Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-08-14
Communicated.

Editor Spirit Of Jefferson:
In your issue of July 31st, in pub
fishing the proceedings of the Dem
ocratic State Convention lately held
at Lynchburg, by reporting that con-
vention adopting a resolution favor
ing Tariff for Revenue only, YOU
have unintentionally wronged that
body of gallant and noble men. It
is said that the adverb ''only'' in this
sentence defeated Hancock. The
Democracy of Virginia does not pro-
pose repeating this blunder, and the
resolution that 1cGs adopted was ,one
entirely the opposite to a tariff of
revenue only. 1t is identical to the
resolution adopted by the Ohio con-
vention, and will in all probability
express the views of the Democracy
in the next National Convention
here it is:
ave favor a tariff for revenue,
limited to the necessities of a Govern
ment economically administered, and
so adjnsted in its application as to pre-
vent unequal burdens, encourage
productive interests at home, and
afford just compensation to labor,
but not to create or foster monopolies.
Let. us briefly examine the two
propositions. A tariff for revenue
only precludes all ideas of protection.
The duties therefore that are levied,
must necessarily be on such articles
that are not products of our country
tea and coffee for instance. A ia
riff simply for revenue, for the sup
port of the government, the duties
would be levied on articles that COM
pete with home prcduction-wool as
an example.
The difference, as I understand it,
between the two great parties on this
question is this: The Democratic
party favors tariff, revenue being
its object, and of amount just sufficient
for the expenditures of the govern
ment. The protection to home in
dustry that must necessarily result,
being mere incident.
The Republican party favors ia
riff: because it supplies the means of
creating and fostering monopolics.-
Protection being the object, and the
one-sixth of the vast sums collected
that is sufficient to pay the necessary
expenses of the government, being
the incident. In other words, the
Democratic party favors revenue
tariff and the Republican party a pro-
lection tariff.
The Republican party in Congress
being under the influence and control
of the manufacturers of the North, the
tariff law was framed for the pur-
pose of making the agricultural por-
ton of the country-thc West and
South-tc bear all the burdens of tax
alton, and the New England States to
receive all the benefits. The South
particularly feels this burden. De-
MED protection to her cotton, and
forced to pay two prices for cotton
ties and the various implements of
agriculture, this great branch of in
dustry is crippled to satisfy the in
satiable greed of these great robbing
corporations of the North.
The tariff question will, in all prob
ability, be an issue in selecting a
Speaker of the next House of Repre-
sentatiyes. Mr.. Randall, represent
ing the extreme protection view, ex-
poets to be supported by members
who were elected by people who
have been, for the last twenty years.
robbed by the Republican party, with
Mr.. Randall's assistance, to put
money in other peoples pockets.
Will he receive such support? We
shall see.
LITTLE MASSACHUSETTS.