The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-05-26
DOCTOR GORMAN's DIAGNOSIS OF
HIS TARIFF PATIENT.

Convention assembled at Chicago in
1902, and nominated Mr.. Cleveland
for the Presidency, it placed him on
platform that denounced protection
as unconstitutional and a IraHa.
This platform was an honest and
unequivocal declaration in favor OF
free trade, and Gree Trade for
Free Country was the motto en-
blazoned on every Democratic ban
ner in that campaign.
But Mr.. Cleveland, having shrewd
ness enough to see, that the great
industrial interests of this country,
which had been built up and devel,
oped under a protective system,
would take alarm at so urmistakable
a declaration OF hostility to them,
,ebudlated the Chicago platform,
and made one for himself declaring
in his letter OF acceptance. that tarW
reform was, to use a slang phrase,
the correct Democratic 'racket" and
that no exterminating war against
American industries was intended.
This superb assumption on the
part of Mr.. Cleveland, while often
sive to at least two thirds alike of
the leaders and voters of his party,
sufficiently alIayed the apprehen-
sions ofthe industrial element OF the
country to secure his election.
When Congress assembled how
ever, the popular Dem ocratlc dis
approval of Mr.. Cleveland's course
at once showed itself.
On the silver question, even, his
party deserted him, and but tor
Republican support, the repeal o
the silver purchasing clause OF the
Sherman bill never could have been
accomplished by the Administration.
On the tariff issue, the same differ
ences appeared, and the free traders
of the lower House, snubbed the
"cuckoos" of the administration, and
passed the Wilson bill by large
majority, the first step toward the
REDEMPTION of the party pledge
made at Chicago.
But when the Wilson bill reached
the Senate, it at once met the stub
born opposition of coterie of Demo
cratic Senators who at heart are
protectionists.
OF these protectionists, MIR. Cor
man is at once the shrewdest and
the best.
Besides, he is the pilot of the
Democratic Steering Committee of
the Senate, a cool, clear headed and
self. contained adviser in the councils
of his party.
He saw Democratic unity imperilled
by the Populists in the South and
West, by Mr.. Cleveland's attitude on
the silver question, and equally threat
ened in the East by the immlnence OF
free trade, as embodied in the Wilson
Bill, backed besides by an unpopular
income tax concession to the Populists.
His prominent position in the Senate,
and his innate ability as political
compromiser, easily favored the
formulation of a compromise tariff
bill, that faces both ways, that is
not too fair but just fair enough to
protection Democrats in the North
and East, and not too honest but just
honest enough towards Democratic
free traders IN the South and West-to
save their votes to the Democratic
party, and avert the pending peril at
the hands of the Populists on the one
hand, and the industrial and wage
earning classes of the country on the
other.
In defence of his compromise" bill,
Mr.. German made an effective and
able speech on Wednesday.
There is no use Disgusting the fact,
that it was shrewd and torcible
delivery, and will tend towards har-
monizing his party, not only in the
Senate but in the country.
OF course Mr.. German treads in
Mr.. Cleveland's footsteps and repu-
dates the Chicago platform.
The Senator knows too well, that
party platforms are at best mere CATCH
a0oyds, to be brushed aside as rubbish
when party success is in jeopardy.
His speech is very readable, and
contains very neat and incisive thrusts
at his "party" organs which on account
of his ''peculiar" views on protection,
have amused themselves as well as
others, by reading him out OF the
Democratic party.
Viewed with reference to its pur-
pose-harmonizing his partY-Mr
Germans speech is the most notice.
able one yet delivered on the Demo-
cratic side, but has little value in any
reliable indication it contains, as to
what basis American industries will