New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-28
BRANDED BY HIMSELF.

The President for the first time since he sent
n substitute to the war has sneaked out or MS
obligations to the country. He has not signed
the German BILL bur his responsibility for It's
enactment cannot be shirkcd by his neglect TO
veto IT, as he was morally bound TO do AFTER
writing the Wilson letter of July 2. His fellow
citizens will not think any the better OF MN
for this contemplate effort to save his dignity
and to cvade his public duty.
In the Wilson letter the President SAID
Every true Democrat and every sincere tarlh
''reformer knows that this bill In It's present
form, and as it will be submitted to the con
ference falls far short Of the contamination Tor
(which we have long laborcd, for which we have
suffered defeat without Encouragement, which
''n its anticipation gave lis rallying cry III
"o,lr day of triumph. and which In Its promise
''of accomplishment IS SO interviewer with Dem
"ocratic pledges and Democratic success that
our abandonment Of the cause OF the principles
upon which 1t rests means party pcrfdy ana
party dshonor" The President by his neglect
10 veto the bill arragns himself before the
American people. He pleads guilty 10 the
charge If abandoning the cause OF which II"
has been the leader. He brands himself with
the shameful and degrading words, ''pcridy
and "dishonOr."
In the same Wllson letter the President con
tended with great force that this question Of
free raw material does not admit Of adjust
'mcnt on any middle ground. since their sub
lection 10 any rate ~ tariff taxation. great or
small. Is alike yiolItiyc II Democratic prln-
"clplc and Democratic good faith. Continuing
with characteristic fcryor and carncsiness. he
remarked: 1T must be admitted that no tnrin
measure can accord With Democratic principles
and promises or bear genuine Democratic
badge that does not provide for free raw ma
'ierial In the circumstances II may well excite
our wonder that Democrats are willing to de
part from this. IN" most Democratic OF all
tariff principles. and that the inconsistent alb
"surliiy Of such 4 proposed departure should
'bc emphasized hy the suggestion that the wool
'of the farmer be put on the free list and The
protection Of tariff taxation be placed around
the iron ore and coal of corporations and cap
'italists. How can we face the people after in
'dulging in such outrageous determinations and
violations Of prnciplcsW In allowing Demo
cratic principles 10 be compromised. and In con
doning this breach OF party faith, the President
turns his back upon the people whom he does
not dare 10 face. How can h. look any honest
American citizen in the eyes after ''nduging
''n such outrageous determinations and viola
lions Of princplcs"i
In the same Wilson letter the President de-
scrbcd the Democracy a. pleading for the
speedy completion OF tariff legislation. but rs
demanding not less earnestly that no stress Of
necessity shall tempt those they trust to the
abandonment OF Democratic principles" Mark
how completely the President has cut himself
off from apology or defence in those words. mo
stress Of necessity" He has allowed a bill in
vovng according to his own deliberate con-
fcsslon cowardly abandonment Of principles TO
become n law, when he has described the De
mocracy Of the land as pleading with those
whom they trust TO resist The temptation 10 do
exactly what he has done Under no stress OF
necessity" ought the President 10 have placed
himself in so humiliating and dshonorabe 4
position.
Who will ever again say that President Cleve-
land Is either courageous, or consistent. or hon
orablc IN his public relations, or In any respect
better than bis party?