The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-05-06
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
VARIOUS TOPICS DISCUSSED
,n.n,y w"R.H n. G."


To the Editor of the Dispatch
The only possible issue between s,,N' e. th ne.
Democratic and Republican pa', les Is tarll,
for revenue on the part OF tne ioIiler anu
protection on the part OF tne m..sr. Inc
southern question has been SO ehect'laliy
settled there can be no issue on that
point. FOR the bloody shirt finds respon-
siye echo in no part OF the country. Re-
form ON anv other issue than tariff reform
will mot answer: for the most partisan
cannot deny that there has been vast re-
form In the Republican party from the
time OF Grant. when all from the Presi-
dent down TO the lowest official were ty-
rannical and corrupt, TO the present time,
when no new scandal OF any moment dis
graces the Administration. On this cry
the Republicans can beat us easily, for they
can clearly point to great reform already
accomplished.
On any other issue than tariff for reye-
nue. OILY the Democratic party absolutely
has no standing whatever. IL VIII be
laughed out OF the Court OF Public Optn'
ion. Hence. unless we can get up some
issue OF rrinciple between the two partiCt
the contest will be between the outs
striving TO turn ont the ins. but with the
Democrats endeavoring to prove they are
better protectionists than the Republicans
themselves. In such q contest the ins have
all the advantage, and they will keep it.
But now comes along the Democratic
party and offers well-defined cause OF con-
test-and that il, taxation for revenue only
against taxation for protection-n othcl
words. taxation solely for the expenses OF
the Government against taxation Tor Inc
benefit Of individuals, for no man Will con-
tend that protection benefits all equally,
and nasmuch rs it does not benefit al
equally il is TO that extent Tor the beneDl
Of individuals. This issue is clear and
distinct, and the vast majority OF the party
as represented in Congress present II tc
the country IA the Democratic platform
not indeed rs perfect work. but as
beginning and as an earnest OF the III
ture. The Democratic party arraign'
protection as violating the principles
npon which our Government is founded,
for that procaims equality, both OF privi'
lepe and OF burden, OF all Of its citizens
while protection, by its very nature, intro
duces inequalities by favOring the makers
of iron, glass, and other wares at the eX
pense of the consumers OF these articles
IL saws TO the people OF the South: Yot
are forbidden to buy cotton and wooller
goods and the numberleSs other articles
| New England manufactures, except IRON
their manufacturers, and you shall pa
them not what YOU can buy them for II
England or elsewhere, but you shall pay
i'm addition n bonus to them OF from 30 t
100 per cent. 1t also says yoI shall no
buy iron i'm all its various forms and g.ls
unless you pay an equally heavy bonus t
PENNSYLVANIA. Now, where is the justice
OF tbiss Is this the boosted equality IL
which we live? Let any candid man asl
himself this question, and be will answer
il is worse than robbery, for tue whole
power of the Government, which was in
stituted for the equal benefit Of every in
diyiduaI and Of each section, Is invoked
and employed for binding one part o
the country so that another may bleeC
if in safety. | can understand how
the selfishneSs OF human nature lead
the people OF New England and PcnnSyl
vanis to laud this system, for 1t brings
them vast wealth: for what is profitable L
generally applauded by its beneficiarleS
But how 4 great party which was orlgL
nally founded on the grand ana bench
cient principle of the equality OF every
man before the law can hesitate to attach
such an abuse is. beyond my comprehcn
sion. The Republican parry is the part
Of manufacturers. bondhOlders, and CAPT
taiists OF every description and it is onl!
natural that it should defend the abuses OF
which its supporters thrive and grow rich
| but il the Democratic party, which has al
ways been the party OF the people, SHOULD
fail to attack them. it would show Il blind
ness so dense as to lead TO the BELIEF thai
it was struck with judicial blindness.
But, thank God, the party has at last
gotten its eyes open, and but for Mr.. Ran
| dali. who has been 4 Republican in dis
guise for many years, and who will soon
| land in their camp. and a small band OF FOL
lowers, falsely STYLED Democrats, the Demo
cratic party would have on its passage Z
bill Invested OF all protective features, and
would in consequence be at the beginning
OF a run which would carry IT triumphant
| ly into the full possession OF all the powcr'
OF the Government. And such tariff
| levied solely with a view to revenue, would
necessarily he largely protective. owing tC
the vast necessities OF the Gov eminent. for
many wears to come. Mr.. Randall is using
all his influence for the purpose OF pre-
| venting the Democratic party doing a sin
Gle thing in the way OF correcting the enor
| NOUS abuses OF our revenue laws, aud II hC
succeeds. the party is irretrieyably defeat
ed. In his opinion there is more prOSp
OF success with about 140 dissatisfied mem
bers Of Congress, and with his 40 in tho
ascendant. than with these 40 bold ant
aggressiye'and his 40 lukewarm.