Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-06-14
THE NORTHWEST
Hypocrisy.

The Republican party in national conven-
tion assembled condemned the Democracy
for failure 'to relieve the people of the bur.
den of unnecessary taxation by wise reduc
tion of the surplus" Let it be remembered
that when that boomerang was hurled the Re-
publicans had the Presidency and the United
States senate, while the Democrats had only
the lower house of congress. The Democrats
were condemned for not doing that which
the Republicans, while for twenty years in
complete control of the government, failed
TO accomplish themselves. While condemn
ing the Democracy for failing to carry into
effect what was an impossibility without Re-
publican consent the Republicans virtually
condemned themselves or their party record
by declaring that "the Republican party
pledges itself to correct the irregularities of
the tariff and to reduce the surplus" The
Republican condemnations and pledges as
simulate like water and oil.
The Democratic party pledged itself to a
reduction of the surplus by reduction of a
redundant tariff. The two parties do not diff
fer i'll the main upon this question in the
phraseology of their expressions, but it is
evident that they differ materially in the
spirit and meaning in which they adopted
these reform planks in their platforms. 1t is
not question of free trade, as there is no
one who believes for moment that the gov
eminent could be carried on without a tariff.
1t is self evident fact that such tariff must
and will be kept up as will sustain our manu-
factories and protect labor. A discussion of
free trade is therefore irrelevant. 1t is the
question of the surplus, the result of burden,
some taxation. Here is where the division is
made between the two parties. Our Repub-
Gcan friends want to squander this accumu-
Rtion of taxes upon useless defenses and
other wildcat schemes. The men who are
honestly laboring for reformation of the
tariff do not agree upon the best means for
settlement of the question. AS to surplus
Jefferson says: Sound principles will not
Justify our taxing the industry of our fellow
citizens to accumulate treasure for wars to
happen we know not when, and which might
not perhaps happen but from temptations
offered from that treasure" jefferson was a
protectionist, but he saw the danger of an in
ereasing surplus which threatened the busi-
Resss of the country in 1901 and with charac-
teristic foresight gave timely warning.
While our Republican friends agree that
the tariff should be reformed they put in a
provision that it should be reformed by ''its
friends" Let US see who are its friends.
Nearly eleven million voters exercised their
right of franchise three years ago in voting
for President, both parties demanding re-
formation of the tariff in their platforms.
Evidently the people had comparatively no
confidence in the pledge of the Republicans,
as majority voted to sustain the Democrats.
The Democrats own property, pay taxes and
have as much interest in sustaining their
country as have their Republican brethren.
The Democratic party and their leaders for
two generations back have ever been the
frisnds of wise and judicious tariff. With
% ost of the Republican leaders self seemed
10 come first, party next and the country last
They are opposed to the wiping out of the
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disposal money for every conceivable scheme
and job that presents itself. These men are
the sworn enemies of an honest tariff. What
ever efforts they make towards reduction of
taxes would be made on luxuries as against
food, clothes and the common necessities of
life.
President Cleveland represents his party
and the country in his honest and able effort
IN the direction of tariff reform. His party
sill stand by him and the American people
viii stand by him. The Republican leaders
are unfit to do this great work.