The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1888-02-16
TARIFF DISCUSSION.
The Great Question Debated by
the Changers.
Papers Read by Esqr. Pontius, H. r.
Packer and Lewis Essig in the Hall
Over the Farmers' Bank Last a
Saturday Afternoon.

saturday afternoon III Grange HAIL,
above the Farmers Bank, and that the
tariff was to be discussed as to. the way
it affected farmers, the DEMOCRAT was
represented. Lewis j. Wise was pre-
siding as Worthy Master" and Esquire
Pontius was reading his paper, thus
opening the discussion. About thirty
representative farmers were present,
all attentive listeners.
When Mr.. Pontius got through, II.
r. Packer followed with paper from
the protection standpoint, which occu-
pied about half an hour Mr.. Packer
attributed the growth and prosperity of
the country to the protective tariff; and
panics and business stagnations III the
past to the lack of proper protection.
1t was not little singular that Mr..
Packer did not refer nor allude to the
panic of 1873 and the stagnation and
general bankruptcy that prevailed for
years after, all under his beautiful pro-
lection. This omission only gave evil
dence of Mr.. Packers shreWdness and
was silent acknowledgment of the ut
ter failure of his panacea. Mr.. Packer
also forgot to mention the tramps that
travelled the country during that peri
cd. But such facts are stubborn things
to protectionists, and they show their
wisdom in lodging them entirely.
With some people, facts are of no CON
sequence, if they endanger their delu-
sion. ,.,
Mr.. Lewis Essig followed Packer and
read a paper that was listened to with
interest, also showing care and study in
its preparation. This paper will ap-
pear in the DEMOCRAT, probably to-
morrow. ti'
Mr.. Wilson, of Nimishillen, followed
Mr.. Essig in some off-hand remarks,
and Oh the invitation of the Chairman,
Mr.. McGregor spoke few minutes.
Mr.. Shaub followed, and when about
to take his seat, was asked if he fav-
ored collecting more money from the
people than the government required.
He replied that he did not The ques-
tioner remarked that was the question
and the issue.
The whole affair was conducted with
good feeling and passed off agreeably.
The discussion may be continued, and
if so, the DEMOCRAT will announce it.
We append the
PAPER READ BY A. PoNTIUs, ESQ.
WORTHY MASTER AT our last
meeting, under the head of suggest
ions for good of the Order" 1t was de-
termined that at this meeting it should
be the special order of the day, to dis
cuss a subject which is now engaging
the attention, not only of the Patrons
of Husbandry but all classes of our
+ people namely, the subject of
TARIFF REVISION.
In order to discuss this question
prohtably from the agricultural stand
point-it is necessary to examine some
what the relation which agriculture
sustains to the community generally,
and to the other ayocations Of our
people.
That we may truly exemplify the
noble precepts of our order "To be
great in all our dealings with our fel-
low man." it will be necessary to aScer-
tain what natural rights belong to the
citizen, irrespective of his avocation;
and also his required rights by virtue
of his association with society. 1t is con-
ceded at least in our country that the
NATURAL RIGHTS OF MAN
are life, liberty and the pursuit OF hap
niness. If therefore one man was the
sole inhabitant of the United States, it
could fairly be said that he was in
nosition to enjoy all his natural rights
nndisturbed, but as soon as another
man would come in, it would become
necessary to make some arrangements
hetWeen them by which each would
agree to curtail or restrain in some
depree his natural rights for the benefit
of Roth. and thus elch would possess a
privilege or rights acquired by virtue
ef their association. On this principle
ali human society is organized. But
unfortunately the tendency il. the affairs
of mankind is toward the development
of classes and consequent
oPPREs sSION AND TYRANNY.
To avoid this condition of things,
Governments are instituted among
men AS the government of our own
country is the one which concerns us
most it is proper that we examine the
motives and principles which were en-
hraced by our people in the organiza-
tion of our government; and by refer
ence to its history, we find that the all
absorbing idea was "to do equal and ex
ACT Justice to all men, of every state
and 0lrsuasion, religious and political"
With this idea our people imbued with
the spirit of liberty justice and patriot
ism adopted the fundamental law of
the land with the noble declaration that
awe the people of the United States
in order to form a more perfect union,
ESTABLISH JUSTICE
insure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defense, promote the
general welfare and secure the
Blessings of liberty to ourselves and
our posterity, do ordain and establish
this constitution" Here then we have
contract by which all the people OF
the United States are sacredly ana III
honor bound to see that justice IS done
to every citizen, and that the general
welfare may be promoted. In pursu-
ance of this contract it becomes neceS-
sary to enact certain laws by which
the ends before enumerated, are sought
TO be attained and preserved; among
which are laws of taxation. For in the
nanapement of the affairs Of the people
NV the government instituted by them,
tie necessary expenses must be paid,
and it is patriotic duty OF every cltl-
zen to cheerfully contribute his proper
share. This, believe, is conceded to be
@ A FAIR PROPOSITION.
But as has been the custom of our
government to levy taxes on certain
Imported commodities and allowing
others to come in free. it is claimed
that byso doing certain industries of
: our country are favored at the expense
f injury of others. This brings us
3slr me question of tariff taxation. How
should it be laid so as to be just and
eauitable to all the people2 presume
L will not be denied that if it were
laid in this way, it would promote the
general welfare, as contemplated by
the fundamental principles just cited.