The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-09
The DEMOCRATIC PRESS.
Wednesday, Jan. ., 1895
Theory and Practice.

Theory and Practice.
1t is favorite practice, and very largely
a successful one among Republican oracles,
TO assiduously rehearse into the ears of their
followers the ancient fallacy of demagogic
origin, that political theory and political
demonstration are incompatible with each
other. In other words, that political cause
and political effect do not necessarily sustain
any logical relation, and that theory may
be correct, but owing to conditions and
necessities" its application would be il
logical or contradictory. Theories, they say
are illusive; it Is practical experience" !"
that we want. That is, the premises of
proposition may all be true, and the r1gI t
principles applied for its correct solution IL
theabstract, but by reason of environment"
or the national estate" or dozen othel
mysteries peculiar to the realm, its Q. E. D.
is something entirely at variance with the
immuiable truths involved in the process OF
its own demonstration!
The philosophy of practical politics" is
never-ending theme of these cunning cas-
uists who parade before their credulous ad-
mirers as uncrowned kings.
They admit the integrity and logic OF an
economic theory, but with deliberate craft
and inconsistency, deny its efficacy when
applied to the subject matter which gave ii
BIRTH They have coined the atch-phrase
"theory chasers," applying it to tariff re-
formers and free traders generally, while
admitting the logical integrity of the very
theories they SO persistently traduce!
Unfortunately, such inventions find lodg.
ment in many minds entirely capable, by a
little independent thought, of recognizing
the specious nature of their contrlvance, BIT
from long habits of unrefectiye acceptance,
are unable to penetrate beyond the surface
of whatever these quibbling quacks see tit to
tell them, and which they regard, ipso facto,
as true and infallible.
But we do not fear intelligent contradic
ton when we say that true theory will i'll
the end be followed by exactly the results
embodied in the original enunciation. With
in the circle of political polemics, protection
extremists admit the efficacy of the free trade
theory, both from ethical and scientific stand
points. They deny, however, the ADVISABLE
ty or possibility of legislating along the lines
of what they concede to be reason in the
abstract. They yield ready assent to the
theory that fire is hot and will burn flesh b.
contact with it; that human hands are Of
flesh, and will therefore be burned if thrust
into the fire. And they acquiesce with equal
promputude in the logical identity of both
theory and practice, on making the physica
test OF the proposition. The theory was
true one, and therefore its application prov
ed it just as the application of any true the
ory will DO.
If the theories of free trade are correct
free trade is correct, and no amount of spe
cious mental legerdemain or practical expe
rience" will ever prove to the contrary.
True theory will always be borne out by
experience. If, on the other hand, the pro
tectionist can substantiate his peculiar in
stitution" by reference to the laws of natura
economies, his system is correct, and he il
right in his position. But this he does no
pretend to do! He admits the theory,
but denies the practice!
There is no such thing as right theory
and permanently resultant wrong. Con
versely wrong theory will never produce
abiding beneficial results. Legislation, wrong
in the abstract, is never justifable as al
avowed policy of permanent continuity. Al
soon as the emergency deemed as a tempo
rary justification, has passed every consid
Grafton of craftsmanship, equity and safety
demands a return to the normal provision
of the municipal code. Only pressing
emergency can ever apologize for law
however temporary in duration, at varianct
with the theories of normal political polity
Free trade is the natural estate of man
The liberty to trade when, where and will
whom one pIeases, without interference O.
burdensome restraint, is fundamental, anC
this theory is admitted by even the mos
Jealous "Chinese-wallers," who, however
deny it any right of consideration when it
application is suggested. Two and two ar
theoretically four with them, but "pract1c
ally" three, five, six, or any other numbe
that will "protect" the laborer, for who's
sake a tax is imposed on his articles of dali.
consumption.
We repeat and emphasize the reiteratiol
that permanent beneficial results never diC
and never can ensue from laws or system
at variance with true theories.
Correct theories lie at the base of ever,
correct achievement, and to seek to perpetu
ate commercial "boom" by entailing
system of increasing taxation on all posteri
ty, is species of political insanity associat
with that which denies to correct theorie
correct results.
The Republican party has reasoned agains
reason, ever since it's existence, on all i'm
portant subjects of National veal, persist
emily ignoring the difference between jus
tifable, temporary departure from the fxe
laws of political economy, and permanent
weaving into the constitutional fabric make
shift laws that ceased to be righteous whel
the cause of their enactment was removed
Temporary prosperity for the masses an
permanent elevation of the classes, has bee
the logical and inevitable trend of most G
the legislation for the past thirty years, fo
which the Republican party is responsible
1t is party of expediency, policy and il
competency, that in time would wreck tn
most favored realm in the universe.