Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-09-15
is DISCUSSION DANGEROUS?
Esprit Lake Beacon.]

ISDlrtt Lake 6elCOIl.J
Republicans who stand for unamend-
ed protection assume to he possessed OF
q consuming fear that republicans who
have spoken in honesty and frankness
for frequent REIMBURSEMENT of the tariff
to public conditions aud public needs
are rocking the party boat. There are
no more loyal republicans or protec-
tionists than many who are thus ac-
cused They found all their hopes for
q splendid national future on the help
full past and the hopeful career OF their
party They see in the democracy, with
its petty wrangling over dead issues
and it's grand stand performance de-
signed to bring it into popular favor.
no basis for reasonable expectancy. M
spired by desire to see the republican
party continue its career OF supremacy.
impregnably fortified in the pubic
confidence thru its lagical appeals 70
public intelligence, republicans OF the
strenuous type have criticised the leth-
argy of republican congress, partlcu-
larry a republican sarete, but they
would grieve to know that thru mis-
taken zeal they have contributed TO
rarity decentralization. they would not
for q moment deny that the greatest
political calamity that could be visited
upon the country would be demo-
cratic administration, Or that the re-
publican party, sometimes wrong, is
from the standpoint of the people inf
nitely preferable to the democracy al
most always wrong on national issues.
So these will humbly confess their fault
and plead for pardon ii they may be
shown that they have given substantial
basis for democratic hore.
R,1t is the assumption we'll founded:
Leadership In party and public affairs
is still Of the highest Importance, but
profound philosophy is not necessary to
the discovery that the people are doing
far more thinking on their own account
than at any time since government was
instituted among men. Never has the
conduct of public men been more close
ly scrutinized. Never has party poll
cies been more definitely analysed. In
such states as Iowa are found in every
township men who diligently read and
thouehtfully digest all information
bearing upon public affairs. They form
conclusions thru original thought baseu
Upon reliable information even more
carefully and accurately than do many
men at the centers of national life ana
national action. 1t is idle to assume
that citizens like these will accept the
dictum of public men and party organs
fl; violence to their own Sdellberate
Judgment.
The discussion over tariff modifica-
ton really began at the fireside ana at
other forums inconspicuous. The men
who have in press and otherwise spoken
for a tariff responsive to national needs
did not create they simply gave more
prominent expression to popular IN
curry and popular demand. They nave
rIeaded with party leadership for con-
pressional action. They feel that help
ful legislation might have been enacted,
while by no means unmindful OF DIM
culties in the way. But they nave not
meant to threaten. While II Is heid 10
be important to move soon along
the lineSof popular expectation and de-
mand,; 1T is held to be more important
to establish for all time a policy OF
responsiveness to public need on the
mart OF congress than to name part1c-
,,lar session at which this policy shall
be Installed.
It can hardly be established that such
agitation is hostile to party interest,".
On the contrary 1t seems all-important
"a the party and the country to encour-
ape a spirit Of thought and expression
in narty councils. 1t certainly is wrong
and dangerous to have 1T understood
that republicans who agree with their
party in the main should be silent upon
roints OF disagreement or get out OF the
narty and speak from the outside. Free
ascension within party lines ought 10
make the party stronger In votes ana
infinitely stronger in party service.
Republican papers favoring what
they believe to be a more logical tariff
policy will in the future owe no apology
"a their party. If there is trouble in
,.amnaigns to come it will be at this
noint. In the day of trouble which pa
ners. for instance, will be able to hold
in line the largest number OF restless
renublicans, the Des Moines Capital
and the Cedar Rapids Republican. or
the Sioux City Journal and the Mar
sb,,,town Times Republican? The two
former ridicule all suggestions looking
ia tariff amendments; the two latter are
pleading with congress for freer COM
netition and fairer trade without yield
ing a single point against practical pro-
lection. Which two, we repeat, Will be
ah,e to do the best and most helpful
rartv service in the day Of party need
Tong TRIP By WAGON.