The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-07-01
Baltimore Day
The Presidency and the Tariff.

There is manifest disposition on the part of
reasonable Democrats to agree n compromise
in regard 10 tariff reform that will avoid un-
srcmy contention and bitterness in the coming
national convention Since there is no one who
expects or desires sudden and sweeping changes,
il is not difficult to reach agreement that W i'll
satisfy all those except those determined not to
be satisfied. The election of Mr. Carlisle az
Speaker and the vote the Morrison bill de
mOnstlated cOnclusvely that very large ma
jority of democrats determined s0nae re-
duction in the tariff and some reform of existing
laws Any attempt by the minority to prevent
declaration to this effect will and ought to
produce strong feeling and positive action in the
convention. On the other hand since it is clear
to erybody that only moderate changes can be
made during the next four years, there is no ne
cessity for insisting on strong statements of alb
stract principle offensive to the minority in
the platform. The present position of the ma
jority OF Democrats and the proper attitude for
them to assume toward protectonsts in their
own party were admirably stated by Senator
Bayard in his great speech of July, 1882, when
in summing up, ne said
The constitution of the United States, the con-
sttuliOn of every State in the Union, | believe
of every civilized State, written or unwritien,
provides that private property may be taken for
public use upon just compensation being rem
dered therefor but where was the converse of
that principle ever admitted-that public prop.
erty can be taken for private use? There is the
heresy, there is the danger Into that ! do not
say crminally, do not say unpatriotically, hut
naturally and selfishly, | believe favored class
in hQ haf n -Ha an
unequal distribution Of the burdens of taxation
rests upon the American people They have
been unjust as between ourselves, and they are
dangerous and deleteriOus even to those in
whose behalf they have been laid. They are
imposing to-day strain upon our social and
political fabric which should not be continued.
| would be glad to-day to go heart and hand
with those of my fellow citizens who have a
share in these undue privileges in order that
they should themselves, by taking part IN the
reform which am satisfied ought to come and
is to come, prevent it from being violent or ex-
treme am not in favor of incOnsderate and
hasty change; am not in favor of abrupt and
violent disturbance of established business, OF
tearing down and destroying property and
rights of property which have been invested
under the faith of existing law, but we must
now take up this question in spirit OF justice
We should go into high council on
this subject and endcavOr, when we are exercis-
ing this sovereign power OF great people, the
power to tax, to tax in discretion, and take heed
that it is done strictly and solely for the purposes
and objects for which that power was delegated
to Congress under the Federal constitution.
This is the spirit as well as the method by
which alone the Democratic party can be
brought into any real harmony and sincere
agreement in this matser. We speak now from
the standpoint of an advocate of very radica
change in our tariff laws. The Day supported
Mr.. Carlisle for the spcakership and urged thu
passage of the Morrison bill But it does no
wish 10 he needlessly ultra in this matter Il
does not demand that the Democratic party shall
commit itself noD To the policy which the Dal
does not expect to see fully established for ter
or fifteen years yet and we are therefore read.
tn Weld something for the sake of Cancellation
| but we do not, on the other hand, propose t.
| submit to the sort OF compromise reached be
tween the man who preferred linen sheets ant
his wife, who preferred cotton. and who finall
settled their quarrel by compromising o
liuen." Something must be said at the coming
convention about the tarif, and the party mus
he pledged to correct its notorious inequalite
and to reduce it to some extent, and the bes
thing the protectionists can do is to honestl
narticipate in this effort with view as M
Bsyard saya. to preventing it from becomin
violent or extreme.