The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-09-20

=
tribution were accomplished another accunu-
lation would soon take lis place if the con-
slant flow of redundant income was not
checked at its source by reform in our pres
ent tariff laws.
We DO not propose to deal with these condi-
tions By merely attempting to satisfy the
people of the truth of abstract theories nor
by alone urging their assent to political doc
trine We present to them the propositions
that they are unjustly treated i'll the extent
Of present Federal t~xation, that as a result
a condition of extreme danger exists, and
that it is for them to demand n remedy and
that defense and safety promised III the guar
antees of their free government.
We believe that the same means which are
adopted to relieve the treasury of its present
surplus and prevent its recurrence should
cheaper to our people the cost OF supplying
their daily wants Both Of these objects we
seek in part to gain by reducing the present
tariff rates upon the necessaries of life
We fully appreciate the importance to the
country of our domestic industrial enter
prises. In the rectification OF existing wrongs
their maintenance, and prosperity should be
carefully and in friendly spirit considered.
Even such reliance upon present revenue ar
rangementS as have been invited or encolir-
aged should be fairly and justly regarded.
Abrupt and radical changes which might en-
danger such enterprises, and injuriously affect
the interests of labor dependent upon their
success and continuance, are not contemplated
or intended
But we know the cost of our domestic man
ufactured products is increased, and their
price to the consumer enhanced by the duty
imposed upon the raw material used in their
manufacture. We know that this increased
e
foreign markets in competition with those
countries which have the advantage Of free
raw material. We know that, confined to a
home market, our manufacturing operations
are curtailed, their demand for labor irregu-
lar, and the rate of wages paid uncertain
We propose, therefore, to stimulate our do
nestle industrial enterprises by freeing from
duty the imported raw materials, which by
the employment of labor are used in our
home manufactures, thus extending the mar
kets for their sale, and permitting an in
creased and steady production, with the al
lowance of abundant profits.
True to the undertaking course of the |)emo-
cratic party, we will not neglect the interests
Of Labor and our worlingnen. In all efforts
to remedy existing evils we will furnish no
excuse for the less of employment or the re-
duction of the wage of honest toll On the
contrary, we propose i'll any adjustment OF
our revenue laws to cOncede such encourage
ment and advantage to the employers OF
domestic labor as viii easily compensate for
any difference that may exist between the
standard of wages which should be paid to our
lab0ring men and the rate allowed in other
countries. We prolAose, too, by extending the
markets for our manufacturers, to promote
the steady employment Of labor, while by
che 10 cost ri fbn lest q
we increase the purchasing power OF the
workngman's wages and add to the comforts
of his home.
And before passing from this phase of the
question, | am constrained to express the
opinion that, while the interests Of labor
should be always sedulouSly regarded in any
modification of our tariff laws, an addi-
tiOnal and more direct and efficient prOtec-
ton to these interests would be afforded by
the restriction and prohibition of the in1Inl-
grafton or importation Of labOrers from other
countries who swarm upon our shores, having
no purpose or intent OF becoming our fellow
citizens or acquiring any permanent interest
in our country, but who crowd every field of
employment with unntelligent labor at
, wages which ought not to satisfy those who
make claim to American citizenship.
The platform adopted by the late national
convention Of our party contains the follow
, ing declaration:
} Judged by Democratic principles, the inter-
ests of the people are betrayed when by un-
, necessary taxation, trusts aud combinations are
permitted aud fostered, which, while unduy en-
riching the few that combine, rob the body of
our citizens by depriving them as purchasers OK
) the benefits of natural competition.
Such combinations have always been con
demned by the Democratic party. The de-
claratiOn of it's national convention is sin
cerely made, and no member OF our party
will be found excusing the existence or belt
Ting the parnici0us results of these devices to
l wrong the people. Under various names
they have been punished by the common law
g for hundreds of years, and they have lost
l Tome of their hateful features because they
have assumed the name OF trusts instead OF
cOnspiracleS
We believe that these trusts are the nat
: ural offspring of market artitcially re
0 stricted; that an inOrdinarily high tariff, -
sides furnishing the temptation for their o.
+ istence, enlargeS the limit within which they
may operate against the people, and thus III
: creases the extent of their power for wrong
/ doing. With an unalterable hatred of al
q such schemes. we count the checking Of theil
baleful operations among the good results
n promised by revenue reform.
= While we cannot avoid partisan misrepre
< sentation, our position upon the question o1
E revenue reform should be 50 plainly stated a.
to admit OF no misunderstanding. We have
: entered upon no crusade OF free trade. The
2 reform We seek to inaugurate IS predicatac
) upon the utmost care for established in
r dustries and enterprises, a jealous regard fol
e the interests of American labor, and a sincere
i desire to relieve the country from the injuS
/ tee and danger Of a condition which
= threatens evil to all the people Of the land
;. We are dealing with no imaginary danger
o LIS existence has been repeatedly confessed by
Il all political parties, and pledges of a remedy
I have been made on all sides Yet when Il
{ the legislative body where under the Consti
tuition all remedial measures applicable L
+ this subject must originate. the Democratic
) ma iority were attempting with extreme mod
k Grafton to redeem the pledge common to botl
5 parties, they were met by determined opposi
) ton and obstruction, and the minority, re
l. f1siDg TO cooperate in the house of repre-
d sentatives or propose another redemedy, hav'
< reulitted the redemption OF their party pledg'
( to the doubtful power OF the senate
i The people viii hardly be deceived by theiI
abandonment of the field Of legislative actio-
: to meet in political convention and fippantly
e declare III their party platform that our con
: sentative and careful effort to relieve the sit
d uat;on is destructive TO the American system
|, of protection Nor viii the people be mislet
! b. the appeal TO prejudice contained in tn
It absurd allegation that we serve the interest
S of Europe while they will support the inter
ests OF America.
g They propose in their platform TO thus sup
Y port the interests OF our country by reEnovin:
= the internal revenue tax from tobacco am
z from spirits us.l in the arts and for Eleehan