The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1883-12-26
A TARIFF FOR REVENUE ONLY.


f Republican, therefore rotative, its
expenses must be only for the time
being, as needed. If monarchial,
therefore hereditary or subject to a
its expenses are unlimited.
Taxes are subject to the same rule.
In Republics the people being tho
controllers of the government and the
dictators of what course the govern
ment shall follow as we'll as its chan
ees, taxes are only levied for the actu-
al use necessary to keep the govern
mental fabric in motion; a surplus
fund or the boarding of treasures are
unnecessary, as the government is con-
changing. The legislator OF
to-day returns to the ranks Of a citizen
tomorrow, and the taxes which he
might levy when governing, would be-
come onerous on himself when becom-
ing again one of the governed. In
monarchies the ruler levies the taxes,
not only to meet the expenses Of his
court and government, but also to give
him means wherewith to protect him.
self against domestic and foreign enc
mics. His employees and officers be-
ing subject to his will only, are re-
warded and paid according to his
wishes; as opposed to Republic where
all salaries are fixed by law and all
employees changed at each recurring
change of the government.
Starting from that governmental az
ION it follows that the revenue Of C
Republic must be graded on it's OK
penses.
If the taxes are so levied and the
revenue SO arranged that no accumula-
ted treasures are left in the hands of
the government for unlawful purposes,
the people can rest in peace and the
Republic is safe. For money is pow
er, and money is the only lever which
can be used with advantage to sub
vert a popular form CT government.
The history of all nations proves it,
Each nation in its turn taking its place
among the governments of the world
started as Republic or popular gov
eminent, simple in form, economical in
its wants, it kept aggrandizing and en-
riching itself, until abandoning its
early traditions it found itself one day
unclaimed to the will OF a King.
We are drifting in the same current
the same destiny seems to await us
Enriched beyond calculations Ran6
prosperous bepond belief, we find thai
a score of years has almost entirely
changed our government. With sala
ries doubled, with an array of en-
ployees numerous enough to people 6
whole State, with pomp and a dis
play second to no monarchy in exis
tence, we swallow every year the reve
nues from fifty millions Of people ant
from country as unlimited in its re
sources as it is vast in extent.
One branch of our government, tn,
highest, the Senate, has ceased to ranl
for it's talents and it's craftsmanship
it is the home Of the millionaires. Til,
brains of the Websters, the Clays ant
the Bentons have given place to tn
money of the monopolists and protec
tionists.
Under system Of protection AM
monopoly, backed by our government
colossal fortunes have arisen who's
combined millions control all the com
mercial values Of the country.
The produce Of the husbandman
the stock from our vast prairies, tn
cotton and sugar of the planter, tn
relative value of the lands we live O,
are no more governed by the laws 0
supply and demand; but manipulate
a ring of millionaires the fuctuate &C
cording to the interest of the specula
tor.
A government they own, an owe,
flowing treasury they can draw from
are but part of the system whicl
they are gradually ENGRAVING in thi
country,
They are the ones who cry for pro
lection. Protection for what? Not Ger
tainly for the millions which they hav
ground from the people; not for tn,
monopolies which they use only TO-
their selfish ACKNOWLEDGEMENT; not fo
the per cent. on per cent. which thu
consumer pays them.
Strike at the revenues of the coun
try-reduce them to basis which vii
ensure safe administration of the
government, but at the same time leave
no margin for speculation or corup
ton, and you have laid the axe at the
root Of the evil.
Without money no plotters can en-
danger our government, but with 6
system of revenue and taxation which