Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1883-11-24
AN B

Some of the opponents to the cleo
ton of Mr.. Carlisle say that if he ii
chosen speaker all customs duties will
be abolished-wiped out at n fel
swoop. Now that would be too bad
wouldn't it? Seriously, such talk ii
the veriest nonsense.
Mr.. Carlisle stands with his party OF
the platform of a tariff for revenue
only-not upon a free trade platform
not upon a platform Of no tariff; bu1
upon one that declares that duties shall
be levied for revenue. The constitution
authorizes no other tariff. MI. Car
Isle, and the democratic party, say
that upon each article taxed the amount
of tax laid by congress shall be based
purely upon the consideration of reve-
nue.. There will always when this is
done be some incidental protection.
The democrats insist that the degree OF
protection must be the incident and
not the primary object of the tax. The
republican position is the reverse Of
this. They say it is right to protect
manufacturers at the expense of agri-
culture; that it is proper to legislate
dollars out of Toms pocket into that of
Dick for ne consideration. Democrats
believe in the equality Of all men under
the law; republicans believe in special
privileges to the rich and powerful.
Mr.. Carlisle's speeches on the tariff
are masterpieces of rhetoric and sound
argument. They can be found every
where. We challenge the production
of a single line that he ever wrote that
places him in the position of desiring
to wipe out the tariff.
The infantile absurdity Of such q
proposition is manifest when 1t is re-
membered that the revenu from the
tariff last year was $19s, l59 ,676 OF.
We are particular about the two cents,
as people who haven't more wisdom
than to accuse Mr. Carlisle Of a design
to abolish the tariff might net think the
rest Of the sum mentioned important
without it. The truth is, that q tariff
laid for rerenue will greatly reduce the
taxes upon the n~ecessaries Of life
blankets, woolens, and other such
things), while it need not materially
decrease the revenue. This may seem
to be a paradox, but it is a very SIM
pie truth. 1t will, beside, leave mill
lions Of dollars in the pockets of the
people that now go into the too pie
thoric pouches of the manufacturing
barons of the east.
By what right are they favored over
other people If they receive millions
bounties, then in all justice pay sim
liar bounties to the farmer. If we are
to have a paternal government pray do
not let it be a father to the manufac-
turer, and a step-fsther, and a mighty
mean one at that, to all its other chill
1ren.
Mr.. Carlisle is the right man for
for the reason that he favors
he hemely old platform, "Let every
:ub stand on its own bottom" He is the
light man, also, because he says, "No
Tree whisky or free tobacco until we
IAN have free blankets, hats, coats and
People who favor the abolish
nent of the taxes on whisky and to-
,acco in order that the taxes may be
zept high on iron, wooden goods of all
hats, shoes, glass, lumber, SC,
advocate Mr.. Randall for speak
#. Those who are opposed to abolish
ng the taxes on whisky and tobacco
favor the election Of Mr.. Car
isle. They need not fear, for very
many years, the adjustment of a tar
If. While we have a debt of a thous-
md millions OF dollars we can scarcely
Expect to get along without customs
axes. When that debt is paid, gradu-
lily, as it should be, will be time
'nough to argue, in practical, every
lay, common-sense, businessman pol
tics, the question of absolute free
rade.