The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-12-08
HIS LAST MESSAGE.
President Cleveland's Final Important
Communication to Congress.
The Tariff. Pension. Fisheries and
other Questions Dweit Upou

70 congress-. Az II fnluminOus uOculncnt
OF about 10000 words and deals very fully
with the questions under discussion. Follow
tng Is a summary of the document:
10 the Congress OF the United states:
"As You assemble for the discharge OF the
duties you have assumed as the representa-
tiNcs OF free and generous people your
meeting Is marked by an interesting and inn
prcssiye incident, With the expiration OF
The present session OF congress the first CEN
fury OF our constitutional existence as q ma
ton will be completed.
"Our survival for one hundred years Is not
sufficient 10 assure us that we no longer have
dangers n fear In the maintenance, with all
Us promised blessings, OF a government
founded on the freedom OF the people. The
time rather admonishcs us 10 soberly inquire
whether IN The past we have always closely
kept IN the course ~ safety, and whether we
have before us way PLAIN and clear which
adds 20 happiness and perpetuity When the
experiment OF our government was under
taken the chart adopted for our guidance was
the constitution. Departure from the lines
there laid down is failure. III Is only by
strict adherence % the direction thew indicate
and by restraint within the limitations they
fixed that we can furnish proof 10 the world
o; the fitness OF the American people for self
government
After dwelling for considerable length up
on the growth and prosperity OF our country.
the President strikes upon the subject Of
trusts, pools and monopolles. He speaks
thus OF the conflict between capital aud
labor:
eve discover that the fortunes realized by
our manufacturers are no longer solely BY
reward Of sturdy industry and enlightened
foresight, but that they result from the dis
terminating favor OF the government and
are largely built up on undue oNacilon from
tho masses OF orr people. The gulf between
employers and the employed II constantly
widening, ana classes are rapidly forming,
one comprising the very rich and powerful,
while IN another are the toiling poor. As
we view the achievement OF aggregated cap
ital we discover the existence OF trusts, com
binations, and m0nOpOlcs, while the citizen
Is struggling far In the rear, or X tramplcd
10 death beneath aa iron heel. Corporations,
which should be the carefully restrained
creatures of the law and the servants Of the
people, are fast becoming the peoples mas
ter. still, cOngratulating ourselves upon
tho wealth and prosperity OF our country.
aud conplaccntly contemplating every incl
dent Of change inseparalbe, from these condi-
lions, ~ IS our duty rs patriotic citizens 10 in-
quire ~ the present stage OF our progress
how the bond Of the government made with
the people has been kept and performed.
'tlnstead OF limiting the tribute drawn
from our citizens 10 the necessities of is
economical administration the government
persists IN eNacting from the substance OF
the people millions, which, unappled and
useless, lie dormant In its treasury. This
iiagrant injustice and this breach OF faith and
oDlkAiloN aNu ID tNtpfIpu the DANGER hl-
tending the diversion OF the currency OF the
country from the legitimate channels OF bus
mess. Under the same laws by which these
results are produced The government permits
many millions more To be added 10 the cost
OF the living OF our people, and 10 be taken
from our consumers which unrcasonably
swell the profits OF n small but powerful
minority. The people must still DC taxed
for the support ~ thc-goycrnment under the
operation Of tariff laws, but 20 the extent
that the mas, OF our citizens are inortinate-
~ burdencd beyond any useful public pur-
pose. and for the benefit OF a favored few
the government, under preteXt Of an exer-
else OF is taxing power, enters gratultously
into partnership with these fov0ritcs 20 their
advantage and 70 the injury OF vast major
ity OF our people,
CONDITION or THE NOTTINGHAM.
The President then draws vivid picture
OF the condition OF the farmer and the work
ingman under the protection policy. He
then continues: Communism Il a hateful
thing, and a menace 10 peace and organized
government. But tine communism or COM
bincd wealth and capital, the outgrowth OF
oyerwecning cupidity and solilshness, which
insidously undermincs the Justice and integ-
rity OF fires Institutions, IL not less dangerous
than the commission OF oppressed poverty
and toll, which, eXaspcratcdby injustice and
discomfort. attacks with wild disorder the
citadel OF rule. He mOcks the people who
proposes that the government shall protect
iha rich, and that they in turn shall care for
tho lahoring poor. Any Intermediary be-
tween the people and their government or
tho least delegation Of tho care and protection
the government owes 10 the hlmblcst citi-
zen In the land makes the boast Of free inst-
tutions glttcring dcluslon and the pretend
ed boon of American citizenship shameless
imposition.
"a Just and sensible revision Of our tariff
laws should be- made for the relief OF those OF
our countrVmen who suffer under pres mt
conditions. such revision should receive
the support OF all who love that justice and
equality due To Amcric an citizenship, OF all
who realize that In this justice and equality
our government finds its strength and it,
pow er TO protect the citizen and his property,
OF al Who believe that the rentcaicl compe-
tcnCc and comfort ~ may accord better with
the spirit OF our institutions than colossal
fortunes unfarey gathered In the hands OF
few, of all who appreciate that The fOrbear-
ance and fraternity among our people, which
recognize the value OF every American inter-
est, are The -urest auarantesof our national
progr ss. and ~ all who desire 90 see the pro-
duct 81 American skill and ingcnutym every
market ~ the world with resultant rostor-
alton OF American commerce."
REDUCTION or THE REVENUE.
After drawing attention 10 the necessity Of
reduction In the tariff the message con-
ilnues as follows: Existing evils and I'M
justice should be honestly recognized boldly
met. and effectively rcnicdcd. There should
bc no cessation OF the struggle until plan IN
perfected, fair and conservative toward OK
isting industries, but which will reduce the
cost 20 consumers OF the necessarics OF life,
while it provides for our Manufacturers the
advantage Of freer raw materials and per-
mits no Injury 10 the interests Of American
labor. The cause for which the battle Is
waved is comprised within lines clearly and
Distinctly defined. IL should never DO COM