New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-02
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARTIES

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARTIES
The lesson Of the present year. to one who
studies the philosophical aspect Of politics. Is OF
intense importance. There are many who nave
sincerely believed that different parties were all
alike. VARYING only in the general trend Of opn-
ion regarding public policies, but not In any
radical way separated in respect to integrity
patriotic feeling or capacity for the work OF
Government. If this view were correct. as so
many believe. it was right for them to favor
the party which professcd to move In nearest
accord with their IDEAS even though in many
respects they distrlsted it, But there were also
others who were attached to the Democratic
party because its declared purposes were IN mar
mony with their own convictions. and they had
faith that in the matter OF tariH leglsia'ion ""u
tho treatment Of monopolles, at all events. 1t
would benefit the country so greatly 'ha' sho't
comings in other particulars could DE pardoheu
TO both Of these classes the events OF the year
have brought definite revelation. Considering
first the question OF fidelity TO great aims IL has
,o no admitted that the Congress which has just
adjourned covered the Democrats WIN COZ"
fusion. because 1t was untrue to every Demo
cratic idea or conviction ana soid out ihoie
shameessly than any preceding congress vi
either party TO the oppressive monopoii's WHY"
II had been expected TO uproot- 1his was ho'
an accident The party owed It's power 10 TWO
radically antagonistic forces: to tie pian'a'oh
interests of the South, essentially agricultural
and ignorant Of modern industries ana 'h'''
needs. and to the ignorant vote Of certain Nor'h-
ern cities composed entirely Of workineineh
whose very livelihood depended upon the mainte
nance Of industrial prosperity. What the SCUM
orn theorists wanted the Northern worklngmen
could not grant without selfdestruction. ana so
II came 70 pass that the representatives OF the
Southern interests like Mr.. Wilson get franuc
with ipdipnotion because Senators from North
or, cities and manufacturing centres refused 10
carry out the pledges Of the party. 10 90 10
was death TO them. and they knew H.
This rreconcllable difference OF interest
brought out In the strongest Light the caiouS
and constituencies cynicism OF the party leaders
and the shameless corruption OF many meh'pers'
A conflict which threatened the success Oh 'iic
Marty ouickly made II clear that the Democracy
could not count upon the hdeh'! VI
ma iori,v Of It's members in either house
for antagonism 10 corruption. Ever! hc''.
ocratic Senator save one DilhdI! po"ni
himself to vote for measures when he
considered dishonest and Infamous, because ho
other could be passed by the party Inc major
itv of Democrats in the House caucus yofcd 10
accent without the slightest change The most
shameless measure party had ever passed.
with all It's absrrdi,ics and mistakes perfectly
realizing that ii was humiliatng and dissraccful
70 members Of the Holsc personally ana sure
to be ruinous TO the party, because II wonld
give individual members Il little better chance OF
election in certain Southern and Western dis
tricts Talk of corruption-thc naked and I'M
checked bribery Of Senators was not one WHIT
more dishonorable than the votes OF represent
ativcs against their convictions and the inter
ests of their party. to help their personal chances
In the net result have the most incompe-
tent and indecent Congress ever known IN thls
country. by he universal admission OF us
friends But it can no longer be said that par
ties are on a level in this respect. Republicans
were divided in opinion in 1870, but their WORK
was vigorous clean. honest and far-slghted. The
ablest and best end Of the party ruled. when
the other party has the power the most IN
capablc indecent and dishonest get the upper
hand, and the party itself, for party's sake, con-
SCENTS 10 wear handouts at the dicta'ion OF It's
worst elements.