Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1893 — THE PARTY ON TRIAL. [ARTICLE]

THE PARTY ON TRIAL.

An Impartial Revision or the Tariff Democracy's Only Salvation. The Democratic party is now on trial for its life. It has been commissioned by the people to make a tariff for revenue law and, in doing so, abolish the “fraud” protection. Twice have the people spoken with their mighty voioe. Once negatively, in 1890. to condemn McKinleyism; onoe positively, in 1892, to approve the Democratic program laid out at Chicago. Since 1892 there has been no national issue voted upon by the people and there is now but little reason to believe that the cool, deliberate judgment has changed on the tariff question; though if they had a chance to express themselves, they might raise a vigorous protest against the tardiness and timidity of the Democrats in beginning action against the tariff robber. If, however, the Ways and Means Committee reports a radical and reasonably just tariff bill, and the House and Senate pass it promptly, there is every reason to believe that the people will not withdraw the confidence they have placed in the Domocratic party. The result of tho reoent election, in so far as it had a national meaning, was intended only as a reprimand to the Democrats for their slowness in getting rid of the obnoxious and panic-producing silver law and as a warning against similar delay in dealing with the tariff. There is rough sailing ahead for the Democratic party if it not only does not turn out any tariff bill before next summer, but if that bill shall be, as the McKinley bill Is, a composite of selfish Interests. If every Tom. Dick and Harry who are interested in protected industries and who pretend to be Democrats, are to be allowed to dictate the next tarifl' and to defeat an honest, impartial and radical revision, Democratic representatives should make ready their life-preservers, for their ship will go down when it is struck by the next wave of popular indignation. If it were possible to please all of the people by giving sectional and selfish interests full play, then the McKinley bill should have been approved by all States; for if any State was slighted it was not McKinley’s fault. He gave to all who asked if they asked for any particular industry and locality, and not simply for that indefinite something—tne welfare of all in the country. The people at large, or at least a sufficient number to Bway elections, are quick to distinguish between an honest broad-guage tariff and a truckling miserable makeshift; and they have the patriotism to support such a measure even if the special interest of their own locality be denied further governmental aid. They realize the justice of impartiality and of leaving each industry to shift for itself. They have more oourage than some of the 60-called representatives in Congress who are afraid to say nay to the selfish clamor of a few of their wealthy constituents. Let a Congressman rise above sectionalism, vote for the good of tho whole country, have faith in the patriotism of his constituents, and he will not only benefit his party, but probably also himself. Patriotism is far more likely to bring success than demagogism. If the Democratic party at the critical time shrinks from action, or shirks its duty to fulfill its promises, it need not trouble itself about its future—it will have none. Quick, sharp, decisive action, which shall wipe out the last vestige of McKinleyism, give us free raw materials and lower the cost of living will receive the plaudits and votes of millions of people. Try them!—Bvron W. Holt. A Precedent. If it is seriously urged that the course of Congress in revising the tariff should be affected by the late vote of the North, we think it will be easily found that the high tariff men have furnished themselves a precedent which fully justifies tariff reformers in disregarding it. The McKinley tariff was passed under conditions when it was really condemned by the people in advance. In the first place, it was a fraud in the way the sense of the people was tested with regard to it in the campaign that elected President Harrison and gave it a majority in Congress. The impression generally prevailed all through the election of 1888 that duties were to be equalized, not raised. But accepting that as a verdict for raising them, and what followed? The McKinley tariff was not passed till 1890. In the meantime another election had been held, and in it the supporters of high protection had been routed all through the North. In New York, in Ohio, in lowa, and almost even in Massachusetts, all of which states had voted for Harrison, and {according to Republican claims) for high protection, thore had been revolutions at the polls which had given tariff reform great gains and reversed the verdict. What did the Republicans do in such a contingency? Accept the popular verdict as against them, as they are now asking tho Democrats to do? As far from it as possible. They went at once to work and passed the McKinley tariff in its most odious features, entirely ignoring the decision of the country, which had declared against McKinleyism, precisely as they would have the people believe it has declared against tariff reduction now. They thus set an example which they are the last men in the world who have a right to complain of the Democrats for following. What would be more inconsistent than for them to claim a different course on the part of their opponents?—Boston Herald. No Backward Step. The Democratic party cannot afford to purchase the “six votes of Louisiana,” as Congressman Bianohard puts it* by reimposing the tariff on sugar

that was taken off by the McKinley bill. Apart from the principle involved, the bargain would be a bad one, for It would cost the party in the next Congress at least thrice six votes from the West and North west. The placing of sugar on the free list was the greatest blunder the Protootionists have made in the lopg battle over the tariff. It Is carried into every household in the land demonstrative proof that the tariff is a tax; that our own people pay it; that it raises the price of the commodity on which it is Imposed, and that prices can be cheapened by taking it off. Every householder who learned that the sugar duty had been removed, and then found by experience that as a consequence ho could buy twenty pounds of sugar for a dollar where he had previously got only twelve pounds, had received an object-lesson that no argument could discredit. In the light of this practical experience the preposterous plea that cheapness is degrading—that “a cheap ooat makes a cheap man’’—was simply laughed at. The West and the Nortnweßt were won for tariff reform by the adroit use of this conclusive object-lession, and throughout the country cheapened sugar was pointed to as an indication of what a Democratic triumph would mean for the consumer. If the duty is reimposed and millions of voters are thus taught that tariff reform means a higher price for tho necessaries of life, the result cannot fail to be disastrous. The Democratic motto should be “Once on the free list always on the free list.” There must be no backward step.—New York World. Carlisle's Opportunity. The report of Robert J. Walker, Secretary ol the Treasury, which dealt with the revenue question and preceded the passage of the tariff act of 1846, was a state paper of such merit as to command the attention of the civilized world. It was a blow, at the right time, on the right side of a question which engaged the earnest attention of statesmen in Europe as well as in America, and it was Instrumental in bringing about a proper determination. Secretary Carlisle has the incentive and the opportunity for a state paper of like tenor with the Walker report. He is a great master of lucid statement. The oountry may expect from him an equally clear and candid exposition of Democratic doctrine on the subject of taxation that will compel the conviction of impartial minds.—Philadelphia Record.

Urgency of Tariff Reform. Let tariff reform go on as demanded by the best interests of the country.— Lynchburg (Va.) News. The necessity of tariff reform and reduction is as fully understood as ever before.—Buffalo Courier. There is danger in every step that leads us away from the platform, and safety in every effort that we make to carry it into effect.—Atlanta Constitution. Obstruction of the tariff bill, like opposition to the repeal of the Sherman act, will but delay the revival of business, which the oountry ardently desires. —Baltimore Sun The duty of the hour for the Democratic Congress is the revision of the tariff. It was this to which the party was pledged. Upon this pledge It was restored to power.—Kansas Gity Times. It is important that tariff reform be enacted as speedily as possible In order that the people may discover by experience that it is not the fearful tiling of their imaginings.—Elmira Gazette. Prompt, decisive action by Congress on the tariff question is imperatively demanded; not only for the best interests of the country, but for the good of the Democratic party.—Newport Herald. Tariff reform must be pushed with all possible expedition. Such a course is demanded alike by the interests of the country and by considerations of party expediency.—Louisville CourierJournal. Je behooves the Democratic majority to proceed with all possible expedition to put upon the statute books its policy of tariff reform, so that industry may know what to expect.—Springfield Republican. It is scarcely reasonable to suppose that President Cleveland will accept the vote of the 7th inst. as a revision of public judgment upon the questions of tariff reform and silver coinage.— Chicago Record. The Democrats should as speedily as possible give the country the law which it is their intention to enact, so that any element of doubt may be removed from tho situation.—Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette. Congress would be especially derelict if it failed in this [revision of the tariff], for no Congress ever was elected with clearer instructions, repeated after two years of deliberation and discussion.—Philadelphia Times. The lesson to the Democratic party of the election is that the pledges of the platform upon which it was intrusted with power must be kept, and that tariff revision must be effected as speedily as possible. Bridgeport Farmer. The extra session of Congress has cleared the way, by the repeal of the silver-purchase law, for the other and more important work of tariff reform. In regard to that reform, there must be no hesitation, no delay.—Grand Rapids Democrat. The people voted for tariff reform. They desire nothing radical or unreasonable. They do not wish manufacturers ruined or Western farmers driven to the woods. Reform, moderate, just to all, they are going to have.—Provtdance Telegram.