The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-03-12
The DemOcratic OppOrtunity.


The Democratic national platform Of
1908 contained these two declarations upon
subjects now uppermost in Congressional
discussion:
We denand that the House Of Representatives
ian again become delibeTatiTs body controlled by
majority Of the peoples Representatives and not
the Speaker.
we favor immediate revision Of the tariff BY the
duction Of import duties. Gradual reduc-
ion should be made to restore tbs tariff to a reTs-
ne basis
The Democratic minority now has an
unusual opportunity to redeem both these
lodges. 1t has a membership of 172 IN
ne House. There is a sufficient number
OF dissatisfied Republicans willing 10 CO.
operate with the minority in securing a
modification OF the existing House rules
10 make up a majority AS many OF the
.nsurgent Republicans are also tariff re-
1ormers. it is by no means impossible
hat with rules permitting the amend
lent Of the tariff bill In the House. the
Democratic minority may be able 20 com
aand the support of a majority for
7eal revision Of the important tariff
-chedules. Even If neither Of these re-
salts can be accomplished, it would seem
nat an active and well organized oppo-
sltlon would be able TO impose that re-
straint upon the will OF the Republican
majority so desirable in the considera-
tioa Of a measure like the tariff bill
But what is the actual situation. Why.
Democratic division. Of course. Repub-
lean leaders count upon the detection Of
Democratic members TO defeat the move
nent for revision Of the rules More
over. they are counting on Democratic
Import for various protective features Of
,he new tariff Affecting Southern indus
,ries. A Southern Democrat is quoted by
he New York Tribune as saying:
1T does not look wise to us to rm counter TO
The views q the Republican majority. for it is
-,rtain that the majority viii win out. and that
Uncle Joe and his associates VIII control the de-
sails Of the tariff bill can see ourselves fighting
them to a finish and then going to them and plead
ing for that protection which Is essential 10 our
products such as iron ore sugar and other raw
materials which we produce IN the South. No.
insist that the South. generally and sehshly. Is for
protection and cannot imagine its representatives
following blindly the lead q Champ Clark. who is
a free trader"
If this theory is TO obtain, the function
of the opposition in Congress Is simply
20 make advantageous deals with the
majority for protective schedules, good
committee places. river and harbor ap-
propriations public building bills. and
pork" generally. Such an unimportant
matter as fidelity to party principles is
altogether negligible. The prime duty
Of an opposition is TO surrender on the
best terms possible. and forage literally
on the country. to borrow Sherman's
phrase. It IS pleasanter to throw down
arms and fraternize across the bloody
chasm OF party conflict. The enemy be-
ing in possession Of the prizes Of war.
his willingness TO divide with the con-
quered is highly commendable and lOftily
generous, and ought TO be accepted even
at the price OF self-immOlatiOn.
But what becomes Of the Democratic
party under the inspiration Of such p-in-
clples Of action? OF what meaning is the
party label and OF what usefulness the
party organization II the party. is TO be
a mere tail TO the Republican kite? Is
Il possible that the Democratic minority,
or a portion of it, is preparing TO throw
away a great opportunity-an opportunity
to do excellent service 10 the country, as
well as 10 mend the party fortunes?