The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-07-27
oF sleNlFlcANr IMPoRT.

OF most significant import IS the at
ttude taken by Senator Blackburn Of
Kentucky, and former Senator Cor
man Of Maryland as outlined in our
special Washington correspondence.
These two distinguished leaders are
Of the opinion that the Democratic
party should stand upon the living
issues Of the day. which would enable
It TO make the next presidential CON
test upon an 'up.to date and an ag
gresslye" platform It is collated
from their views that
There is but little encouragement
from a political standpoint, to be de-
rived from "A general attack upon the
administration Philippine policy
This government has gone so far in
that direction that it Is almost impos-
slble to suggest a practical remedy by
which the American forces can be
withdrawn from those islands. There
are other questions nearer nome and
of greater interest to the American
people which might be pushed to the
front and made party issue by the
Democrats The tariff question Of
fers an inviting field of operation for
the Democracy The Republicans are
wide open on this subject, and it is
believed that vigorous attack on the
present law would appeal with especial
force to a large majority OF the Ameri-
can people at this time.
The position here outlined is in ac-
cord with that Of the Constitution,
and is the only one upon which the
party can hope to face the future. 1t
would be the height OF political folly
to continue the discussion Of questions
which events have removed from the
active arena. AS long as the Philip
pine question was one Of current poll
tics It was in order to assume that po-
sitlon toward it which circumstances
seemed to demand. It Is now as
ancient in all OF it's relations to the
present as is the annexation of Alaska.
AS well attempt the resurrection of
the one as the maintenance of the
other Every avenue by which Ameri-
can occupation OF the Philippines
could be attacked has been closed up.
The only question open for discussion
at the present time is as to the per.
formance Of our duty toward our new
fellow citizens.
This suggests that contests of the
future must be fought upon domestic
lines which embraces the homestead,
whether in one Of the states Of the
Union, in one of the territories or even
in the islands Of the sea. The tariff
law is the one possessing elements
of life in which every man is interest
ed The arguments by which tariff
laws have been commended to the
American people have been abandon
ed even by the parties using them,
and it is now boldly assumed that tar
ifs exist not for the benefit of tie peo-
pie at large, but for the enrichment OF
extraneous growths in which but few
people have a part Under this tariff
supposedly for the promotion of Ar-er-
lean trade and for the benefit Of all
citizens the English manufacturer car
buy steel goods cheaper than his
American competitor, so much so that
the era will soon come when It might
be money saved to buy these goods
via the English market and to pay
freight both ways. In the complexity
Of business thus established the steel
trust alone Is prohted. It bleeds the
American pocket to make up the diff
ference by which cheap goods can be
sold to Europe. This scandalous dis
closure of tariff exaction Is but an
example OF the operation OF the entire
Dingley law It is an oppression upon
people from which they will seek re-
lief once they are made aware of It.
When the Democratic party has be
tore it such living issues as this, Il is
no time TO discuss theories and prob
lens Of antiquated garb. These ques-
tions can well rest until the issues of
the day shall have been settled.
Messrs. German and Blackburn speak
for usually Democratic, but still
doubtful states--that is, states in
which Democratic victory can only be
gained by hard work. They are thus
brought face to face with the who'e
difficulty Of political warfare. They
are convinced Of the truth OF d no
cratic contentious and at the same