San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-10-11
YsCOUNTY

This was true again in 1884. Meth
or party was prepared to confront the
other in square and manly treat
ment Of the question rs one OF prin-
ciple. The better men on both sides
would have ordered things otherwise,
but they allowed themselves to be
overruled by the champions OF expe-
diency, whose policy should have
long since been subordinated to the
demands of honesty and courage.
Herbert Spencer mentions q class of
people who hate anything in the
shape of exact conclusions, and are
continually trying to reconcile yes
and no, He says they would scarce
ly believe an oracle il it uttered O full
length principle, and If you were to
inquire of them whether the earth
turned on its axis from east to west
or from west to east, you might al
most expect the reply; "a little OF
both" or mot much of either" All
parties arc afflicted with hating and
unbelieving element which throws it
self across the path OF progress, and
is always ready to sacrifice principle
to party success. A writer of fiction
whose books abound in sermons, tells
us that "the hell that lie will keep
a man from is doubtless the best
place that he can 20 to-" This is as
true in politics as in morals. If the
democratic party is to be made the
mere annex OF republicanism and the
instrument of monopoly md plumber
it ought to die, and the sooner the
better. A struggle between two
great national parties in which prin-
ciple is discarded is shameful pros
titution of the essential decency and
dignity Of politics.
But at last, thanks to President
Cleveland, the old fashioned method
of dealing with the tariff question
has been disowned, and both parties
have faced the issue without the
slightest equivocation. The demo-
cratic platform demands reduction
of the surplus by reducing the taxes.
The republican platform demands q
reduction of the surplus by increas'
ing taxes. The democratic platform
insists that taxes on clothing, blan-
kets, tools, machinery, lumber, the
necessaries of life and raw material
and implements of production shall
be reduced in the interest OF the
whole body of the people. The re-
publican platform squarely opposes
any such reduction Us inimical to
manufacturers, who receive the sole
benefit of such taxes rs o privileged
class. The democratic platform de-
mands the highest duties on luxu-
ries, including whisky and tobacco,
which in all civilized countries are
dealt with as prime sources OF reye-
nue.. The republican platform de-
mands the exemption OF the luxuries
named from taxation, which would
thus open the hood-gates OF drunken
ness aud crime in order that the great
manufacturing monopolies of the
country may grow rich throught he
burdens heaped upon the masses OF the
people. Such is the contention be-
tween these partiesin the present cam
paign. The question is 80 simple,
and it's economical and moral bear
ings are 80 readily seen, that he who
runs may read. Herein is my faith
in democratic success. The question
is sure to be understood by the peo-
pie. It has not been sprung too late
in the canvass for q thorough discus
sion of it on it's merits. That discus
sion has already been going on for
months, and it will continue to the
end. 1t is in the air. The campaign
is affording the people rare oppor-
tunity for finding out the truth on o
long-pending and momentous ques-
ton, and should they deliberately
embrace the mischievons folly en-
bodied in the republican party creed
as now revised, they will deserve to
grind in the prison house OF their
own madness till their sufserings shall
teach them the way Of deliverance. !
have not the slightest apprehension
that any such calamity is IN store for
the country.