The sun., 1894-09-20
Truth and Light.

The Democratic State Convention meets
at Saratoga on Tuesday next. We trust
that from beginning to end its proceedings
will be marked by wisdom, moderation,
sound Judgment and sincere American
patriotism; and above all we hope and pray
that truth and not lies may distinguish its
whole platform, and all its declarations.
or course, we refer especially to the sub
feet Of the tariff, and to the atrocious,
inquisitorial, and populistic income tax.
That tax has been foisted into the tariff
law by violation Of the Democratic nation
al platform, promoted and encouraged by
President CLEVELAND, Professor WILSON,
and Speaker CRISP, and other chosen leaders
Of the Democracy.
Respecting this whole subject, and re-
specting the relations and conduct Of these
leaders, the New York Democratic Conven-
tion has an indisputable right, IL not n
solemn duty, to express its judgment and
to proclaim its attitude; and 1t has an equal
right to withhold its judgment, and to say
nothing, IL the majority of its members
deem it prudent and advisable to adopt that
course. It Is not for us either to dictate or
petition concerning these points of party
policy; but there Is one point which we have
somc right to insist upon; and we appeal
earnestly to the Convention to see that
whatever it may say, or whatever 1t may
refuse to say, its controlling purpose shall
be in all cases and in all particulars to set
forth the truth, and nothing but the truth.
We do not mean by this the abstractly
true doctrine, the accurate and correct
theory and philosophy, about the tariff and
q La FnIA ta.n h., NnNsy
York Democracy IL competent TO form and to
maintain its own ideas on these questions
1t may adhere to the noble and much belied
declaration of the National Democracy that
the Federal Government has no constitu-
tional power to impose and collect tariff
duties except for the purpose of revenue
only; :" or it may reject that declaration. It
has authority to do the one or the other.
We only ask that whatever it does, 1t shall
frankly adhere to the truth. that IL shall say
honestly and manfully just what 1t means,
according to the facts as they really are.
Let IL tolerate no lying, no ifhposture Of
words or ideas, when it undertakes to deal
with this momentous subject. II the ma
jority of its members are for free trade, let
them say so without equivocation or am
biguity. II they are for protection, that is
to say, for only an undetermined modifca-
tion Of the Republican platform, why let
them say it, 30 that nobody can mistake
their purpose.
We plead for the full, undisguised, un-
masked truth in this thing, as in all other
things of politics. That, surely, is not too
much to ask from the State Convention Of
q great historic party; and less than that
the Convention cannot safely furnish.
So also with regard to the income tax
let us have the full truth. Does the Con-
vention favor the income taxi Then say so.
Is 1t against the income tax Then it is not
merely better to say so; it is necessary Do
you think it is fulfilment of the Demo
cratic pledge to give the country a tariff for
revenue only' Then say so, and be careful
to add the reasonsswhy it is fulilment.
DO you think it is a violation OF that pledge
Then say so like men and Democrats. Let
us have no humbug evasions, no false pre-
tence upon that subject.
Truth and Light! Grant these and you
need never doubt that the people will deal
with you justly.