The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-25
COUNTRYWIDE DEMAND.

IF our legislators are wise" says Congressman
Lowering Of Massachusetts. they will not antagoniZe
the great growing sentiment in favor of tariff revision
whether 1t under the head of the Iowa idea or
that older and countrywide demand that has been
forcing itself upon the attention Of the party leaders
for the last few years.
Mr. Lowering voices the gSaeral commentary upon
the policy of the Republican party. Considered from
the polite political standpoint the party has
erred in adopting position which the aver
age man cannot ndorse The conservative politician,
who is the best judge perceves the weakness of
plan which does make concession to the peo-
pies attitude.
Upon the revision question public opinion has made
itself clear. From the press and from the platform
the weight of expression is Overwhelmingly on the
side of revision. There has been division Of ex-
preston within the past few years except as to the
extent of tariff repeal During the past twelve months
the only great public question upon which there has
been practical unanimiy has been that of tariff re
vision.
Linked with the tariff in the public mind are the
trust evils popular verdict relating solely to the
tariff hndrance to trade and means of unneces-
sary and unjust extortion would promptly declare for
revision: the tariffs direct evils ample to condemn
it. But when in addition its indirect operation and
incidental evils perceived nation of voters is the
more eager and insstent.
Molders of the Republican stand-pat policy have
had but single obect-to protect class interests in
Guiding and dependent upon monopoly-and have hewn
straight to the line The has been deliberately
mapped If is committed it is deliberate error
The politicians have not misjudged the people, but
have read truly the extent depth of revision sent
ment They had ample opportunity to read it before
the policy had been determined upon. They simply
came to parting Of the ways-it was a choice be-
tween the class interests and the people, and the
r>yraf Tho
pies i'll will
1t not until the congressional election of last
year that the standpat policy fully manifested itself.
Prior to that time public opinion seemed to be impress
ing itself upon the nations policy. The people were
behind President Roosevelt Popular sentiment was
urging him on. He led great cutlery against the
trusts and against the tariff. Suddenly. after his
championship had served purpose, he Topped to the
side of the privileged interests. Playing the people
into the trusts and the machines hands, he led the
voters soldly the polls They indorsed Mr.. Roose
welt upon his promise to abide with them against
the stand-patters and the octopus. They be
trayed, deserted. Mr.. RooSeves action in taking
abrupt stand with the enemy appears now to have
been part of prearranged plan. 1t marked the in
auguration of policy which has not deviated since
then.
Between the Republican bosses and the voters the
issue has become and more sharply defined with
time. Antagonism is accentuated the machine in
creasng in arrogance and defiance the people becom
ing deeper in their convictions. AS Mr. Lowering
asserts the demand for revision is countrywde
Nothing less" he predicts, than liberal drawback
law enacted at the session of Congress will
the protective tariff from fearful onslaught If not
utter demolition" There will be liberal drawback
law the undertaking policy will continue before
1t will remain for the in 1904 to point the moral
to tale of machine baseness, political intrigue and
betrayal.