and
the small clique of so-called "cOnserva-
tiVeS" on the other assumed an apparent
importance that caused many among the
bravest TO shrink with apprehension from
the task of reconciling the differences
and attempting to lead the apparently
divided forces to victory against an
enemy that was united in an endeavor
to perpetuate a gigantic robbery.
1t was at this time that the republican
leaders We're rejoicing in the anticipation
of an easy victory They believed then
that there would be no course for the
democrats to pursue except to endeavor
to apologize for what they had done. In
this view the republican campaign was
mapped cut almost before congress had
adjourned, and their literature was de-
signed to meet the supposed apologize
tOlliltlbl vi Liltll dNN tI9etLltS.
Real Work OF Congress.
For some little time after the final dis
position OF the tariff question this atti-
tude was kept by both parties. But at
length the democratic leaders. having
left the internal strife in the back ground.
began to consider the strength of their
position and 70 reflect on the amount of
work that had really been done by the
congress. They We're fairly amazed at
the retrospect. They saw that one OF
the greatest legislative victories of the
age had been won. when the democratic
party overthrow the combined mOnOpo-
listic capital Of the tariff benefciaries.
They saw, too, that the oppressive and
inequitable federal elections law had
been repealed and the people allowed to
conduct their own affairs.
About this time the people, too, began
to awake to the fact that the work of the
democratic administration and congress
had been greatly moderated. They
learned that the two principal acts of the
party were OF more benefit than had at
first been supposed. while the repeal of the
Sherman act, the taxation Of greenbacks,
the antitrust legislation. the economy in
expenditures and the imposition of the in-
come tax were of vast importance to their
welfare. Just as they began to realize this
the lowering Of values In the line of many
necessaries of life the opening Of factories
consequent upon the repeal Of the blight
ing Mckinley law and a general improve
ment in the tone of business arrived to
impress the lesson upon them.
These things caused a decided and sur
prising change in the attitude of the two
parties. Before that the republicans had
been the aggressOrs, doing all the attack
ing while the opposition was gathering its
forces. Suddenly tie tide Of battle
turned From being inclined to be
auo1aonffp in their u1n3fon the 6aunOrr1 -
suddenly became bod and aggressive,
beating back the attacks of their adj
versaries and assuming the offensive.
Assurances Received.
From all parts Of the country the demo-
cratic congressional committee receives as
surances that this is the attitude of the
party They are no longer fearful. They
are not divided or inclined to criticise con-
gress or the administration because
greater measure Of the reform they de-
manded was not given them But they
realize that only part Of the battle has
been fought and that another determined
assault must be made before the pr0tec-
tive ideas viii receive. its quietus in this
country and the principle Of tariff for rev.
enue only will be adopted.
The effect of this change of base has
been to throw the republicans everywhere
into a state Of confusion. While the demo-
Gratis stand on the principle of tariff for
revenue, all the leaders agreeing on this
and the rank and ft.e determined to fight
for 1t. the republican leaders are divided
on the issue. Among all the prominent
men Of the party there is not one who
has yet come cut squareiy on the issue
and defined the attitude of the party in
case it should again be returned to power;
so that the voters may not know whether
to look for a re-enactment of the robber
schedules OF the Mckinley bill, something,
more drastic or something more mild
In order to conceal the weakness Of
this position. which places the party in
the open field with no general and no
rallying point, it has been noticed that
throughout the country the stump-speak-
ers are making frantic Appeals for the
suffrage in order that business may be
able to resume Its wonted activity with
out being subjected to another period Of
uncertainty. But this argument is being
met with another that is proving very
impressive 10 the business men.
The history of tariff legislation will
show that no protective tariff has ever
been devised or adopted that suited the
whole people or showed any signs OF be-
ing able to form a permanent basis on
which TO build the business interests of