Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-06-10
CONTRADICTORY CHARGES.
How the Democrats Praise the Repub'
Iicans When trying TO
Accuse Them.
st. louis lobe-Democrat, Repl.

st. Louis Globe Democrat, Repl
1t is amusing to place together the two
leading charges made against the Repub-
lican party by the Democratic press. The
first is that the business depression of the
last four years was caused by latent con-
ditions prepared by the Republicans and
handed over in 1898. The second IS
that full tide of national prosperity
has not appeared during the second month
of the new Republican Administration.
These accusations are contradictory and
damaging excuses. They not only conflict
but involve compliment not intended.
As for the sublety of the Republicans In
preparing disguised panic and unloading
it upon the Democrats, that is a fantastic
idea. Up to the last month of the Har
rson administration the Treasury reported
a surplus. Then the Democrats took hold,
having been intrusted with full control OF
the Government for the first time in more
than thirty years. 1t was their business
to avert dull times and strengthen the
national revenue, and they should have
thanked fortune that the difficulties were
only "latent," not yet visible or urgent.
But few months of untrammeled Dem
ocratic rule elapsed until the people
discovered that the country had
fallen into incapable hands. Everything
went wrong. The national revenue fell OF,
and heavy deficit appeared to take the
place Of the long established surplus. An
insufficient politically shapeless tariff
bill was passed. 1t had the double fault
of violating the pledge ofthe party platform
and of failing to meet current expenses.
The industries of the country
languished, business confidence was lost
and new ventures were indefinitely post
poned. From this state Of liberalization
and distress sprang a revolutionary Dem
ocratic fusion and attack upon the standard
of values, threatening to reduce it cne-half.
Here was Pandoras box with vengeance,
and yet the Democratic explanation is that
the Republicans had laid trap years
before. Why the Democrats failed to
avoid all traps is not cleared up. 1t isim'
parative that party in full control
should at least have that much gumption.
On the 4th of March, little more than
two months ago, the Republican party took
charge in Washington of large assort-
ment of Democratic debts, deficits, COM
plications and tariff absurdities, and, at the
same moment, the Democrats demanded
immediate good times. Mr.. Bryan il re-
ported to have recently asked a crowd,
"Have you seen the General?" In reply
to the query, "What General?" bis reply
was, "Why, General Prosperity" In less
than ninety days the Republicans are ex-
pected to restore the country to bouyant
conditions. They have never failed here
tofore to do it in due time. Whatever of
craftsmanship and courage was necessary
they have supplied. They are now en-
gagged in framing the sort of tariff they are
pledged to, which is pecisey where Dem
ocrats showed one of their varieties of bad
faith. The inheritance from the Democrats
is not in the form of ''latent" evils. They
are numerous, positive and pressing. But
the Republican party expect to make short
the work of them on this as on former &C.
casions.