Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-11-30
OUTLOOK OF THE DEMOCRATS.



So much for the past. OF what con-
sequence are the questions nov immi-
nent, and the position of the parties
now upon them. OF these tho most
important, no doubt, is the silver ques'
ton. Our country can adjust itself
to any kind of a tariff, but it neve: can
adjust itself to a dishonest dollar.
Fortunately the question has become
at last the subject CT constant and So
rious discussion. The people have put
on their thinking caps, and with char
acteristic carnestness and thorough
ness are going TO think the problem out,
and settle it permanently without eva
sion or compromise. Parties must
and will adopt themselves to this sit
uation. 1t is not difficult TO foresee
the course of the democratic party. Il
has on its hands a radical difference
of opinion and a ilrst-class fight. 1t
has had this before. 1t was divided
on the tariff question. 1t fought this
out within its ranks to Il right conclu-
sion, then it became stronger, united
and victorious. 1t never would have
made any progress if it had feared to
face the fight or halted because of dis
senters. 1t is now repeating that en-
perience. Everywhere it is debating
the silver question. The recent victor
les for sound money in Kentucky,
Iowa and Ohio show the effect of full
discussion and make ii certain that the
democratic party will not commit it
self to the silver heresy, nor weaken
its credit and standing by seeking har-
mony through compromise of prin-
ciple. Harmony will come, as it did in
the tariff, when the party, through
struggle, takes and o~bstinately holds Il
sound position. l confidently predict
that in '96 the democratic party, in
its national platform and candidate,
will stand for sound money, and will
oppose the free coinage of silver, Both
principle and expediency suggest this
course. 1t is in line with the tradi-
tons and past Of the party; with its
platforms and principles; with the
whole record of its administration, for
which it is responsible; with its own
action in opposing and repeating the
Sherman law; and with its devoted 10y
atty to n who for II years has been
the most conspicuous and valiant cham
pion of honest money and sound finance.
Any other course invites d~iscrcditable
defeat.
While the silver question is likely, In
the next campaign, to be uppermost in
the public mind, the tariff will, no
doubt, as in the past, be an issue be-
tween the parties and the subject OF
much discussion. Between the parties
there is n radical difference on the prin-
ciples involved, but just how impor-
tant the issue is to be depends largely
on the action of the republican congress
and national convention. The burden
rests upon that party. The democracy,
nfter n long contest over the tariff, has
passed a law which, though a very con.
sentative measure, is a long advance
in the right direction. Business and in.
dustrics have accepted it, and are con.
tented and prosperous under it. Dem
ocrats are anxious to give it the test o.
time and experience. Will the repub'
leans acquiesce in this, or do they pro.
pose to turn backward to Mckinley,
ism? Should they nominate McKinle,
without repudiating his tariff views
the tariff will at once become the vita
issue of the campaign. He represents
distinctly one idea. His nomination
would be a challenge to the country t,
return to a tariff policy which it ha'
defented and discarded. The demo
cratic party would gladly accept thu
challenge and fight the old battle owe
again; but this time it would hay,
with it the business interests. whicl
have adapted themselves to prcsen
conditions and demand a rest from
further tariff changes. The issue woul,
be between a fair trial of a successful
tariff and a return to n discredite.
policy.
One other question is likely to be NJ
important issue in the campaign
ramcly, the foreign policy of our coun
try. Until a comparatively recent dat,
there was substantial agreement tina
such policy should not be one Of con
quest or aggression, but should avoit
"cntan9ling alliances" and max,
! W%ashington's farewell words and tn
proper assertion Of the Monroe doctrin,
the bulwark Of national safety an,
honor. The San Domingo finsco o
Grants administration was believed t
have ended permanently any othc
: course. But recently republican lead
ers have revived a defeated and almos
forgotten jingoism, and proclaimed
policy of foreign interference and an
ncXation. BY annexation of the IL
waiian islands they would have tn
country try the experiment of govern
ing a distant, divided, foreign pcopl,
aud of assimilating them and their il
stitutions. By interference ut Same
they would involve us in entangling a
~liances with Germany and England
and in Il responsibility unusual and III
necessary. By assisting Nicaragua i
resisting payment of England's clair
and the English occupancy they woul
peryert the Monroe doctrine and cstal
lish a precedent which would force u
into the foreign quarrels OF every petit,
irresponsible republic of Central an
South America.
How far these views of r~cpublica
jingoists control and permeate til
party will be determined in its mex
convention. The democratic admin.
tration, in it's conduct of our foreig
affairs, has met constant, bitter crit
! eism, but has absolutely refused to d'
part from the traditional policy of on
country, and to involve her in novel an
everlasting foreign complications. !
J has not believed hat conquest or cole
I l.ial acquisition is conducive to he
strength or welfare, nor national hoI
, CT best upheld by tyranny over u fecbl
but friendly power. The republica
party may make an issue over tn
! democratic record. X so, n most in
! portant question Of far-reachin
I consequences will demand serious n
= tention. For one, | believe it wi
Z take much more than the buster {
! jingoism to persuade the people that
Z is wise, safe or patriotic to plunge on
country into the maelStrOm of intern,