National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-12
THE REVENUE BILL.

behalf of the new revenue bill should be
needed by every Republican. The integ-
rity Of the nation and of the party are both
involved in this question of revenue for
the protection of the sinking fund. The
faith of the nation has been solemnly
pledged to its protection. That pledge was
participated in by Democrats in both
Houses, but there is no reason to expect
that they will regard 1t now il they con-
ceive that the interests of their party can
be forwarded in the least by Its repudla.
ton. This is clearly indicated by the line
Of remarks INDUCED by Mr. Wood in
reply TO Mr.. Dawes. He explicitly de.
clared in terms that II was now question
whether the sinking fund should be
continued at all. :" And he took the
negative. lie declared himself In favor Of
Republication Of our pledge Of faith rather
than an increase Of taxation. And he Is
the leader Of his party In the House.
In the face Of this declaration Of the Dem.
ocratlC leader what Is tho duty OF Republl'
cansH There was no dissenting voice from
his fellow Democrats. There was no blush
Of shame mantled the cheeks Of Beck, Cox,
Holman OF. al. OF this bold declaration In
favor Of Reputation. On the contrary,
they held up the arms Of their high priest
while he illuminated this dlsgraceful dogma.
They all stood by consentIng to their coun.
try's dishonor. They are evidently Joined
10 their idols.
Whatever is done at this session for the
maintenance Of the good name and fair
fame of the nation, for the preservation Of
its credit at home and abroad at the proud
standard to which it has been elevated by
the Republican financial policy, must be
accomplished by the Republicans alone and
unaided. This fact may as well be looked
fairly in the face at once. We think we
know the material of that party too
well to believe for a moment that
there will be any flinchIng upon this ques-
ton. 1t will be met boldly and firmly. 1t
is but question of one dollar per capita of
our population, this deficit with which we
are threatened by the depression in foreign
imports. That is all And let us say just
here that we consider this decrease in rev.
enue from this source as a healthy sign.
Our internal revenues keep up to the esti-
mates, showing an average activity of our
manufactures. Our decrease of imports is
simply an evidence of the economy with
which our people are meeting the
commercial depression by denying
themselves of many. superfuities.
We do not believe there is single non
partisan American who would not vote for
this increase of taxation in preference to
reputation.
In regard to the proposed changes, the
ten per cent. renewal of the so.called hori-
zontal tax is as fair and just as can be-
just as fair as it was before. The whisky,
sugar and tobacco taxes are exceedingly
fair, as they are articles Of almost univer-
sal consumption, and can be collected with
but very little, if any, additional expense
to the Treasury. We must say that we
think the articles, under all the circum-
stances, have been wisely chosen. This
tax will not please everybody. Glass in
terests will always bring objections of de-
sign to Cypress them. But these should
not be needed, for, as we have frequently
explained, it is the consumer, and not the
manufacturer or the importer, who
ultimately pays this tax. The
men who swecten coffee and tea
and chew or smoke tobacco and
use spirits in any form are the parties to
be consulted In this matter, and If you go
from one end of the country to the other
and demand OF these consumers whether
they will be taxed dollar per annum, or
five dollars more per annum rather than
bring dIshonor upon the nation, you will
hear but one long, earnest shout In favor
Of the Increase.
Republication means the failure OF oil our
banks, the depreciation OF our currency,
the worthlessnesS Of our national bank
notes, the universal bankruptcy Of indl.
vIdualS as we'll rs tho nation, When We
fall 10 protect tho sinking fund our bonds
will fall, and with them our currency. In
short, population means ruin, and breach
Of iaIlh means Reputation.