The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
HE DIES CANT.

Cleveland ReVIses His Tariff Ideas q
Little, but Insists on Free Trade
The SENATOR'S Comments on the Last
state Document.
The President appears to have learned
only one thing from the campaign or
the tariff question.
One wear ago he asserted that to the
extent of the tariff beyond the needs oil
the government it increases the cost OF
articles produced here, for the benefit OF
a favored few.
Ii was shown during the debates over
and over again that instead OF protec-
ton increasing the cost OF articles. 1t
develops competition and lessons the
cost but keeps the money here instead
OF sending it abroad. -,
So now the President modlhes his
statement by saying that to the extent
that the masses are Unfortunately burden
ed beyond any useful public purpose, the
Government enters gratultously into
partnership with the favored few.
This is a little more plausible but no
nearer true, and he is SO wrought up be
cause few receive large benefits las
thew do also in free trade countries) that
he fails wholly to see the greater bene-
fits to the many. He says:
while cougratul Iting ourselves upon
the wealth and prosperity Of our coun-
try. and complacently contemplating
every incident of change inseparable
from these conditions, it is our duty as
Patriotic citizens to inquire, at the pres
ept stage OF our progress, how the bond
of the government, made with the peo-
ple. has been keI and lformed. In
stead of limiting the tribute drawn from
our ci liens to the necessities OF lis
economical administrator. the govern
ment persists in exciting from the sub
stance of the people millions which, I'M
applied and useless, lie dormant III the
treasury, This fligrant injustice and
this breach of faith and obligation add
TO extortion the danger attending the
diversion of the currency OF the country
from the legitimate channels OF ousl-
ness.
"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 unreasonably swtl the prohts OF
small but powerful minority Inc
people must still be taxed Tor the sup
port of the government, under the ope
ration of tariff laws, but to the extent
that the mass of our citizens are lnordl-
nattly bur lt ned beyond any useful pup
lie purpose, and for the beueht OF
favored few, the government, under
pretext of an exercise OF It's taxing pow
er. enters gratuitously into partnership
with these favuiites To their advant age,
and to the injury OF vast majority OF
-,
the law.
cine existing situation is injurious to
the health of our entire body polite. 1t
STILES, IN those for whose benefit 1t Is
permitted, all patriotic love of country,
and substitutes in its place selfish greed
and grasping avarice, devotion to
American citizenship FOR its own sake
and for what it should accomplish as
motive to our nations advancement aid
the happiness of all our people is dis
placed by the assumption that the gov
eminent, instead of being the embodl-
ment of equality. is but an instrument
tality, through which especial and indi-
vidual advantages are TO be gained. The
grievances of those not included within
The circle of these beneficiaries, when
fully realized, will surely arouse lrrlta- |
ton and discomfort. Our farmers, long |
suffering and patient, will not fail to see
in spite of misrepresentation and mis-
leading fallacIes, that they are obliged
TO accept such prices for their products
rs are fixed in foreign markets, where
they compete with the farmers OF the
world; that their lands are declining in
value while their debts increase; and
that without compensating favor, they
are forced by the action of the Govern
ment to pay for the benefit OF others
such enhar ced prices for the things they
need, that the scanty returns of their
labor fail TO furnish their support, or
leave no margin for accumulation. Our
workingmen, no longer deluded by the
cry of lower wages, will demand ,thro'
such revi ion, steadier employment,
cheaper necessities, freedom for them
selves and children from the doomtof
perpetual servilude, and an open door
to their advancement beyond the limits
of a laboring class. Citizens of mode
rata salaries and fixed incomes will so
insist upon cheapening the cost of ne
cessities. When to the selfishness of
the henpficiaries of unjust discrimina
ton is added the discomfort of those
who suffer, we shall realiZ5 that the
BEN ficent purpose of our government
il endangered. Communism il hate
ful thing. and menace to peace and
ORGANIZED government; but the commu
nism of COM med wealth and capital.
the ouigrowth Of overweening cupidily
and Sc fishness which insiduOusly under
mines the ju,tice and integrity of free
institutions, is not less dangerous than
the communism of oppressed poverty,
which, exasperated by injustice and dis
content. attacks with wild disorder the
citadel of rule. He mocks the people
WHO proposes that the government shall
protect the rich, and that they, in turn,
will care for the lasorlng poor.
"a Just and sensible revision of our
tariff laws should be made for the relief
of those OF our countrymen who suffer
under present conditions. Such re-
vision should receive the support of all
who love that justice and equality due
to American citizenship; OF all who
realize that in this justice and equality
our government finds its strength and
its power to protect the citizen and his
property; of all who believe that the
conten ed competence and comfort OF
many accord better with the spirit OF
our ins:itu ions than colossal fortunes.
unfairly ga hered in the hands of few
who appreciate that the forbearance and
fraternity among our people, which
recognize the vtlIe of every American
interest, are the surest guaranty of our
national progress; and of all who desire
to see the products of Amer can skill
and ingenuity in every market Of the
world with a resulting restoration Of
American commerce.
The necessity for revenue reduction
ia generally conceded, but The means
and benefit to result present an import
ant controversy. No appa' ent removal
only OF the burden of taxation should be
tolerated. neither extravagant approprl-
atoms. Existing evils and injustice
should be honestly recognized, boldly !
met and effectively remedied. There
should be no cessation of the struggle |
until a plan is effected; fair and con
servative towards existing industries,
reducing the cost of Decessaries, provid. |
ing free raw materials and permitting no
injury TO labor. 1t is the peoples cause, |
and should never be compromised"
Reviewing the tariff portions OF the |
message above, the Herald says THE |
President makes statements which are
40 absolutely false that they scred
Their his intelligence or his veracity.
An example Of this is the assertion that
our farmers are obliged to accept such
prices for their products as are fixed by
foreign markets. He ought to know
that not one-tenth OF the surplus Of our
farms goes abroad. More than nine
tenths are consumed at home. Every
farmer knows that the more he can in