Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-09-13

the semblance, at least, of an inter
change of business, while they abandon
our consumers to the unreStrained op-
preston of the domestic trusts and com
binations which are in the same plat
form perfunctively condemned.
They propose further to release entire
ly from import duties all articles of for
eign production Except the luxuries),
the like of which cannot be produced in
this country. The plain people of the
land and the poor, who scarcely use ar
ticles OF any description produced ex-
cluSively abroad and not already free,
will find it difficult to discover where
their interests are regarded in this prop
osition. They need in their homes
cheaper domestic necesSarieS, and this
seems to be entirely unprovided for in
this proposed scheme to serve the cOun-
try. Small compensation for this neg
lected need is found in the further pur-
pose here announced and covered by the
declaration, that if after the changes al
ready mentioned there still remains
larger revenue than is requisite for the
wants of the government, the entire in
ternal taxation should be repealed
rather than surrender any part of our
protective system"
Cur people ask relief from the undue
and unnecessary burden of tariff taxa
ton now resting upon them. They are
offered free tobacco and free whisky
They ask for bread and are given
stone.
The implication contained in this par
ty declaration that desperate measures
are justified or necessary to save from
destruction or surrender what is termed
our protective system, should confuse
no one. The existence of such a system
is entirely consistent with the regulation
of the extent to which it should be ap-
piled and the correction of its abuses.
OF course, in a country as great as
ours, with such wonderful variety of
interests, often leading in entirely diff
ferent directions, it is difficult, if not
impossible, to settle upon perfect tar
iff plan.
But in accomplishing the reform we
have entered upon, the necessity of
which is so obvious, | believe we should
not be content with a reduction of reye-
nue. involving the prohibition of import
ations and the removal of the internal
tax upon whisky. 1t can be better and
more safely done within the lines and
granting actual relief to the people in
their means of living, and at the same
time giving an impetus to our domestic
enterprises and furthering our national
welfare. If misrepresentation of our
purposes and motives are to gain crc-
dence and defeat of our present effort
in this direction, there seems to be no
reason why every endeavOr in the future
to accomplish revenue reform should
not be likewise attacked and with like
result.
And yet, no thoughtful man can fail
to see in the continuance of the present
burdens of the people and the abstrac-
ton by the government of the currency
of the country inevitable distress and
disaster. All danger will be averted by
timely action. The difficulty of apply
ing the remedy will never be less, and
the blame should not be laid at the door
of the Democratic party if it is applied
too late.
With firm faith in the intelligence and
patriotism of our countrymen, and rely
ing upon the conviction that miSrepre
sentation will not influence them, preju-
dice will not cloud their understanding
and that menace will not intimidate
them, let us urge the peoples interest
and public duty for the vindicatiOn of
our attempt to inaugurate a righteous
and benefcent reform.
GROVER CLEVELAND.