The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-12
SMITH ON c. 0. P.
SAYS THE TARIFF BILL WILL
CAUSE ITS UNDOING.
Democratic Party Has the Opportun-
ity, Under Skillful Management, to
Get New Life.

Hon. e. ID. Smith. junior United
States senator from this State, spent
yesterday in the city on personal bus
iness. Mr.. Smih is in the very best
OF health and spirits and his work at
Washington agrees with him, al
though ne said yesterday that really
he prefers cotton campaigning" with
Its activity and work to the more Sc
date occupation as a member Of the
senate.
Mr.. Smith was generally congratu-
lated upon his stand on the tariff
question and many Of his friends ex-
pressed their qualification that he had
received such fiattering attention and
such complimentary notices upon the
occasion of his speech in the senate
last week.
Mr.. Smith declares his belief that
the tariff bill is the rock upon which
the Republican party ship will get a
jar which will send it to the bottom
In the next presidential campaign.
I'm this present tariff bill, in the
present discussion" he said, 'it is
made apparent that the Republican
tariff policy has at last reached its
logical outcome. The principle has
been applied and its disastrous effects,
understood when this bill becomes
law. will defeat the Republican party.
And, In order to prevent this logical
result of their outrageous policy, the
Republican press is attempting to
magnify what seems to be the dis
loyalty of some Democrats.
by holding this up before the pub
lie. they are hoping to distract at
tention for the disastrous effects of
their own applied policy.
"The difference beween the Demo-
cratic situation and the Republican
situation Is that the Republican prin-
ciple has been applied, has been test
ed, put into law and has proved dis
astrously disappointing.
Its advocates have been loyal,
practically unanimous, while on the
other hand, the Democratic doctrine
has not been applied. and a few DEM
ocrats who have seemingly deserted
have in nowise affected tho principles
or Democracy but have simply en-
phasized the misleading and pernici-
GUS doctrine of protection.
Therefore, the hope Of the country
Is in pruning the Democratic forces
OF such as will not stand for Demo-
cratic principle and the application of
the plans of Democracy in govern
mentsr
"The people must not be misled in
thinking the Democracy as a prin-
ciple of government Is a failure be
cause a few men may be untrue to
their pledges; but 1t is true that the
Republican protection principle Is a
failure, because the Republicans have
been true to their pledges. carry them
Into effect and the result is that the
people will repudiate it.
IF the press Of this country will
keep this distinction and will insist
on the repudiation of the graft sys-
tew now on us. and will plead for the
principles of Democracy being put In
practice by the genuine Democrats. I
believe that the next election will wit
ness an overwhelming victory for the
Democratic party. The line of dis
tinctiOn between the two parties. as
l see II now, Is not sectional to the
extent that it has been, but is the line
between the masses and the protect
ed interests.
This will be the battle ground of
the coming conflict: and if handled
properly, l have no doubt of the issue.
| think the interests Of the people
would be better served If more prom
inence were given to the distinctions
between the present Republican sys-
tenn and real Democracy than to
magnify the shortcomings of some
Few Democrats. THE State