The Irish standard., 1888-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

In his message to Congress last Tues
day, President Cleveland called partic
ular attention to the grievances which
now exist from high protective tariff.
we give that part of the message which
bears directly upon the tar 1T. The
farmer and laborer will find meat in
these reflections ofthe President:
1.-The grievance Of those not included
with the circle of these beneficialies,
when fully realized, will surely arouse
Irritation and discomfort. Our farm
ers, long~sutfering and patient. strug-
CLING in the race of life with the hard
est and most unremitting toll, will not
fail to see, in spite of misrepresenta-
tions and misleading fallacies, that they
are obliged to accept such prices for
their products as 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 compensa-
ting favor, they are forced by the action
of this government to pay, for the bene-
fit OF others, such enhanced prices for
the things they need that the scanty
returns of their labor fail to furnish
their support or leave no margin for ac-
cumulation. Our Workingmen, ep-
franchised from all decisions and no
longer frightened by tbs cry that their
wages are endangered by just revi~
sion of our tariff laws, will reasonably
demand, through such revision, stead
ier EN- ployment, cheaper means Of ]iv-
ing in their homes, freedom for them
selves and their children from the chain
Of perpetual servitude, and an open
door to their advancement beyond the
limits of a laboring class. Others OF
cur citizens, whose comforts and ex-
penditures are measured by moderate
salaries and fixed incomes. will insist
upon the fairness and justice Of cheap
ening the cost of necessaries for them
selves and their families. When, TO
the sellshness of the beneficiaries OF
unjust discrimination under our laws,
there shall be added the discomfort Of
those who suffer from such discrimina-
ton, we will realize the fact that the
beneGcient purposes OF our government,
dependent upon the patriotism and
contenrment OF our people, are endan-
gered.
Communism is hateful thing, and a
menace to peace and organized govern
ment. But the communism OF COM
binod wealth and capital, the outgrowth
OF overweening cupidity and selfshness,
which insidiouslY undermines the JUS.
tice and integrity of free institutions,
is as dangerous as the communism OF
oppressed poverty and toll, which, ex-
asperated by injustice and discomfort,
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 laboring people. Any intermedia-
try between the people and their gov
eminent, or the least delegation Of the
care and protection the government
owes to the humblest citizen in the
land, makes the boast Of tree 1nstitu-
tions glittering delusion and the pre-
tended boon Of American citizenship a
shameless imposition.
A just and sensible revision Of our
tariff laws should be made for the re-
lief of those Of our c0untrymen who
suffer under present conditions. Such
a revision should receive the support OF
all who love that justice and equality
due TO American citizenship; Of all who
realize that that in this justice and
equality our government finds its
,,ranrth and its power to protect the