The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-10
EX-GOy. ALBERT s. MARKS.
HIS SPEECH LAST NIGHT ON THE
BLUFF.
The Blair Bill and Tariff From n
Strict COnstructl0nist
Standpoint.

the city yesterday morning, ard deliv-
eied a ringing speech On the bluff last |
pight. o account Of the continued
political excite ment Of the past two
we ks, the audience was not as large
as il would otherwise have been. He
W introduced by Judge r ]. Nor
gan, who paid handsome tribute to
his character as a man and his power
as an orator, abiding in compliment.
a,y terms TO his kind treatment Of
Memphis during the epidemic. AS
Governor he took his seat at a time
when ihe State debt had already be-
gan 10 divide the Democratic party in
Tennessee. In his message be urged
a settlement ON the basis at which 1t
WIS eventually ACCOMPLISHED. He took
part in defeating the 1908 bill in the
lirg ton that followed. He ok an
&c iva part in the Democratic Conven
ton of 1882, and aided in securing har-
n.ony and the pla form on which the
debt wss finally reduced to quiescence
as State Issue.
The speaker pluu ged at once into
the two main questions of national
issue-the tariff and the Blair bill.
To ~ is p In he delivered an Analysis
OF the national conetituio. HIS
strongest point in reference 10 the
Bla bill was the necessity Of chang.
ing he contribution of the United
Stst s be fora Congress could claim the
power 20 Distribute tie surplusale
among the States, reinforcing this
position hy reciling the r, commends-
ions ci Jefferson and Jackson. He
quoted the eat leader and founder
OF the Wing party, when, in 1910, this
precise point came under review, pro-
testing against the existence OF any
power taxing the people for vedis'
triaution in any form. In referring
to the tariff the Ex-Governor was not
less forcible, saying tbs language Of
the Chicago platform was 30 clear as
to speak for Itself, though his ters9
illustrations made its meaning clearer,
by common consent, than was ever
done b fore Shelby county audience.
Passing 10 the pensions question he as
serted that II had bten Systematically
used To turn Democratic votes toward
the perpelualion OF the Republican
party. When the people created the
constitution they understood full well
the dangers which surrounded 1t.
They knew lis integrity could be main
tanned alone by peIpslu2i struggle and
vigilance. They knew the point from
whence the assault would come, and
with rare foresight and surpassing so.
licitude they raised up every possible
barrier for its protection. The evi.
dence OF this fact has been perpetu-
ated in unmistakable form. In the FIRST
session OF Congress, when every fact
connected with the origin OF the con
stltution was fresh in the minds OF the
members. Mr.. White, from Virginia,
said the avowed object OF the Fed
eral party was 10 substitute the dis
erection OF Congress for the constitu-
ton, and the r publican party avowe
a like object Here is the great diff
ference between the Democratic and
Republican parties, aud as certain as
wood grows and the waters
run, the conflct must go on
until the Republican party or
the constitution falls TO rise no
more. During the twenty-iour yeats
1t was in power, there were no re
served rights OF the States or people
too sacred for it's assault, 1t deprived
the people OF their properly without
war; ant of law. II sought to deprive
a large class OF our citizens Of the OPP.
portunity 10 make bread for them
selves and families. 1t drove free citi-
Eeus from the jury box and the ballo.
box. II subve ted State governments
by military iorce and permitted the
people TO be deprived Of their prop
erly and rights by irresp tyran-
MES. 1t impeached President b
cause he defended the constitution
1t refused TO allow the peoples Presi-
dent to take his Office, aud usurped IT
for itself. 1t discrowned the people
and the constitution aud usurped the
government for itself. II has sought
to perpetunte its power by bribery
and deception. 1t has ground the
face OF tbs people 10 enrich fav Jred
clsss. Il never surrende ed military
power until ii WIS com gelled, and
now II claims public confidence alone
on the ground thai it is the ouly
friend OF the laboring man aud the
inlet cred child. In the war with the
sword the const tut on triumphed, and
in the war with the purse the con-
siitution will again triumph The
temptation the Republican party OF
iers IL trem ndcus. Many believe IL
would overcome the fortitude Of the
people. May valiant soldiers of
Democracy have falteled. TIER grsst
mistake was the want of coDfden, 0
IN the people in the fscs OF this eat
tmptation. But with that virtue
and patriotism which has always dia-
tinRnished the Democratic people OF
the Union, they stand forward aud
declare that they have set no price on
the constitution, aud neither silver
nor gold can buy il. The tem ptstion
held ont ia the most seductive possi-
be. Ii uDites in itFelf the power Of
gold, end that infiuiie good, popular
educ zion The answer is here Is no
power 10 give the gold, and If the
States Ore not equal to the tax Of
educltion, then amend the Cousitu-
ton 50 as to authorize such git and
prohib'i'g Cong'ets from attaching
any ccndui)rs 10 the gift whatsoever.
Ia the pilt offered by the Blair bill
conditions are annexed TO the Rift.
II Coogi' SO have the power to make
tpe silt 1t al, /, may II AXE IL on such
terms 50 cnoo Q, aad change tho o
tetms Il every session Of CouEIe,s IL
is certain, o, il he Republican party
asa'n quir,s MIRO of the povsTn-
ment, IL will mnke il a ,ordi-
lion that the schools shall be
open 70 whi6 and black alike.
l beiiev. IL would be- ungIse, per
hats uneo.itiuli ma, FIR the Federal
GovsTnm ny to impose taxes for tho
purpoi eoi c,'lecigg more monty than
If Necessary 20 cary on is aflare, TO
the md ths' it might have surplus
to dist ihute amo g The States; but
this faud stands oua different ground
It trnst fund which belongs, not
TO tbs Fyderal but 10 the State gov
ernments. On the subj Ct Of taxation
the plincpes OF the Rtpnhlican party
arc alsl in direct conf ct with the
Gov stitu'ion.