The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-05-26
views of senator Davis.

QUINCY, ILL, May ~ 1851.
NV DEAR SIR. The approaching close
,fthe present session will, it is to be feared,
leave questions unsettled which are of large
nnblic interest, and which materially affect
HE peace and prosperity Of the Union
MANY of your friends in this State and
throughout the West had hoped, and indeed
expected, that opportunity would have been
offered in the Senate by which your views on
these matters could have been made known
~ the country. II unfortunately happens
amidst the distractions of party and strifes of
rival ambitions that the voice of statesman
slim is hushed too often when wise counsel is
most needed. This was never more true than
at the present time. The country is
lust emerging from long Pc
period of trial and suffering, The people
seek rest from angry discords and desire to
avoid repetition of the perils through
which they have passed. They crave good
government, stability and perfect reconcile.
atoms between the sections. The statesman
who can achieve these great objects will be
blessed public benefactor. have ventured
to embody in the form of inquiries appended
to this latter some of the subjects upon
which your opinions are desired, if ii be
agreeable to you to comply with the request
of large body of voters and friends, with
out distinction of party. Truly, your friend,
0. II. BRowNING.
Hon. DAVID DAVIS, United States Senator.
REPLY OF SENATOR DATIs.
WASHINGTON, May H.
Ny DEAR SIR have had the pleasure
to receive your letter Of tho 9th instant
As constituent, friend and an honored
citizen of Illinois, you have perfect right
TO ask for my views on public questions, and
/ have no hesitation in expressing them, TAX
ing the inquiries in the order presented.
Peace in the Union, permanent prosperity
and fraternal fellowship are only to be at
tAineG by silencing sectional strife, faithful
adherence to the constitution and all its
amendments, strict observance of the laws in
conformity Herewith, and equal rights and
equal protection for every citizen in every
part of the republic will soon end discords
that have too long vexed the country and in
iured its material welfare, The people are
weary Of agitation and want peace.
GENERALIZATION.
The constitution wisely defines the respec-
i've limits of Federal and State governments
under happy and harmonious system
wherein each is independent in its appropri-
ate sphere and both operate concurrently to
protect the integrity and stability Of the
Union. ANY encroachment of one on the
domain of the other necessarily
iislocates the machinery of the constitution
md involves danger to the whole body
polite. In fact every departure from the
great charter of liberty and law is attended
With peril. The demand made by the
.dherents of one of the great parties for a
trong government means substantially
entralzed government destructive of home
ule in the States, and the very reverse of
What Mr.. Lincoln well described as "a gov
rnment of the people, by the people, and
or the people," Carried to its logical con-
,lusion, such a change would finally over
brow the republic.
THE THIRD TERM.
An innovation upon sanctified traditions
If the Presidency, first established by the e1-
nipple of Washington, is urgently demanded
~ a powerful interest in the Republican
party. If the limitation of two TERMS here
ofore universally accepted, be destroyed, the
way to self-perpeluated Presidency will be
opened by use and abuse of enormous public
patronage. Break down this barrier and an
nd of the experiment of Republican gov
rnment looms up darkly as the cost of a
atal concession.
GREAT CORPORATIONS.
The rapid growth of corporate power and
ne malign influence which it eXerts by COM
,inaton on National aHd State Legislatures
well-grounded cause of alarm. A strug-
lie is impending in the near future between
power. with its vast rami6ca-
IONS all over the Union, and a hard grip on
much ofthe political machinery on one hand
nd the people in an unorganized condition
m the other, for the control of the govern |
nent. 1t will be watched by every patriot
With intense anxiety.
CIVIL sEvICE.
Neither laws nor commissions created |
nder them will etfectually reform many |
nd glarng abuses of the civil service. The |
Drmer have been constantly evaded, and the |
after ara powerless for good. An honest |
Executive bent on real and not simulated re-
orm has abundant authority to make it |
ffs tive everywhere if he has the capacity |
D see his duty and the courage to per-
Drm it.
SUBSIDIES.
Experience has demonstrated that subsidies
4 any form are sources Of corruption and |
ught to DO forbidden. Private enterprises |
hat depend for success upon legislation pro-
ured BY venal agencies do not deserve public |
tvor.
PUBLIC LANDS.
More than Sl50,000,000, principal and in
crest, have been voted by Congress to rail-
Dad corporations The remaining lands
hould be sacredly reserved for cultivstors of
he soil, so that the laboring man shall have |
chance to improve his condition and to
pen up future for his children away from
he seductions Of great cities.
REVISION OF THE TARIFF.
Tariff practically means taxation, ard all
axa.ion not equitably adjusted is odious.
" lille interest on an oppressive public debt, |
re pensions earned with the blood of soldiers |
Ind sailors who fought for be UniOn, and
egular expenses of carrying Oh the govern
nent are TO be met, duties on imports must |
continue l., furnish one of the sources Of rev.
nue. 81 long as those duties are levied |
will be benefited according to |
o the degree or mode in which |
luties may be distributed. The ex:
sting tariff is regarded as confused mass of
and monopolies created by spe-
,ial legislation and open to constant fraud on |
he revenue. 1t taxes the consumer heavily |
IN those articles especially that are most |
ieeded by the tolling masses; 1t taxes every |
newspaper, every school.book, every bible,
md the salt OF the workingman with gross
INJUSTICE, because the poor pretence of
'evenue dos not exist to cover the |
wrong. revisiop. therefore. which shall |