The Russellville Democrat., 1888-12-13
Communism is hateful thing, and a menace

bO peace ana OfRaulLed RONCtImtut. put hhd communism of combined wealth and capital, the outgrowih Of overweaninz cupidity and selfishness, which insiduousy under mines the justice and integrity of Tree institutions, is not less dangerous than the communism or oppressed poverty and toll which. exasperated by injustice and discontenL attacks with wild disorder the citadel Of rule. He mocks the people who proposes that the Government shall protect the rich and that they m turn Will care for the laborng poor. Any intermediary between the people and their Government, or the least delegation of the care and protection our Government owes to the humblest citizen in the land, makes the boast of free institutions glitterng delusion and the pretended boon of American citizenship shameless imposition.
 TARIFF REVISION
 A just and sensible revision Of our tarin laws should be made for the relief of those or our countrymen who suffer under present condi' tlons. Such a revisi on should receive the sup port Of all who love that justice and equality due 10 American citizenship; Of all who realize that in this justice and equaiity our Govern ment finds its strength and It's power to protect the citizen and his property; Of all who believe that the contented competence and comfort of many accord better with the spirit or our lnsti. tutions than colossal fortunes unfairly gathered in tho hands of few; Of all who appreciate that the forbenrance and fraternity among our people which recognize the value Of every American interest, are the surest guaranty of our National progress, and of all who desire to see the products of American skill and iu- genuity in every market Of the world with re- Sultlng restoration or AmsrlcAH COHintTCc
 THE REVENUE
 The necessity of the reduction of our revenue is so apparent as to be generally conceded. But the means by which this end shall be complshed, and the sum of direct benefit which shall result to our citizens, present controversey of the utmost importance. There should be no scheme accepted as satisfactory by which the burdens of the people are only apparently removed. Extravagant appropria- tions of public money, with all their demoraliz- ing consequences, should not be tolerated, either as means Of relieving the treasury of its present surplus, or as furnishing preteAts for resisting proper reduction in tarin rates. Existing evils and injustice should be honestly recognized, boldly met and effectually remedied. There should be no cessation Of the struggle until plan is per fected fair and conservative, toward existing industries, but which will reduce the cost to consumers of the necessaries of life, while it provides for our manufacturers the advantages of freer raw material and permits no injury to the interest of American labor. The cause Tor which the battle IS waged is comprised within lines clearly and distinctly defined. It should cause
 It can not be denied that the selfish and private interests which arc so persistently heard, when efforts are made to deal in just and comprehensive manner with our tarin laws, related 10, If they arc not responsible for, the sentiment general Government isithe fountain of individ- ual and private aid; that it may be expected to relieve with paternal care the distress or citizens and communities, and that from the fullness of its treasury it should upon the slightest possible pretext Of promoting the general good, apply public funds to the benefit of localities and individuals. Nor can it be denied that there is growing assumption that, as against the Government and in favor Of private claims anu interests, the usual rules and limitations of business principles and just dealing should be waived These ideas have been unhappily much en- couraged by legislative.acquiescene Reiiet from contracts made with the Government is too easily accorded in favor of the citizen, as the fuilure to support claims against the Gov ernment by proof IS often supplied by no bet ter consideration than the wealth Of the Gov ernment and the poverty Of the claimant: Gratuities in form of pensions are granted on no other real ground than the needy condition Of the applicant, or for reasons less valid; and large sums are expended for public buildings and other improvements upon representations scarcely claimed to be related to public needs and necessities. The extent 10 which the consideration of such matters suoor- dinate and postpone action upon subjects of great public importance, but involving no spe- cial, private or partisan interest, should arrest attention and lead to reformation.
 NEEDED LEGISLATION.
 few of the numerous illustrations of this condition may be stated. The crowded condi- ton of the calendar of the Supreme Court, and tho delay to suitors and denial of justice result ing therefrom, has been strongly urged upon the attention of the Congress, with a plan Tor the relei of the situation approved by those Well able to judge of it's merits. While this subject remains without effective consideration, many laws have been passed providing for the hold. ing Of terms Of inferior courts at places to suit the convenience ot localities, or to lay the foundation of an application for the erection of a new public building.
 Repeated recommendations have been sub mitted for the amendment and change or the laws relating to our public lands, so that their spoliation and diversion to other uses than as homes for honest settlers might be pre- vented. While measure to meet this con eeded necessity of reform remains awatingth action Of the Congress, many claims 10 the lands and applications for their donation ID favor Of States and individuals have been al lowed.
 plan in aid of Indian management recom- mended by those well informed, as containing valuable features in furtheranee Of the solu- ton Of the Indian problem, has thus far failed or legislative sanction, while grants or uouDt- full expediency to railroad corporations, per hitting them to pass through Indian reserYa- tions have greatly multiplied.
 The proprleiy and necessity of tine erection of one or more prisons for confinement of United States convicts, and postonce building in the National capital, are not disputed But these needs yet remain unanswered whlle scores Of public buildings have been erected where their necessity for public purposes IS not apparent.
 A revision of our pension laws could easily be made, which would rest upon just princlples and provide for every worthy applicant But while our general pension laws remain con fused and imperfect hundreds or prFate pcnSlOu laHS dTt AIuuhAly pdAsV'ts nhlNh hlus the sources of unjust discrimination and popu- lar demoraliZation
 Appropriation bills for the support Of the Government are defaced by items and 1t is freely asserted by responsi- ble and experienced parties that blli approprattng money for public internal i'm provement would fan to meet with favor unless 1t contained more for local and private adyant- ags than for public benefit. These statements can be much emphasized by an ascertalnment of the proportion of Federal Legislation which either bears upon its face its private character, or which, upon examination develops such mo- tive power And yet the people wait and expect from their chosen representatives such patriot ic action as will advance the welfare Of the en- tire country; and this expectation can only DC answered by the performance Of public duty with unselfish purpose. Our mission among the nations Of the earth, and our success in ae- eomplshing the work God has given the Amer ican people to do, require Of those intrusted W tn the making and execution or our laws per feet devotion, above all other things, to the pub lie good. This devotion will lead us to strongly resist all impatience of constitutional limlta- tions Of Federal power, and to persistontly check the increasing tendency to extend the scope of Federal legislation into the domain of State and local jurisdiction, upon the plea or suhserving the public welfare. The preserVa- ton Of the partitions between proper suoleets Of Federal and local care and regulation IS of such importance under the Constitution which Is the law Of our very existence that no consideration of expediency or
  upon doubtful ground. We have undertaken to discover and proclaim the richest blessings of a free government with the Constitution as our guide Let us follow the way t points out, IL will not mislead us. And surely no one who has taken upon himself the solemn obligation to support and preserve the Constitution can find just fication or sOlace for dtsloYalty in the excuse that he wandered and disobeyed in search Of better way to reach the public vel. fare than the Constitution offered ..a2a
 What has been said is deemed not inappro- priate at a time when, from a century's height we view the way already trod by the American people, and attempt to discover their future path. The seventh President of tho United States-the soldier and statesman, and at all times the firm and brave friend of the people-in vindication of his course as the protector Of the popular rights and the champion of true American citizen ship, declared: ',fhe ambition which leads me on Is an anxious desire and hxed determi nation to restore to the people unimpaired the sacred trust they have eonfded to my care, to heal the wounds of the Constitution and to prevent its ylo-, lation; to persuade my countrymen. so far as may, that it is not in a splendid gOvernmenL supported by powerful monopOltes and aristo- cratic establishments. that they will And hap piness or their liberties protected, but in