New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-27

The Evening Post" seems gravely dissatis-
fed with the conduct of the Parker canvass
Even the Judges admission that he favors
granting political and territorial independence"
TO the Philippines, las soon as il can prudenty
be me-" fails to soothe our ruffied contem-
porary's sensibilities Imperialism" is only Il
minor issue in this ca mpaign. What the can
didate and the party leaders say about our pol
Icy IN the Philippines is of comparatively little
consequence But when they persist in going
wrong and staying wrong on major issue"
like the tariff. The POST begins 10 lose its
newborn faith in Democratic safety" and
sanity"
1t was bad enough for Judge Parker TO say
at EsopuS that though he heartily favored
tariff revision. be could only hope If elected,
TO accomplish such reductions in the schedules
as might meet the approval of a Republican
Senate. That was net programme to fire the
blood of an old-fashl0ned tariff-smashing Cob
denite. Yet The Post was disposed to hope
that the candidates excessive caution would
not be echoed by other "keynoteTs" To them
1t looked not for a milk and water advocacy OF
tariff revision in cooperation with Repub lean
Senate, but for open warfare on the protective
system as such. and frank denunciatiou of
that systems workings as robbery of the
many TO enrich the few Two eminent Demo
cratic orators-the Hon. Edward NJ Shenard
and the Hon. Joseph ". Bailey-opened the
Parker campaign in Brooklyn on Thursday
night, and their extraordinary failure 10 rise
to an intelligent appreciation OF THE Posts
major issue" has plunged our contemporary
into grief and gloom.
In its irritation THE Post" accuses these
two statesmen Of "shufiing" on the tariff dues4
ton Mr.. Shepard. who not long ago was
prophesying that tariff reduction would be the
sole issue # the campaign of 1904. is now con-
WINGED that there are other issues more peril
nent and more pressing. He still wants to
reform the tariff" But he wants To reform
It by aboshing or reducing only such duties
las do not extend or diversity American indus
"try." But TO admit that tariff duties can ever
extend or diversity American industry" is to
renounce the most sacred tenet If CObdenism
AS The Post sorrowfully admonishes Mr.
Shepard to admit that protection is a good
thing in certain cases" is to yield the whole
free trade argument II throws overheard
definitely and forever the essential conten-
ton of the free trader that protection is an
evil per Sc"
Mr.. Bailey. ii seems, was even more waver
ing and perverted in his logic than Mr. Shepard
The Senator from Texas. who seems t. be him
self sort of Randall protectionist gave these
astonishing assurances TO his Brooklyn au-
dience:
1t is the drivel of an idiot TO talk about any
party In this country proposing to repeal all
tariffs and TO esta blish free trade. With the ex-
penditures of the federal government already so
enormous as to stagger the imagination and
growing greater every year under the reckless
extravaganza of those now In power, they cannot
hope materially to reduce the present rate OF
duty.
Under the necessity OF raising revenue TO sup
port the government, the Democratic party VIII
continue to levy tariff duties and IL perfectly
understands that those tariff duties will afford
a protection to American manufacturers against
their foreign competitors.
Talk about destroying the protective system.
on the pretence that it is a robbery OF the
many to enrich the few" is according to the
Senator from Texas "the drivel Of an idiot"
Yet that IS the kind of "drivel" THE POST has
been indulging in for years, and the kind Of
"drivel" II still relies on a main prop TO
Judge Parker's canvass. We sympathize with
our distressed contemporary. 1t is doing its
best to keep In key with the Parker chorus.
But it must realize sooner or later that the
forces supporting the judge stand on no com
mon ground and recognize no common beliefs;
and every time a distinguished Parker leader
talks there viii be necessarily some more or
less embarrassing shutting on the party 8
, issues.