New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-21
NOT A DEAD ISSUE.

NOT A DEAD ISSUE.
Come. let us reason together. The Tribune
is hearing almost every day from Democrats
who are saying: I'VE expect to vote for Nc
"K!nley, but it's q hard thing for us to do.
Pray, don't make 1t harder for us by bearing
down on the Democratic party opening old
differences, and INVITING us with what we
"have done in the past. And above all don't
talk about the tariff We don't believe in Pro-
"tectIon, and it gals us to he obliged to vote
"for a candidate who represents that economic
"heresy" This is perfectly natural, and so fur
ms The Tribune Is concerned. we can only re-
peat what we have said heretofore. that IN
welcoming Sound Money Democrats to the sup
port of Mckinley and Hobart we recognize the
fact broadly and fully that they are making
what seems to them to be choice OF evils:
that neither recantatlOn nor conversion is Sig
nfcd by their actor but that they continue
to be Democrats in the partisan sense. We are
under no illusions In that regard and we have
no disposition to set before Tribune readers
any view of the situation not in precise accord
with the facts.
And now, having set forth the attitude OF
Sound Money Mckinley Democrats as they
themselves wish to have 1t represented. let us
consider for q moment, with as much calmnesS
a. can be commanded In the discussion OF po-
ltica questions in the midst OF campaign,
the proposition that to avoid giving offence to
Mckinley Democrats we must refrain from any
discussion Of the tariff, which Is, after all, a
rather important issue in the pending election.
As to matters Of history, It may be admitted
that, in existing conditions, 1t Is not In good
taste to say the least, to thrust them forward
except when some cantankerOus person forces
them to the front, as for instance, Mr.. Theo-
dore Bacon lately did in giving rather unneces-
sary reasons for his rcpugnance to voting FOR
Republican candidate. AS to the tariff, 1t Is
different That has been for several years a
living issue and perhaps for the last eight years
the most distinctive issue upon which the two
great part es have divided. COncedng which,
of course we do-that Free-Trade Democrats
are rs sincere In their professions and as de-
voted to their beliefs as Protective Republicans
are to theirs, Is it quite reasonable to ask that
Republicans should sink out of sight an issue
upon which all Of them religiously believe that
the prosperity of the country and the wei are
OF the whole people depend because some OF
their opponents have evinced willingness to
vote the Republican ticket upon an issue which
they consider of higher Importance!
Granted, that the mOmentOus question as it
appears to-day IS whether the Federal Govern
ment Is to be committed to policy Of repudia-
ticn or is to pay one hundred cents in the dol
lar on its obligations, and that on that honest
men of all parties should stand together and
act In harmony, does it follow that In the in
tensity of interest aroused by the threat to our
National credit we should forget entirely that
we are confronted by an actual condition OF
the Treasury-which Is much more than q
threat-imperative)y demanding the serious
consideration of a fiscal policy to relieve us
from impending bankruptcy! True, the free
silver craze threatens the credit and honor OF
the Nation and 1t is the first duty Of the patriot
who holds his cOuntry's credit and honor as
the highest political consideration to merge
minor differences In q united and determined
effort to defeat It, But what about Treasury
condition which under existing revenue laws
Is falling behind day after day, and in time
of peace increasing the National debt at a
startling, II not alarming rate? Isn't that a
state of things that calls for consideration, and
for calm and reasonable discussion? Why may
we not talk about IT.
The truth is-and 1t would be idle to attempt
to conceal it. either for the commendable pur-
pose of promoting harmony or for any other
reason-that one of the first duties which the
next Congress will have to confront will be that
Of providing sufficient revenue for carrying
on the Government 1t cannot be evaded. We
shall not take the risk Of offending Mckinley
Democrats by any allusiOn to the legislation by
which the present Treasury situation has been
brought about any further than to say, what
| everybody knows and nobody will deny that
the fault Is with revenue laws, which, no mat
ter upon what theory they are based, do not
actually produce revenue enough to meet cur
rent expenditures. That feature Of the situa-
ton everybody understands Why, then, may
we not discuss with cnlmness and reasonable
ness an economic question not less important
| I'm It's bearings upon the maintenance Of public
credit and. as We believe. equally. II not more,
important in its effect upon the industrial IN
tcrests and the general welfare Of the people?
We have no disposition to disturb the compla-
! cency Of any Democrat who desires to vote for
Sound Money without being reminded that the
| only present or possible Sound Money candi-
date who can be elected is also Protcc-
ZIONIST But II must be remembered also that
believe profoundly that the present depressed
business conditions and financial distress are
due in a much greater degree to mistaken
md erroneous revenue policy than TO fears Of
free silver coinage. And our Democratic friends
who have come and are coming TO the support
of Mckinley must not be too sensitive to refer.