The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-09-18
Opening Speech Of MIR. Hendricks.

Opening Speech Of Mr.. Hendricks.
of the campaign in Indianapo-
lis was held on the night of August 80.
Al address was first read to Mr.. Hen
bricks from the committee in charge.
Mr.. Hendricks, in replying, said he
recognized the duty of speaking frankly
and without concealment. He asked
their attention to the necessity and inn
portance OF revenue reform. The power
to levy and collect taxes ne regarded as
among the highest and most response
BILE attributes of government. In au-
swer to the question, How far may Gov
ernment go in the exercise of the pow
er to tax the peoplep he said tnat all
should freely and cheerfully answer
that there shall be no limitation and re-
straint this side the absolute and entire
maintenance of public authority, with
all its faculties and functions unim-
paired. Whatever the Government can
lawfully do. and of right should do, the
taxpayers will furnish it the means to
accomplish. Beyond this is the prov
ince of private right, to invade which
is usurpation. The Government econ
omically administered shall be sup
ported.
Mr.. Hendricks referred. then to the
war, at which time taxation was neces-
sarily and rightfully increased But
when the war ceased and its conse-
quent expenditures had passed the ne
cessity for a war standard of taxation
passed. But it had been continued.
He cited the message of President Ar
thur in 1884 to show that the Chief Ex-
ecutive himself, notwithstanding he
was the head of the party, called for
revenue reform. But Congress gave
no heed TO the recommendation. In
his annual report (3d December last
the Secretary of the Treasury estimates
the surplus for the current year at
$50, 100000 and adds: $50 the question
still presses-What legislation is neces-
sary to relieve the people of unnecessary
taxesp''
Mr.. Hendricks, answering the Secre-
tary's question, replied: Eyes, it is the
question of $50, 900 unnecessary
taxes in one year. The accumulation
is constant. Continuing, he said;
"Revenue reform must come from 9TH
er quarters. 1t can not come from
the representations of favored classes,
who ask inequality in legislation that
there may be unjust inequality in the
profits OF the varied pursuits of the
people"
He gave an exhaustive review of the
principles enunciated by the platform
of the Chicago National Democratic
Convention, concluding that, swher
expressed in the laws, their beneficieni
influence will become active and uni.
versal. Lower taxes will signify light
Ell burdens upon the people; money re.
turning to the channels of trade; enter.
prise restored and stimulated; renewed
demand for the products of industry,
and the consequent increased demand
for labor and universal prosperity. I
the $500. 100000 now locked up in the
Treasury were restored to the channels
of trade and commerce, who can doubt
that labor would find employment and
the Manufacturer market for his fab
resp
Touching upon the condition o
American ocean commerce, he said il
was disgraceful. Practically there was
no merchant marine. The obituary O
the American navy is written in the
tariff and shipping laws He cited Sen
ator Harrison, a Republican, in proc
of his assertion that our navy is rottins
down. He asked what party held tht
reins while these things were going on
and asserted that nothing in The. .histo
ry of the Democratic party could b.
brought out to show that it was op
posed to the maintaining of the navy
What remedy he asked, " for tn,
correction of abuses in public affairs Cal
there be except in change in the con
troll and management of public affjairsP'
He appea ed to their Judgment that
change was necessary. Suspicion justi
fed the conclusion that the ways ar
dark. The books should be opened.
Mr.. Hendricks then asked their at
tention to the probable foreign policy Q
the Presidential candidates. The Soutl
American policy of Mr.. Blaine was no
of a nature to Justify the supposition-
as claimed-that he would be eithe
American or dashing. People knew
well enough what vote that was in
ten led to catch, but it would fail. II
| quoted the Democratic platform on tn
foreign policy which would be carrie,
out in case of the election of their candi
date, and stated the policy that tn,
| Democratic party had carried out whel
| it was in power. Let ne said, 18th
| merit of this claim be decided upon tn
| comparison and contrast of two cases
one under Demn cratic administration
and the other under Mr.. Blaine as Sec
retary of State.
! On the one side was the Martl
Koszta case, in 1849. He was not eve
a citizen of the United States. Engage
| in the Hungarian revolt against Aus
tria, he fled to the United States. II
declared h intention TO become Il cit
zen, but never completed his naturaliza
tion papers. Returning to Europe, h
was seized by Austrian eIuissaries. Hi
release was demanded and refused. A
American sloop of war was prepare
for action. and by the prompt and EN-
phatic steps of the Government he wa
released and remanded to the Unite
States. This was during the Demo
cratic Administration of Frankli
Pierce.
In striking contrast he referred [
the case of McSweeney, which occurre
when Mr.. Blaine was Secretary of Stat
in the Cabinet of Mr.. Garfield. He sale
sit is not alleged that McSweeney ha
committed any crime or violated an
law. He being an American citizen, b
Immediately forwarded his naturaliz;
ton papers, together with solem
protest against this British outrage, t
the American Minister at London. Mr.
McSweeney's communication and AZ
peal were made to the Secretary {
State direct while Mr.. Blaine held ths
Office, and when, as i suppose. he ws
in the discharge of many of the dutie
of the President. That appeal was nC
answered, nor was the Minister at Lor
don instructed to give 1t attention
The case received no attention at th
State Department until Mr.. Blaine ha
retired from office, which was, as l III
derstand. in December following, fou
months after Mrs. McSweeney's al
peal was received"
Mr.. Hendricks closed his speech wit
a very complimentary allusion to GeN
ernor Cleveland and the favorable in
preston that gentleman had mad
upon him.