The New York herald., 1920-01-12
By an Old Political Reporter.

Confusion ameng the Democratic lead
ers In the nation which has followed the
action Of President Wilson In insisting
that the treaty OF peace as 1t stands shall
be either accepted or rejected by tho Sem
ate Is not altogether without parallel.
The Democratic organization and the DEM
ocratc leaders have frequently shown
penchant for "crlsises," and tactical blum
ders moro often than now and then save
been dominant factors in political situa
tions so far az the Democrats themselves
some cases the supposed "bundcr" event
usually was turned 10 profit and Is It true
that tho Immediate result from tho party
standpoint was disastrous.
VIII history repeat in this instance? IS
a question Democrats whose memory
reaches back to lean and barren years
are discussing following the pronounce
ment of tho President In regard to the
treaty ratification. Whatever may be the
individual guess in this regard it is in
teresting TO recall a political episode when
in sorne of its details is very similar TO
that in which Mr.. Wilson last week was
the chief actor.
strtong Men As Leaders.
When Congress convened December G,
1887, strong men were leaders la the coun-
ellis and the militant organization of the
Democratic party. Grover Cleveland was
President and in his Cabinet were such
leaders as William c. Whitney, Charles
Tgo;, Il 4 .,d
at his right hand was Daniel Scott La
mont. John G. Carlisle was Speaker OF
tho Democratic House Of Representatives.
and on the majority side were men of
the type Of Springer, of Illinois, Brecken-
ridge, OF Kentucky; Mills. OF Texas:
Crisp Of Georgia: Cochran and Cox. of
New York: Bynum and Holman, OF In
diana and Randall, of Pennsylvania.
In addition, the then so-calcd doubt
ful states OF the North were in Demo-
cratic control--New York Indiana. Con-
necticut and New Jersey--and the Govern
ors of those States were strong men, men
OF achievements and capacity. worthy
representatives OF the best in their party.
Moreover, the Cleveland administration
had been generally satisfactory to tho
country. The first Democratic admins
tration since the civil war Il was az
first viewed with suspicion. hut little by
little it's record of plishmcnts was
recognized and commended.
With this setting and with all these
favoring circumstances Democratic lead
ers we're looking forward with confidence
to further successes. The national CAM
paign was to begin within six months
The National Committee had been called
20 select the date and place for the ma
tional convention. Mr. Cleveland, IL was
agreed would be renomlnated. From the
Democratic viewpoint all tho signs wero
propitious. all serene.
Democrats In CONSERVATION.
And then o bombshel dropped. Upon
the convening of Congress Mr.. Cleveland
sent I'm his Tariff for- r-Revenuc-Only mes
sage. Taking counsel from only those
within the inner circle. acting practically
on his individual Judgment. in an hour
he changed the political aspect and pros
pect. Openly Democrats professod TO be
pleased and commended the courage OF
the President: actually they were lis
mayed and in state verging on con-
sternaton. At any rate. II was certain
that the plan of campaign must be en-
tircly recast that Democratic editors.
speakers and leaders must at once begin
study Of tho tariff and ecoromics--an n
intensive study that would quickly equip
! them not only TO expound the doctrine 81
tariff for revenue only, but 70 meet tho
CT rticism of the proponents Of protection.
Some idea Of the state OF mind Of the
Democrats may he gathered from the
columns OF interviews obtained by HERALD
correspond snts In Washington ard pub
iished in the HERALD the following day, un-
der this heading;--
STATESMEN sTAGGERED,
Surprised 10 Discover that the
Message Was Loaded to
the Nuzzle.
Quite apart from tho questions OF
istatcamanship. economies and govern.
mont finance. concerning which ques-
tions there we're various opinions. pri-
vately the Democrats admitted that a
blurder IN tactics had been committed.
They were especially aggriovcd because.
they thought, IL was unnecessary TO
open the tariff question at that time
with necessarily snap judgment In the
brief period given in which to- present
tho matter 10 the voters. In his message.