The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-10-13
A GRAND RALLY.
Thursday was Democratic Day In Ottawa,

Considering the fact that II was day upon
which the elements had not showered their
more pleasing moods, Thursday last will be
remembered as very successful one IN the
Democratic campaign history Of Ottawa.
The preparations had been carefully plan
ned, and had all the railroads done the lib
eral thing and the weather been more pro-
pitious, every city boasting Democratic
club, or Democratic constituency in the
Eighth Congressional District would have
been present.
The merchants on the business streets
we're liberal in the use of flags and bunting,
and by the noon hour the city presented a
gala day appearance. Republicans, as well
as Democrats. and Prohibitionist or 80,
we're profuse in decoration. Delegations
from surrounding towns began arriving early
in the day, the Grand Ridge, Mendoza
and Earlville clubs being among the first to
arrive. They we're followed by representa-
tives Of clubs from Seneca, Marseilles. La
Sale, Peru and Strestor, and unattached
Democrats from every town in the county.
The numbers in the day tine we're not large,
but the crowd made up in enthusiasm what
it lacked in size.
The exercises in Washington Park began
ct two o'clock with music by Hentrioh's
Band and singing BY the Glee Club. Hon.
L. W. Brewer, candidate for congress, deliv'
cred short but pungent address upon the
inequalities Of the present tariff system, the
necessity Of reducing the present excessive
tax, the attitude Of the Democratic party en-
the questions Of the day, and the effect of
free wool and FREQ raw materials upon man
ufsoturers and the cost Of living. Tho Mills
bill is proposition to reduce the surplus by
reducing the tax which made 1t possible.
The Democrats propose to take of the tax
on wool and make wool free to take off the
tax on lumber and make lumber free to
take off the tax on salt and make salt free !;
to remove the tax on tin plate, and reduce
the tax upon necessities, relieving the poor,
and leaving the rich to bear the greater bur
den. The present tariff, as adjusted in 1888,
is unjust and discriminates between the rich
and the poor. We insist as Grant and Ar
thur and great republican statesmen have
insisted, that it should be SO revised as to
afford relief to the poor. The republicans,
on the other hand, offer cheap chew, a
cheap drink and cheap acorns. The Demo.
Gratis offer you cheap clothing for your wives
and families, and cheap homes. And yet,
we are free trrders He paid high tribute
to President Cleveland and the state and
county tickets.
Gen. A. E. Stevenson, Assistant Postmas.
ter General, was then introduced, and made
one Of the most brilliant speeches ever
delivered in this city, from any platform
He opened with general outline Of demos
cratic principles. but devoted the bulk Of his
address to the great living issue Of the day
the tariff. He said the treasury holds to
day over one hundred million OF dollars in
surplus revenue. When l say surplus l
mean what is not needed to run the govern
ment. This surplus is ACCOMPLISHING at the
rate of over $1,000. 900 per month, or one
hundred million per year. This vast sum
belongs, not in the treasury but in the pock-
cts of the people. In the latter part of his
administration, Mr.. Arthur recommended a
reduction of the tariff. A republican com
mission appointed by republican congress
recommended reduction of twenty five
per cent throughout the list A republican
congress paid no attention to their report,
but passed bill raising the tariff of tina. day
President Cleveland seeing the distress of
the treasury and the people, sent his mes
sage to congress asking reduction Of the
tax to the needs of the government 1t was
upon this message that the Mills bill was
framed. 1t provides for reduction of the
revenues amounting to about $75 200, 600 a
year. 1t offers cheap necessities and the
republican tariff bill framed few days ago
by the republican senate, offers cheap acorns
The democrats advocate reduction of five
per cent from the forty'seven per cent tariff,
making an average rate of AZ per cent, and
yet we are called stree traders" Why the
highest tariff that the great father Of pro-
lection, Henry Clay, ever advocated, was 80
per cent He will go down to history as the
author Of the compromise tariff bill of 1888,
which provided for gradual reduction OF
the thirty five per cent tariff of 1892, to
twenty per cent in 1910. When Washington
occupied the presidency, Alexander Hamilton
the first secretary of the treasury, only advo.
Gated and the only tariff in force, was one
of five per cent. The era Of "good feeling
from lS47 10 1857, in which the United
States made greater advance than it had
before or since in any decade was under a
low tariff, and both wings and democrats uni
ted in bill reducing tariff in 1857 to about
10 per cent And now about this terrible
monster this Mills bill. The republicans