The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-05

question OF current politics. perhaps never
will be again. The tarIff question was at
one time. before the war. a living issue.
and then apparently died for a time. TO
be revived later when the questions OF
slavery and secession had been removed
from the field Of politics. But see how
both parties have changed from time TO
time on that question. The national Re
publican platforms OF 1858 and 1854 com
mitted that party to correct the incquali-
ties OF the tariff TO the end that taxation
should be oqualized as far as possible.
President Grant In 1874 was in favor Of
removing the duty from such woods. as
VIC ala not produce in this country. and
Garfield and Arthur were tariff reformers.
The Republican tariff commission. ap-
pointed by President Arthur. recommend
ed substantial reduction of duties. and
President Arthur In his letter OF accept
ance recommended that "such changes
be made in the existing system as would
relieve every burden OF industry and en-
able our artisans and manufacturers sue
cossfully to compete with those Of other
lands"
The record OF the Democratic party Is
quite as changcful. Before the war the
cry was for free trade and sailors
rights" but in 1871 the party lodged the
Whole question. declaring that there were
irroconciiablc difference Of opinion OH tho
a e.. 49,.
icmitting the discussion or the subject
TO the people IN their several congress
aional districts. Then in 1889 Hancock de-
clarod that the tariff was a local issue,
but the convention came out for tariff
for revenue only. In 1854 the uttorance
Of the party on this question was so nom
cOmmittal as TO have caused the wits TO
say that the party was In favor of free
trade for the sections that wanted free
trade. and In favor Of protection for sec
tons that wanted protection. ia 1857 Mr..
Cleveland startled the country with his
vigorous message on the tariff, and his
views were incorporated into the platform
OF ISSs Again in 1892 a vigorous effort
was made TO reacont the old stracdle Of
1881. and when the report was made Hen
~ Watterson got up and denounced 1t as
that old stump speech OF 1854 revived.
The stump speech was defeated, and
the party took a bold stand for tarih
for revenue only. In 1S9G the silver ques-
ton had overshadowed the tariff question
so completely that the convention dismiss
ed the tariff with the single expression
that il was not to be thought Of until the
financial question had been settled
And so on We could take up the his
tory Of the financial question. the Ques-
ton Of greenbacks and the question OF
resumption. and even the silver question
itself.
As we have said, there are certain car
dinal principles Of Democracy which had
formed the ground work Of all Demo-
cratic platforms until the Populisiic
omanation OF 1896. but as TO economic
questions they have changed with condi-
tons. and the declarations Of the party
have necessarily changed with them. We
say. therefore. that the state organiza-
tions are not called upon to reafirm all
the declarations Of the national conven-
ton OF 1896. 1t is enough for the State
organizations TO declare themselves In
favor Of the cardinal principles OF Demo-
cracy, and then give attention 10 their
own local Affairs. leaving the economic
questions of national concern to be de-
termined by the convention, which shall
meet three years hence.