Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-05-17

noble Impulse given 10 THE cause OF Tree Crdue
by the repeal Of the tariff Of 1912 and the
creation of the more equal, honest and pro-
ductive tariff of 1916 and that in our opin-
ion it would be a fatal error to weaken the
bands of political organization by which
these great reforms have been achieved and
risk them in the hands of their known ad-
versaries, with whatever delusive appeals
they may solicit our surrender of that Vlgl-
lance which is the only safeguard ofllberty."
1852.
The Democratic Convention Of 1852
"Resolred, That it is the duty of every
branch of the Government to enforce and
practice the most rigid economy in conduct
ing our public affairs, and that no more
revenue ought to be raised than isrequired
to defray the necessary expenses of the Gov
ernment and for the gradual but certain eX-
tinction of the public debt.
"Resolued, That in view of the condition
of popular institutions in the Old World, a
high and sacred duty is devolved with in
creased responsibility upon the Democracy
of this country, as the party of the people,
to uphold and maintain the rights fevery
State, and thereby the union of States, and
to sustain and advance among them consti-
tutional liberty by continuing to resist all
monopolies and exclusive legislation for the
benefit of the few at the expense of the
many."!. , ...l8 - :.r. i
In 1856 the Democratic National Conven-
ton
"ResolUed, That justice and sound policy
forbid the Federal Government to foster one
branch ofindustry to the detriment ofanoth-
er or to cherish the interests of one portion
of our common country"
r. 4oI hot 10 ret
luton quoted above Of the Convention Of
1852, and then it
"Icesolyed, finally, That there arequestions
connected with the foregn policy of this
country which are inferior to no domestic
questions whatever. The time has come
for the people Of the United States to de-
clare themselves in favor of a free seas and
progressive free-trade throughout the world,
and, by solemn manifestations, to place their
moral influence at the side Of their success
full example"
In 1860 both the Douglas and Breckin-
ridge platforms reaffirmed the resolutions
of 1856, quoted above.
1864.
In 1864 the continuation of the civil war,
which made imprudently high duties neces-
sary to- raise sufficient revenue, precluded
the necessity Of discussing the extraordinary
and willingly endured burdens imposed by
it on the people of the Northern States, and
nothing was said about the tariff.
1868.
The Democratic Convention of 1868 de-
manded:
SO. Payment Of all the public debt of the
United States as rapidly as practica ble-all
the money drawn from the people by taxa
ton, except so much as is requisite for the
necessities of the Government, economically
administered, being honestly applied to
such payment.
&c. A tariff for revenue
upon foreign imports and such equal taxa.
ton under the internal revenue laws as will
afford incidental protection to domestic
manufactures, and as will, without impair
ing the revenue, impose the least burden
upon and best promote and encourage the
great industrial interest of the country"
1872.
In 1872 the Democratic Convention $50
caled) at Batimore-which was in fact
Greeley and not a Democratic Convention
at all-did not adopt any Democratic reso-
lutions, but endorsed the platform of the
Liberal Republican" Convention held at
Cincinnati, which contained the following
curious declaration making the tariff "a
local issue :" .s
X \ eve remit the discussion of the sub
(iect protection and free trade) to the people
in their Congressional districts and the de-
cision of Congress thereon, wholly free from
Executive interference or dictation."
This is the only hiatus in the chain of as
sertion by the Democratic party of the doc
trine of a tariff for revenue only. 1t re-
suited in the shameful defeat of Il candi-
date supported by the party in defiance
alike of principle and of policy.
1876.
In 1876 the Democratic Convention spoke
with no uncertain voice:
eve denounce the present tariff, levied
upon nearly four thousand articles, as
masterpiece of injustice, inequality and
false pretence. 1t yields a dwindling, not
a yearly rising revenue. 1t has impoyer-
ished many industries to subsidize few.
1t prohibits imports that might purchase
the products of American labor. 1t has