Middletown transcript., 1888-12-06

our progress, now the bond OF the govern
ment made with the people has been kent
and performed.
THE TRIBUTE OF THE PEOPLE.
Instead of limiting the tribute drawn
from our citizens to the necessities of its
economical administration, the govern
ment persists in exacting from the SUBJ
stance Of the people millions which un-
applied and useless lie dormant in its
treasury. This fagrant inj ustice and this
breach OF faith and obligation add to ex-
tortlon the danger attending the diversion
of the currency of the country from the
legitimate channels of business.
Under the same laws by which these
results are produced, the government
permits many millions more to be added
to the cost Of the living of our people and
to be taken from our consumers, which
unreasonabiy swell the profit of a small
but powerful minority.
The people must still be taxed for the
support of the government under the op-
Grafton of tariff laws. But to the extent
that the mass of our citizens are inordin-
ately burdened beyond any useful public
purpose, and for the benifit ofa favored
few, the government, under the pretext
-of an exercise of its taxing power, enters
gratuitously into partnership with these
favorites, to their advantage and to the
injury of vast majority of our people.
This is not equality before the law.
PRESIDENT Cleveland has submitted
his valedictory. The press of the Ma
tion has commented on it, some dis
some applaudingly +; but to
a Democrat, and a believer in Tariff
Reform, that portion of the message,
which contrasts the aim and in
tent Of the constitution when framed |
one hundred years ago, with its practi-
cal workings to-day as instanced by
the effect Of High Tariff legislation
and the Capitalization of wealth and
power in the hands of a comparatively
few Of our fifty five millions, and this
1ispite the apparent prosperity assumed
by the superficial observer, cannot fail
20 furnish matter for serious reflection.
ind a problem to solve most weighty
n its deductions. Our county is strong,
strong even in the integrity of purpose
which stamps the actions Of those who
nay be termed our opponents, regard
ng the theories Of government but
What we believe to be their total mis-
Of the results Of certain
onditions, will in our judgment being
bout crisis in our affairs, which
Vill require all our boasted patriotism
0 relieve. The strength of Republics
! rather in the simplicity of their in
,itutions; and this must be in fact, as |
ell as in name; and a comparison Of |
10 practical workings of the constitu-
on of England, unwritten as it is, with i
lat of our own, will indicate nearer [
'proach to liberty and equality under
le former, than is found. under the
tier. How far this condition of s
ings has been Influenced or brought
,out by the persistence of the govern 8
ent Sin exacting from the substance :,
the people millions which unap- c
led and useless lie dormant in its t
or further, to what extent
9 Republican Party is responsible E
this persistence, is to our minds a v
bject for careful reflection rather is
an useless invective. And we be- 81
We also that such reflection will be
'gely aided by the demonstrations Of :.
licy made easy to our protectionist Sd
ends during the next two, and four m
ars, during which they have in their cT .,
nds first the entire reins of govern th
mt, and latterly the Executive. If q
the one hand our anticipations have
foundation in fact, results will jus Pr
our opponents in their theory. If da
are correct, then are we justified. Pc
It'll then in the language of the
ssage. SIT (the issue) should never
W