The New York herald., 1920-01-12
MAKING LAST MINUTE ISSUES
HAVE PROVED DISASTROUS TO
DEMOCRATS IN CRITICAL TIMES
Political Situation Made by President Wilson Similar in Some
Respects to That Created by President Cleyelands
Tariff for Revenue Only Message.

Mr.. Cleveland said LIT is a condition
which co,ifronts Us, and not theory"
and in a. political sense the Democrats
agreed that the words were applicable
to their own individual cases.
Incidentally, there s a phrase in that
famous message or Mr.. Cleveland's which
sounds not unfamiliar 10 readers familiar
with tho messages of tho present cxccu-
tive, and which also brings vividly to
mind the fact that sharp disagroements
between the executive and Legislative
branches arc not alone OF the present, and
not of recent origin II Isl
IF disaster results from the continued
inaction of Congress tho responsibility
must rest where 1t belongs"
Day by day discussion of tho Presidents
message throughout the country continued
and evidence accumulated of tho certainty
that a new line of cleavage as between the
parties would be established. or course.
for tho most part men would cling to their
party allegiance because of heredity and
association, but new element had been
injected into party politics which was as
sessed as profit or loss in n mans business
or employment.
This feeling was shown In interviews
which were obtained by the HERALD In
lovery Industrial centre in the country.
The woollen men Of Philadelphia saw dis
aster in Mr. Cleveland's proposal, and one
man. said to be the leader in the industry,
declared it was Mr.. Cleveland's first mis-
take, but so big n mistake that ne would
part company from Mr.. Cleveland, politi-
lcally. The textile manufacturers of New
England predicted tho shutting up OF
every factory In New England within six
months if Mr.. Cleveland's recommends
tions were followed. Collar manufac-
turers of Troy predicted bankruptcy for
themselves and idleness for their thou
sands of employees.
Parties Rea1iEncd.
On the other hand. the Cleveland pro-
posals gained favor among many Repub-
ican business men, some Republican
newspapers and publlcists. Hugh Nc
Culoch. an honored Republican states
man, openly approved Mr.. Cleveland's S
stand. and the Chicago Tribune then
under the editorship of its founder. Jo-
seph McdiIl. caused a great deal OF Re-
publican worry by openly advocating the
Cleveland policy.
But what is particularly interesting In
this parallel In view OF the recent per-
formance of MIR. Wilson and the near ap-
proach OF the Presidential campaign is
the fact that Mr.. Cleveland's campaign
for reelection ended in his defeat, al
though the Republicans lacked consid-
erable in cohesion and dissension was rife
in several quarters And that result OBJ
tanned, too, Notwithstanding n Democratic
Governor, David Il. Hill. was elected In
New York. and Warner Miller FELL out
side the brcastworks.'
That was all about thirty-two years ago.
In the modern instance and previous 70
tho explosion last week the Democrats
were working patiently toward treaty
compromise which would eliminate the
treaty question from the campaign that
is just ahead Some of them, of course,
were looking ahead with more or less
hope TO the result III the nation. but most
of them were concerned with their own
individual political fates. Then the beans
were spilled. Now they must make their
plans anew. They must readjust and re-
adapt and rehabiitate. And they must
engendcr fresh hope.