New-York tribune., 1896-12-01
4 FiIP TEST DESIRED.


While most of the sound-moncy Democratic
papers are engaged i'll trying To dictate a policy
for the Republican party. as if they had bought
il in open market. there are some who are srnsi-
ble enough 10 agree with Bourkc Cochran ana
Representative Sayrcs in the declaration that
tbe Repub,icans. having been intrrstcd by the
people with responsibility for legislation, must
he sustained and not embarrassed in the eXer-
else of that responsibility. If men are 'hlhkihS
exclusively of the partisan advantages which
Democrats might gain. there is not the least
chance for them to recover public favor until
the Republican principles have been put TO tAe
test
Were it possible for Democrats indefinitely 10
delay the application of those principles they
would have for years to come tremendous ma
iorities in Northern States demanding a gen'-
inc and unauthorized Republican tariff. The
millions will never bc convinced that such Il
tariff does not surely bring prosperity, unless by
practical experience. As Messrs. cochran ana
Sayrcs say if there is boundless prosperity IN
such tariff they want it and the country
wants II. If there is not. the whole country
ought TO learn soon as possible fhat the Ike
publican theories mistaken iE this respect
and the people will then be- prepared 10 consider
Otnpr theories. III ms gwen su'h
maiorics for Republican congressman As well
as for a Republican President. that there is no
room To doubt the people want the Repub-
lean policy tried more. But compromise
between Republican and Democratic opinions
would not test anything. II would not /"
fair trial 10 enact some mushy uncertainty.
some milk-and-watcr compromise Every man
of either party would then attribute all the good
results Of the act to the provisions which he
likes and all its evil results 10 the provisions
which he dislkcs
tariff partly Republican and partly Demo
cratic would moi settle anything There are
many business men in these days who feel
anxious 10 get rid Of often recurring uncertainty
about the tariff by the adoption of some measure
which shall stand for years wihou. material
change They need 10 observe that 10 sloppy
compromise will be accepted by either party
The friends of American industry VIII fight nm
rcstingly for genuine and consistent protective
tariff. The opponents Oi that system WI ~
pcrSisicnlly fight for the exclusion oi dulles
which they believe injurious. When iarif "f
one form or the other has - fir approved Itself
in experience thar the people insist upon llS con
iinuancc there can be- PERMANENT arrange"
mcnr: bur there never can bc Will. iarin
which lplftstlli- no CONVICTIONS ana WHfN WIZ
he held responsible FOR all evils by protrc ION
ISIS because il does not 90 far enough and 10y
frcc-iradcrs hccau>' n goes too far
The sane and sober Democrats therefore rec
ognlzc that Il Republican tariff ought tp br Re-
publican ami not half Democratic They do
not wan their own principles dl>honorcd by the
vicious results which they Imagine must flow
from tariff partially hostile 10 those principles
The Republicans have been charged with re-
spon>ibiliiy. and lcvcl-hrIdcd Democrats say.
Let Them take il. face il. anI slow how their
''prnciplc> work out in practice II they work
no; well. Democrats will presently he called
upon Ia show that th,y do better Bur
there j. no test possible unless the tarif framed
s distinctly in harmony with one opinion or the
| other Experience under "A nOnlcScript cOmpro-
mise would prove nothing and satisfy nobody.
and in all probability would make both sides
mor. pa>>ionairly anxious 10 see their own
| theories honestly tried Republicans are not
| afraid Of the test. If some Democrats are they
may prOfitably consider why.