The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-05-09

TIE ps-osrsey 81 Thss State RsF.sss ts
surrs. Ger - Ce-.vaisu-A Noble Protest.

Surresse e. Com.unism-A Noble Protest.
rss- q. Es- Bspra E.rrt-s Rzts-.
II IL sound as q general proposition that the
political organization OF the States partic-
pating must abide BY the deliberate judgment
Of q national party convention. Otherwise the
principle OF secession is still in force. with Its
Inevitable results In the form OF party disor-
ganization and individual distress What
Federal Congress does, whether as the
achievement OF compromise or conviction. in
defiance OF the orders OF q National Conven-
ton reinforced By popular approval. not only
need not lie accepted as party obligation. but
should not he. Congresses are elected to
carry out the will OF the people. not to substi-
tute their own will for It. These two PROPOSE.
tions are TO be kept clearly in mind in de-
termining whittier the present Congressional
leadership IL carrying the Democratic party.
and whether It 10 wise for the several State or
Ranizations to follow that leadership. The
difference 10 exactly the difference between
victory and defeat
The National Democratic Convention was
explicit In its tariff utterancss. 1t declared
n tariff for protection only. which disreGards
revenue. to he unconstitutional. as we'll as a
fraud and delusion. 1t was not scientific
declaration In the sense Of recommending a
schedule Of percentages. but q concise declar-
alton Of a principle. 1t properly restricted it,
self to staten ent OF principle. expecting q
Democratic Administration to shape it's legis-
lation in absolute obedience to IL. That is
to-day the guiding principle OF Democratic
tariff reform. so far as responsible party COM
mands 90.
The first departure from the instructions
given By the Democratic national organiza.
tion was made By President Cleveland himself
when he recommended In his annual m MESSAGE
tax upon incomes derived from corporate in.
vestments. There was no authority for this
recon ndation either In any ofIlcial utter
ance OF the national Dem ocratic party or In its
most remote traditions. 1t was purely gra-
tuitous contribution to tho agitation for re-
form. A second departure was taken when
the Ways and Means Committee OF the House
OF Representatives reported a deficiency in
stead Of Revenue Tariff bill. and included In
1t its arbitrary construction Of President Cleve-
lands gratuitous income tax recommended
ton. This departure was ratified. in the full
bloom OF its Inconsistency. by the House ma
jority. third departure from explicit in
struction has now been taken by the Senate.
The question now becomes what are the
several States OF tho Union to do about II
What especially is Connecticut to do about 1t
For years this little state has divided with
New York. New Jersey. and Indiana the honor
OF being the Northern and Eastern stronghold
been powerful In the councils OF the party;
her influence has teen felt In the sha ping OF
official utterances; her preferences have been
weighty In selecting Presidential standard
bearears; her loyalty to Dem ocratio traditions
and Democratic principles has carried dismay
into the camp OF the enemy. Is Connecticut
ready to surrender it's convictions and its
honor to the irresponsible compromises OF
men. who have defled the order OF the people?
Is Connecticut Democracy so con instituted that
for the sake Of temporary advantage and de-
lusive harmony, 1t will accept as Its creed e.
tariff faith that was never preached from a
Democratic pulpit. and which is almost who'll
o policy OF accidents? Is It inclined to stand
by the flag that brought 1t victory. or to de-
sert 1t for one that presages defeat2 IT'S use
loss to attempt to beg the question: the part
ing OF the ways Is abrupt. Either the Con-
necticut Democracy must burn its bridges be-
hind 1t and take it's leadership from Congress-
or it must be true to its history and take its
leadership from the people officially and
formally assembled.
The present national leadership is leading
US away from the tried and accepted standards
OF Democracy. 1t Is leading us into an I'M
holy combination with the cranks aud whizz-
bulbs OF tho Populst party. The Democracy
OF Connecticut should protest against this al
lance. at the cost II necessary of temporary
deieat-yes. oven of prem editatsd seli-im-
posed defeat. The income tax Is but n sug-
gestion OF the fatal errors an alliance with
Populism will carry the Democracy into. 1t Is
but the inch conceded to the ell that will be
demanded Tho renunciation must be made
now. when the orders OF the last National Con-
yention are ringing In our ears. The situation
rises above internal factional quarrels: above
the ambition Of deserving men. 1t concerns
the vitality ofthe party. its power for good In
the future. its respect for Its own traditions.
II We are on the threshold OF reorganization.
which seems to be true. let the reorganization
proceed along the lines OF old-fashioned
Democracy, not along tho lines OF new
fashioned Populism. Lot us stick to jefferson
here in Connecticut no matter what States
Join the rabble Of Coxey's following for after
all Coxey Is but tho full fruitaGe OF the Popu-
list idea that tho business OF tho Government
is to support the people. The Democratic idea
Is that 1t Is the business OF the people to sup
port the Government.