The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-25

Inc Chicago convention will, OF
course, be expected 10 formally in
Gorse the economic record of the pres
ent administration. This win be an
exceedingly bitter pill for some OF our
democratic friends TO swallow. But
they viii be forced to take their own
medicine 1t viii be an especially
nauseouS dose TO those who have de-
nouDced the tariff policy of the ad-
Ininistration as not only an abandon
nlent of the historic doctrines and prin-
clpies OF their party, but also direct
betrayal OF the confidence Of the peo-
| pie. Senators German. Vest, Morgan
and others of equal, II not greater. in
fuence in party councils, will find it
extremely difficult to sincerely, or even
seriously, indorse a tariff law for the
sake Of indicating a president who
publicly characterized it as an act OF
''perfidy and dishonor."
1t is unQuestionably true that the
Democratic party is hOpelessly divided
on the question. A Democratic vote
! on this issue, free from restraint by the
bosses, would, we believe, result in a
large majority for protection in some
form, as the necessary policy for the
United States. But they will not have
an opportunity TO express their private
judgment, within party lines, and con-
sequently their only hope of getting on
the right side of this vital issue is in
identifying themselves with the politi-
cal party which stands four-square"
with every great civic problem and
national policy, affecting the complex
private and public interests of the peo-
pie, irrespective of sectional and frac-
tional consideration. They are now
fully convinced of the fallacious and
dangerous character of the economic
theories which have proved so destruc-
tive to the general welfare, when re-
duced to practical operation. The ex-
perience Of the last three years, espe-
cially the last two. has been severe
test Of Democratic pride and cOmplac-
epcy.
d
theory and practice in such matters.
The Democrats have always been bril-
liant architects of air castles They
deserve acknowledged prominence in
the construction of theories. But when
they are called to assume the response
bility of affirmative and practical leg
iSlation, then they lose the courage of
their convictions and their fine spun
filmy as a spiders web. So long as
they are free from all the obligations
of Office. they are fiercely courageous
in debating the policies of the govern
ment Conceit may pass for wisdom
until 1t is put to the test. Power un-
tried may seem unlimited. Darius
Green had unbounded faiin in his fly
Ing machine; but his breaking fall
froIn the top Of his fathers barn some
what shook his confidence in his boast
ed ability to Geiy grayitation. A man
weighing go pounds may imagine that
be can cross q yawnIng chasm on q
plank able 10 support only a hundred
pounds weight; but in the act of cross
ing he is apt to meet with practical
demonstration not at all tarteriny to
his vanity.
Before The last national eless'oa, AMI
all through the campaign lead;aE up to
it, the democrats never wearied in
their declamatory denunciations of the
protective tariff. They were in earnest
and seemed to be sincere. But this
was before the election. Unexpectedly
placed in control Of national affairs,
and called to assume the responsibility
of national legislation, they suddenly |
turned dOugh-faced and double-faced, |
and never an honest word have they !
spoken on the tariff from that day to !
this. BraZen self-aSsertion and fam |
boyant defamation soon gave place to |
hesitation, yacillation and perturba- |
ton With bullying eyeballs they read |
upon the wall a message of startling |
significance. The mystic characters |
began to spell out their dreadful mean |
ing In debts, deficits, disasters and sue
ceSsive defeats eliminating in the dis |
grace and diSintegrati ton OF their party. !
Under these conditions the Demo |
cratic leaders soon realized that TO /
carry out their free trade program of !
"wiping out American protection as
unconstitutional" and "a robbery Of
the people" was to commit political
suicide. From that time the Demo
cratic situation has grown daily worse
Debts have swollen; deficits have in
revenues have dwindled; i'm
ports Rave augmented and exports
have diminished, crippllng, and In
many cases, paralyzins domestic in
dustries and throwing thousands Of
American laborers out of useful and
employment Finally.
the hitherto fra foundations OF ma
tional prosperity have given way, and
patriotic citizens OF OF: parties and
sections demand a return to the Re
publican policy As the condition of a
revival OF the old-time prosperity.
No wonder that the Democratic nom
nation for the presidency hangs in
suspense. The foremost Democrats Of
the country take no pains TO conceal
their disgust and distrust- Dems-
gogy and cxrediency have superseded
principle and patriotism. Party prom
ISes and platform pledges have been
thrown 10 the winds The Democratic
party Is dead. The result OF the No
election VIII drive the nails
INTO its cotin-lid. And then the fu-