The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-08


firm and prudent foreign policy, proving
peace with all nations, while scrupulously
maintaining all the rights and interests
OF our government and people at home
and abroad.
The exclusion from our shores of Chi
ncse laborers has been eiiectually secured
under the provisions OF treaty, the ope-
ration OF which has been postponed by
the action of Republican majority in the
Senate.
Honest reform in the civil service has
been inaugarated and maintained by
President Cleveland and he has brought
the public service 10 the highest standard
OF efficiency not only by rule and precept,
but by the example OF his own untiring
and unseltish administration OF public al
fairs, etc.
In every branch and department OF the
government under Democratic control the
rights and the welfare OF all the people
have been guarded and defended every
public interest has been protected, and
the equality Of all our Citizens before the
law, without regard to race or color, has
been steadiastly maintained.
Upon the record thus exhibited, and
upon the pledge OF a continuance 10 the
people Of the benefits OF Democracy, IL in.
vokes a renewal OF popular trust by the
reelection of chief magistrate who has
been faithful, able andprudent; to invoke,
in addition to that trust, the transfer also
10 the Democracy OF the entire legislative
power The Republican party, controll-
ing the Senate and resisting in both Houses
OF Congress the reformation OF unequal tax
laws which have outlasted the necessities
OF war and are now undermining the
abundance of long peace, denies to the
people equality before the law aud the
fairness and Justice which are their right.
Then the cry of American labor for n bet
ter share in the rewards of industry with
false prctcnsc enterprise is fettcrcd and
bound down to home markets; capital is
discouraged with doubt, and unequal, un-
just laws can neither be properly amended
or repealed.
The Democratic party will continue,
with all The power confined % il, 10 strug.
gle 10 reform these laws, in accordance
with the pledges Of is last platform, in
dorscd at the balot.box by the suilragcs
OF the people. OF all the industrious free.
men OF our land, the immense majority.
including every tiller oi the soil, gain no
advantage from excessive tax laws, but the
process Of learning everything they have
increased by the iayoritism Of an unequal
system Of tax legislation. Allunncccssary
taxation is unjust.
IL is rcpuguant 10 the creed Of Dcmoc-
racy that by such taXnions the cost oi the
nccessarics Of life should be unjustiiinbly
increased To all our people. Judged by
Democratic principles, the interests OF the
people are betrayed when, 10y unnecessary
taxation. trusts and combinations are per-
mitted 20 exist, which, while unduly en-.
riching the few that combine, rob the body
of our citizens 10y dcpriving them OF the
benefits Of natural competition. Every
Democratic rule Of governmental action
Is violated when, through unnecessary
taxation, q vast sum of money, far beyond
the needs Of an economic administration.
is drawn from the people and channels oi
trade, and accumulated ~ n dcmonlizing
surplus In the national treasury Tho
money now lying idle In the federal treas.
ury, resulting from supcr!luous taxation.
amounts 10 more than Sl2i, Goa, 600, and
the surplus collected is reaching the sum
OF sGO.0O0,ODO annually. Dcbauched by
this immense temptation, the remedy OF
the Republican party IL 10 meet and cX-
haust, 10y cXiravagant appropriations and
expenses, whether constitutional or not,
the accumulation Of extravugant taNason
The Democratic policy is 10 enforce frugal
ity in public expense and abolish unneccs-
sary taxation. Our established public in
dustrics and enterprises should not. aud
need not be endangered by the reduction
and correction Of the burdens Of taxation.
On the contrary, q fair aud careful rcyis-
ion OF our laws, with due allowance for
the difference between the wages OF
American aud foreign labor, must pro-
mote aud encourage every branch Of
such industries and enterprises, by giving
them assurance Of Rn extended market,
and steady and continuous operation. In
the interests Of American labor, which
should In no event be neglected, the ne
vision Of our tax law, contemplated by the
Democratic party, should promote the al.
yantnges OF such labor hy chcapcning the
cost OF the nccessarics OF life In the home
Of every workingman, aud at the same
time securing TO him steady and rcmuncr-
alive employment. Upon this question Of
tariff reform, ~ closely concerning every
phase Of our national life, and upon every
question involved In the problem Of good
government, the Democratic party submits
It's principles and professions 10 the intclli.
gent suiTragcs Of the American people.
Mr.. wATrERsoS's Address.
Upon the completion Of the reading Of
the platform, Hon. Henry Wattcrson, who
had taken such conspicuous action in lis
construction. arose ON the platform 10
speak In lis support. lie was greeted with
round after round Of applause from the
delegates on the floor and the spectators In
the galleries. When the gaycl Of the
chairman had AZ last brought the conycn-
ton 10 order, Mr.. Waiterson said
"Mr. Chairman aud Fcllow.Dcmocmts-
We bring to you a platform upon which
Democrats may stand without feeling that
they are away from home. Laughter aud
applause. IL embraces q declaration Of
principles 10 which the Democrats may
subscribe without looking around the cor
ner. Laughter and cheers. IL cmbodics
a statement Of facts incontroycrtiblc.
[Cheersl II delocalizcs the cause Of re-
form aud gives 10 Il q language which may
be spoken alike in New Jersey and Iowa
[chcen and cries ''good"l Ia Massachu-
sctts and In Texas. Renewed cheers.
It's face Il set In the right direction. and
Us eyes look upon the rising, not the set
ting sun. IA loud oulburst Of applause.
Gentlemen, the language Of agitation is
one thing lapplausel, the hands Of con.
struciion Is another thing. Applause. ]
Thanks TO Grover Cleveland tchccrsl the
attention Of the county, woocd by others 10
long In vain, Is fixed at last. [Cry Of
'goodl"l Upon a remedy Of real instead
Of the imaginary evils arising out Of q state
Of war, ihcnccforward tho Democratic
party which has been the voice, will be-