The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Whnt Lse Says on the Tariff.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
what He Says ON the Tariff.
To the Congress Of Mt United States:
As you assemble for the discharge of
the duties YOU have assumed as the re-
representatives. of II tree aud generous
people, your meeting is marked by an
interesting aud impressive incident.
AT the expiration of tho present ses-
sion of the congress the first century of
our constitutional existence as n NATHAN
will be completed. Our survival for
100 years is hot sufficient to assure us
that We no longer have dangers TO fear
in the maintenance, with all its prom
ised blessings, OF a government found
ed upon the freedom of the people.
The time rather admonishes us to
soberly inquire whether i'll the past
we have always closely kept in the
course OF safety, and whether we have
before us a way plain and clear which
leads to happiness and perpetuity.
When the experiment of our govern
ment was undertaken the chart adopted
orr II guidance was the constitution.
Departure from the lines there laid
down is a failure. II is only by a strict
adherence to the direction they ndi-
cate and by restraint within the limi-
tations they fix that we can furnish
proof 10 the world of the capacity OF
the American people for self-govern-
ment. The equal and exact justice OF
which we boast as the underlying
principle of Our institutions should not
be confined to the relations OF orr
citizens to each other. The government
itself is under bond TO the American
people that in the exercise OF its func-
tons and powers it will deal with the
body of our citizens iD q manner
scrupulously honest aud fair and alb
solutely just. 1t has agreed that
American citizenship shall be the only
%credential necessary to justify the
claim of equality before the law and
that no condition in life shall give rise
to discrimination in the treatment OF
the people by their government.
PAST AND PRESENT COMPARED.
The citizens of our republic in its
early days rigidly insisted upon full
compliance with the letter of this bond
and saw stretching out before him a
clear field for individual endeavor.
Ills tribute to the support of his gov
ernment was measured by the cost OF
it's economical maintenance and he was
secure i'm the enjoyment OF the remain
ing recompense of his steady labor
and coutented to it. In those days the
irugality OF the people was stamped
npon their government and was en-
forced by the free, thoughtful and in
telligent suffrage of the citizens. Com
binations, mouopolies and aggreSatiOns
of capital were either avoided or sternly
regulated and restrained. The pomp
and glitter of governments less free
offered no temptation and presented
no delusion to the plain people, who
side by side in friendly competition
wrought for the eDnoblement and dig
nifty of man,, for the solution OF the
problem of free government and tor
the achievement of the grand destiny
awaiting the land which God had
given them.
A century has passed. Our cities
are the abiding places OF wealth and
luxury; manufactures yield for
tunes never dreamed OF by the fathers
of the republic; our business men are
madly striving in the race for riches
and immense a~ggregstions OF capita
outrun the imagination in the magnl
tude of their undertakings.
We view with pride aud satisfaction
this bright picture of u country't
growth and prosperity while only q
closer scrutiny develops a sombel
shading. Upon more careful inspec
ton we find the wealth and luxury o
our cities mingled with poverty ant
~wretchedness and unremunerate to it
A crowded and constantly increasing
urban population suggests the impoyer
ishrnent of rural sections and disconten
with agricultural pursuits. The tar
mer's con, not satisfied with his father
, simple aud lsbori0us life, joins hi
!, eager chase for easily acquired wealth
We view the achievement OF aggregated
} capital; we discover the existence o
: trusts, combinations and monopolies
while the citizens is struggling far II
the rear, or is traInpled to deaf be
meath al iron heel. Corporations wbicI
q should be the carefully restraine'
8 creatures of the law and the servant
of the people are fast becoming tn
peoples masters.
GOVERNMENT PLEDGES BROKEN.
Still congratulatiDg ourselves upo
the wealth and prosperity OF the cour
try aud complacently contemplatin
every incident of change inseparsbl
from the conditions, it is our duty q
patriotic citizens TO inquire, at th
present stage Of our progress, how Tn
bond of the government made with tn
people has been kept and performed
l Instead of limiting the tribute draw
[ from our citizens to the necessities
its economical administration, I'll
government persists in ~exacting froi
9 the substance of the people million
which, unspplicd and useless, lie do
. mant in its treasury. This flagrai
9 injustice and this breach of faith all
obligation add to extortion the dauge
[ attending the diversion of the currenc
Q of the country from the legitimat
: channels OF business. Under the sam
laws BY which these results are pre-
Q duced the government permits man
millions more I o be added to the co,
of living of our people and to be take
from our consumers, which uDreason;
n bly, swell the profits of small but pow
eff | minority. The people must sti
be taxed for the support of the govern
ment under the operation Of tart
laws. But to the extent that the ma'
of our citizens are Unfortunately bu
dened be\ ond any useful public pun
"a pose, aud for the benefit of a favore
% few, the government, under preteXt
D an exercise of its taxing power, enter
u gratultously into partnership with the'
q favorites, to their advantage, aud
the injury of a vast majority of o.
70 people. This is not equality before Il
y, - law.
81 ARROGANCE OF a FAVORED FEW.
a. 4, The existing situation is injurious
50 the heath of our entire body pOliti
1t %stiflns in those for whose benefit it
" permitted all patriotic love of count
% and Substitutes in its place selfish gree
BE- and grAsping avarice. Devotion
az American citizenship for its " saI
O5 and for what it should accomplish as
motive TO our nations ADVANCING
81 and the happiness of all our people
displaced by the assumption that t
government, instead OF being the el
bodiRent of equality, is but an instr
he mentality through which especial a.
O. individual advantages are 10 be game
he The arrogance of this assumption
unconcealable. 1t appears i'll the Sc
l.N Az Rn ,,N a.