The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-13


A platform 10 binding upon every hone.
similar risk II he II not willing 70 as
sumo the responsibility for . change OF
plan where conditions compel the change
Responsibility Of Subordinate.
'Tt the disobedience OF the subordinate
officer In due to cowardice or to the
substitution of n selfish for a patriotic In
terest he Is condemned. but he Is likewise
to be condemned II either from cowardice
or because OF a selfish interest he per-
mits the interest OF his country TO be
jeopardlzed rather than live UP to the
responsibilities which his position imposes
upon him.
I'm the case under consideration the
President takes the responsibility for an
Official act which he regards as necessary
to his country's welfare, and the people
must decide whether or not he Is Jus
tined: and those who refuse to act with
him also assume responsibility and they
too must abide the judgment Of the pub.
lie.
Such a change has taken place since
the Baltimore platform was adopted Had
the Democrats In convention assembled
been confronted by the condition which
now exists and had they known what
those now know who voted for repeal
no such plank would ever have been placed
in the platform.
even brought to the fact that a majority
Of the Democrats In the House had voted
against the free tolls measure, and that
II had In fact been passed by = combina-
ton Of q minority Of the Democrats and
majority Of the Republicans.
The platform plank which is now being
worshipped as II II were the only plank
thu nlnfforyp raa'ifv "A rahnxa
to the Democrats IN Congress when the
convention had reason to suppose that II
was indorsing the action OF majority
Of the Democrats when IL Endorsed the
action o: Congress.
at WAS more than that, Il was In
dorsement Of the doctrine Of subsidy.
which the party had taken pAins to de-
nOunce In the same platform.
Third. moreover. this plank Of the
platform deals with an International ques-
ton and must be accepted with the un-
thai We act Jointly with other
nations in International affairs.
Expr~sston Of . Wish.
trsdicted by another plank In the plat
form: even II II had not concealed a sub
sidy policy repugnant to Democratic prln-
ciple and history: even II IL had not re-
buked the Democrats in Congress-: even
II conditions had not changed. still deal
Ing with an international question 1t
should be taken as the expression OF a
alton. for no nation can afford
% purchase a small advantage in the face
OF a universal protest.
IF "a nation desires TO array itself
against the world II should be sure that
the thing which II is to gain is worth
what IL costs
The President. knowing that every
commercial nation except our own con-
strues the treaty as a pledge of equal
treatment would have been recreant to
his trust had he failed TO point out 10
the American people that our diplomatic
relations would be seriously disturbed
by the carrying out OF the free tolls pol
Icy.
THE friends OF free tolls gave conclu-
slve proof that they were conscious OF
the weakness OF their position when In
opposing the repeal OF free tolls they at
tempted to appeal to prejudice rather
than to reason. They charged. with a
sehemence that increased as the case grew
more desperate, that the President was
surrendering to England,
What has Great Britain done to justify
the accusation that she is trying to die
tate 70 this country? She has simply
called attention to the terms OF the treaty
and asked for arbitration Of the question
Df construction in case this Government
differs from the British Government in
the construction to be placed upon the
language.
Before passing from this branch OF
the subject II Is worth while to remember
that this In not tho first time Democratic
legislation In behalf of the people has been
denounced as a surrender to England
"Every time our party has attempted to
reduce the tariff we have been confronted
with the charge that the lowering OF the
tariff would benefit England and that we
were surrendering our markets to foreign
This sham issue was raised by the
OF protection: they claimed
10 possess a superior patriotism, but every
well Informed citizen knew that their real
reason was not patriotic but selfish. They
were growing fat through the taxation OF
the American people and they attempted
TO appeal to prejudice merely to divert
attention from the real Issue.
same Cry Raised.
at is a fact. the Significance Of which
will not be overlooked, that those who are
using this surrender to England slogan
now are using II to secure the same sort
Of advantage that the protectionists
THIS time the benent IL TO GO Into the
pockets of the owners OF vessels engaged
In the coastwise trade. and knowing that
hey cannot defend their position with
Democratic arguments the advocates of
Tree tolls attempt 10 create n prejudice
against the nation which entered into n
treaty with US and which happens also,
because OF its large shipping interests, to
be the country most interested in prevent
nv discrimination.
THE surrender to England argument
II being used now Just az Il has been
used In tho past and for the benefit of the
same selfish interests, but now that the
people have secured tariff reduction th,y
AN no longer be frightened by this subter- |
fuge,
when We come to consider the repeai
measure upon it's merits. there are Just
two questions 10 be decided:
"First, IL II desirable for the Demo-
'ratic party % abandon It's historic posi-
lion and become the advocate Of subsi-
lies and b0untiess And. second, II II Is
desirable. what II the Democratic party
willing to sacrifice In International pres
lige and In world Influence In order to Sc
'uPe the advantage which these subsidies
promise to few peoplef
No party can AFFORD to adopt a pr!n-
ciple without considering how far the
principle extends or what it's adoption In
wolves In the past the Democratic party
has been able to consistently OPPOSE every
FORM or governmental favor because It
has stood for tuual right. IN oil apa