The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-07-17
LIE DEMOCRATIC PLATFoRM.

THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
We p9blish on cur outside this IS
sue the Democratic Platform adopted
at Chicago. The Platform Win com
mend itself to the Democratic voters
and the independent voters Of tho
country. 1t Is lnng, but 1T Is clear.
1t says what it means, and means
what II rays.
The only serious division in the
Committee on Platform and Resolu-
tions occurred on that portion Of the
Platform relating to the Tariff. This.
serious divieion caused the Tariff
plank Of the Platform to be longer
and more cumbersome than it other
wise would have been Gin the interest
of Democratic unity and harmony
but there was no concession Of Prii-
cipql on the part of Tariff Reformers.
We have had prote ctive Tariff un-
der Republican rule for moro than
twenty years. During that time
many American industries and inter-
ests have been led TO rely and depend
upon the Tariff. There are many
men in the Democratic party moved
by interest TO advocate the doctrine
of Protection. There are many others
in the party deceived and mislea,l into
a support of the same doctrine upon
the false and hypocritical idea that it
protects laborers and working men.
There arc many others in the party
practically forced to vote against their
will for its support, Hence MANY
plausible arguments could be Offered
in favor Of the doctrine Of protection
to secure party success but the COM
mittee on Platform, and the conven-
ton at Chicago, while recognizing
all these, and approaching the impor-
lance of harmony, and hence cOnccd-
ing something in the verbiage and
method Of statement, yet rigidly in
sisted on and adhered to the priucIple
that all taxation whether in the way
of Tariff Taxation OF otherwise should
be strictly within the limits Of the
revenue required, and exclusively
for governmental purposes.
A large amount must necessarily
be raised by Tariff Taxation in order
to meet expenses Of the government
and the national debt, and in fixing
this fair and just judgement viii
have due regard to all interests, and
place rs far as possible, the duties on
Injuries aud not on necessaries-so
says the platform aud this is right.
But the idea and doctrine of protec-
lion is absolutely excluded from the
Platform. There is not one word
any where in the Platform, which
would give the doctrine of protection
any foothold IN the Democratic party.
The Republican party IS committed
to a protective Tariff The Democratic
party has squarely taken issue wirh
them. The former expects to sue
ceed by the support of the large man
utacturins and other corporations
akin in interest, and by deceiving
thelr mborers and employees.
The latter appeal to the sense and
justice of the public upon the broad
principle that no man shall be taxed
for the benefit Of any other man,
but that all should be treated alike by
the government, upheld and support
ed alike by all.
The interest of every individual
voter in the United States as we'll as
his moral duty, is plain.
The real issue is individual action
and interest against combined or cor
porate action and interest.
Every rule has its exceptions, but
subject to exception we may say that
every farmer in the United States
and every individual in the United
States not connected with some inter
estCd corporations or combination of
capital certainly ought to favor the
the Democratic policy on this ques- |
ton. We believe an overwhelming
majority do so.