Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-05-18
WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH 1T?

In the rapid march OF events and the agi-
tation caused by the passage of the Nc
Kinley bill, the true position OF the Demo
cratic party upon the tariff question seems
TO have been overlooked by most Of those
who have undertaken to discuss the present
situation in Congress. And this condition
has been favorable to the conservative"
Democratic Senators, who seem TO think
that any Modification Of the schedules OF
the Mckinley act, without regard to prin'
ciple, ought to be acceptable to the country
as the fulfillment OF Democratic pledges.
This is very far from being the case, how
ever. The specific declarations of the Dem
ocratic party upon the tariff question were
made three years before the Mckinley bill
became law. The direct assault of Mr.
Cleveland's message OF December, 1887, was
made upon the tariff act OF 1888, and the
Mills bill of 1888, passed by the House Of
Representatives, aimed TO correct the mani
fest injustice and burdens of that law. The
Mckinley bill was logical step towards
prohibitive duties all along the line, which
was the ultimate aim and purpose of the
Republican party. But the technical re-
peal of that act, with slight reduction of the
duties imposed by it, would utterly fail TO
crafty the demands of the Democratic
masses of the country, and to relieve the
business depression which was predicted,
before the Mckinley bill was formulated, as
the inevitable result of the tariff act Of 1888.
And this makes all the more glaringly in
consistent and treacherous the attitude OF
the few Democratic Senators who have I'M
dertaken to dictate TO the party in this grave
matter. All this political history was per
fectly well known TO them. They had been
part of the party council, nay, of the inner
ambiguous and half hearted declarations
were rejected, as they should have been,
they were bound by all the precedents and
by honor to abide by the decision of the
majority III W fv~-~ 49, party. They know
now that II the majority in UUpgrUso p,--~
the tariff bill with all the amendments sub
mitted by the conservatives" the Demo
cratic party will be placed in false position,
because such law would be quite as OBJ.
jectionable as the Republican tariff of 1853
in some particulars, and much more objec
tionable in others They would have their
party occupy position which distinctly
recognizes the principle of protection, and
commit itself to schedules which it for years
denounced as Ubiquitous in themselves and
bighting in their effect upon the welfare of
the country.
And the party is confronted by the grave
question, "What shall we do about it ?"-
Shall we repudiate the principles for which
We have commended for years, or shall we re
pudiate the men who so basely betray their
trust? For ourselves, we sincerely hope the
House of Representatives will not yield
hairs breadth, wherever matter of prin.
ciple is involved The Democratic party is
fighting for great and good cause, and its
rank and file are true as steel to all it en-.
listed To accomplish. Let the conservative"
Senators, if they choose to, take the respon
sibiliiy OF continuing the Mckinley law ia
force, but they should not be permitted to
compromise the dignity and honor of the
party. 1t has great and glorious future,
If il remains true TO its principles defeat
and disaster await it, If it proves slavish /,
the political boss and recreant to principle.
Let 1t at least go to the country acquitted of
treason TO itself