New-York tribune., 1896-01-24
4 nG4ME OE POLITICS."

II nleoses some Democrats and some silver
men TO say that the Tariff bill now pending Is
nothing but game OF politics. Very weh'
gentlemen: please to take notice. II you nave
that impression. that it is particularly good
game and likely to win The bill ought TO be
passed. inadequate as it cOnfessedly Is, because
the Republicans are bound TO supply adequate
revenue for the Government If they can. But II
it should be defeated by the Democrats ana the
few silver men who are pleased TO act as their
catspaws what do you think the people Will
have TO say about ii next November? What VIII
they say about closed mills and idle working
men? What will they say about inflated i'm
ports of goods huge undervaluations and enor-
nous exports of gold? What will they say about
the policy, falling little short Of reasonable,
which leaves the Nation to face possibilities of
foreign war or dishonor with revenue some
what from S5OOOOOOO to $1OoOO0OOO short Of
current expenses: Just cipher this out, MessrS
Democrats and Assistant Democrats, and see
what the ma jorities are likely 10 be next NO
vember in Northern States east of Nebraska.
1t suits these gentlemen 10 shut their eyes 10
all the facts about them. and TO dcafcn counsel
with the cry that the tariff has nothing TO do
with the depressed condition of business Tell
that story 10 the voters next November, gentle
men Let them hear from Senator Teller. as the
Senate head Wednesday. that the mines and
factories ard mills would all be opened ana
prosperously running. in spite Of the enormous
importaiions Of foreign goods. If there were only
plenty of silver dollars which nobody wants.
Tell them that the market for woollen goods, OF
which foreigners have captured about 60 per
cent would be as brisk and large as ever if only
we could have more money. Tell them these
fairy tales and then get their answer in Noycm-
Der ballots.
Men who like 10 cheat themselves whenever
it happens 10 suit their theories labor under one
great disadvantage They imagine that the
average American voter is an ass. They Halter
themselves that the stupidities with which they
befool their own minds Will bcfool him also.
Wearing mental binders. they suppose thar the
average American voter can see no more than
they can. But the voter aforesaid has what
they lacli-plan common sense. lie knows
wheI, his mill Is stopped. and his wages also, by
foreign competition, that it is not monetary
theory which takes away his livelihood. Rail at
him. laugh at him If you like. Messrs. Democrats
and Assistant Democrats. but his ma joriiics
agains; you in the States between the Nebraska
horler and the Atlantic in 1894 were G2. AZ,
and will be bigger if YOU so vote as 10 rob him
Of prosperity for another year. and nj the same
time expose the Nation to dshonor besides.
II the Republican party were playing poll
tics" Il would have passed in the House model
protective tarIG-iust ;he Kind of tariff to slim
ulae industries To the utmost. ana Just the kind
which ignorance in the Senate and in the White
House would defeat. 1t was infinitely more
patriotic and therefore infinitely wiser in the
end. to pass in the House "A measure which no
Senator having an atom of patriotism in his
composition can afford 10 vote against and
which 1t would ruin any President 10 veto at Il
time when he was engaged in appearing f. in
viic a foreign war. The men in power are 50
dull that they have not yet caught the idea that
the House Tariff bill is the one conclusive test
Of the Americanism which they 50 loudly vaunt.
If they mean business al all, they know that
sufficient revenue must be raised without de-
Law. Worry with that problem. McssrS. Demo
crafts and Assistant Democrats. and you will
find that whoever else may be playing poll
tics" with practical commonscnse, you are not.