Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-05-27
Communicated.

Editor Spirit: hypocritica1
self-stylcd party of high moral ideas,
in convention at Martinsburg, fully
sustained its reputation rs deceiver
and misleoder of the people. A Aparty,
however, whose very name is lie to
its acts, cannot be expected to deal
fairly and openly. Let us briefly
notice what the Nartinsburg conYen-
ton favored: 1st. Z" We favor q
Tariff. that will protect the farmer,
mechanic and laborer." /" The ques-
ton arises, 1rh0t tariff could protect
the farmer? Not the present system,
because through it he is forced to
compete with the whole world for the
price Of his grain, whilst the manu-
facturcr has no competition whatever,
(even the little duty on wool was
taken off and added to wooden goods;
by this same g. o. p.) Agricultural
and manufacturing interests are made
antagonistic. The farmer is robbed
by excessive taxation to support tho
manufacturer. The bulk of the Re-
publican party of this State arc tho
colorcd voters,-farm laborers-and
if any particular class could be ben
Gifted by low tariff, it is them. Their
wages could by no possible way bo
decreased, whilst everything they
need (except their whiskcy, and they
and zee ought to have that free) could
be bought at half its present price.
Morrison and his associates blum
dered stupendously. Why attempt
thing even if it should pass the House
it could not the Senate. Then again,
it was not what the people want.
They want the necessities Of life on
the free list,-particularly those ar
ticles that are not produced in our
country-and duty on the luxuries
of life and those articles that compete
with home productions sufficient to
pay the necessary expenses of the
government. The horizontal reduce
ton of Morrison's is not the remedy
for the ills we all suffer. If made the
law it might increase instead of de-
creasing the revenue. at any rate,
it is dangerous thing for the De-
mocracy to handle. Too many peo-
pie fear that any change will be to
their injury, and would rather bear
the ills they have than "1y to others
they know not Of" We had better
get in power first, then try the cxper-
iment.
The Republican party favor high
tariff not to protect the labor of the
country, but to build up monopolies,
thereby giving unjust advantage to
the few over the many, so that when
campaign opens this ''favored few"
will contribute literally. 1t is by
money obtained in this manner that
the Republican party has kept itself
in power. But l digress. My OBJ
ject is to show how far this party of
81 high moral ideas" will go in deccp-
ton. Another resolution was, eve
favor the granting of public lands to
actual Settlers" overlooking the fact
that 100,O00,0 900 acres of the best
land had been granted to the rail-
roads by Republican administrations.
Another resolution reads something
like this: By our party legislation
we have a Treasury filed to reple-
tion"-but failed to state that it was
obtained by over-taxation, by making
Oue stcklOh OF Tue country bear all
the burdens Of taxation and another
section TO receive all the benefits.
1t is nothing surprising. that they
favor the National Bank System, as
this is another great engine that keeps
them in power. But The statement
that it fills all the requirements of tho
people, is in keeping with all other Of
their declaTafio1s 4oIoa Cocoon
hacker who. uDites with this party,
must necessarily make q complete
surrender OF his principles. Its said
such \ coalition has been made. Will
some Greenbacker explain? Fearing
I may tire you and your readers, 1
will close by subscribing myself a
JEFYERsoNIAN DENocRAT.