Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-12-07
Presidents Message.

-~~~o~
The President notes in the outset Of the
message that with the expiration oi the
present session of Congress- the first cen
tury OF our constitutional existence as u
nation will be completed, and this circum
stance, he observes, admonishes US To in
Quire sobcrly whether in the past we have
kept closely in the course of safety marked
out in the constitution, and whether the
way before us is plain and clear. Equal
and exact justice between the government
and citizens, as well us between citizen and
citizen, is the underlying principle Of our in-
stitutions In the early days of the repub-
lie this principle was rigidly insisted on.
The tribute OF the citizen 10 the support OF
the government was measured strictly by
the cost of its maintenance. In those days
the frugaity OF the people was stamped up
ON their government and enforced by a
thoughtful and intelligent suffrage. Com
binatlons, monopolies and aggregations of
capital were avoided or sternly regulated.
A century has passed. Now our cities are
filled with wealth and luxury; our nianu.
factories yield fortunes never dreamed Of
by the fathers Of the republic, and inQsense
aggregatons of capital far outrun the i'm
agination in the vast magnitude OF their
undertakings. AT first view this is II bright
picture, but closer scrutiny revealsa sombre
shading. Side by side with the wealth OF
our cities we see poverty and unremunera-
tive toll. Increased urban population sug-
gests the impoverishment of rural sections.
The fortunes OF our manufacturers are no
longer solely the reward of sturdy industry
and foresight, but result largely from the
discriminating favor Of the government, be
ing built upon undue exactions from the
people. Two ell.defned classes are being
formed-on one side the very rich and pow
erful, on the other the toiling poor. Closer
inspection discloses the existence of trusts
and other like monopolies trampling upon
the unorganized masses, while corporations
which should be the carefully restrained
servants Of the people are fast becoming
masters The cause and cure of these in
vasions of the principle of equality before
the law lies in our system of taxation. The
high tariff, in the interest of a favored few,
exacts unneeded millions from taxpayers,
part OF which millions go to swell the sur
plus in the treasury, while the rest and
much the larger part go To the making OF
millonaires. The effect is to injure the
health Of the entire body polite. In the
benelciaries of high tariff taxes it stiles all
patriotic love of country, and its place is
taken by selfish greed aud grasping avarice.
The government is regarded by the favored
US an nstrumentality through which indi-
vidua advantages are to be gained. This
view is unconcealed. 1t is manifested in
sordid disregard of all but personal inter
ests, the refusal to abate for the benefit of
others one iota of selfish advantage, and in
combinations to control legislation and inn
properly influence the suffrages OF the peo
Pile. On the other hand a spirit of discon
tent is generated among those not includsd
within the circle of tariff benefits. Farmers
selling in foreign markets and buying under
compulsion only in the home market find
themselves impoverished, their lands de
cining in value and their debts increasing.
Workingmen and Others not engaged in
farming are likewise victims Of the unequal
laws, Communism is II hateful thing, but
here is II communism OF combined capital,
the outgrowth OF cupidity and seltishness.
1t exasperates the disconnected and threat
ems with wild disorder the citadel OF rule.
The idea that the government shall protect
the rich 80 that they shall protect the poor
is wrong ana absurd. No intermediary be-
tween the people and their government Is
required its existence makes the boas. of
free institutions a glittering delusion. What
is wanted is Just and sensible revision of
our tariff laws iur the relief Of the forgotten
masses. The necessity of a reduction of our
revenue is conceded. Extravagant appro
priations should not be accepted in lieu of
it. There should be no cessation of the
struggle for tariff reform until a plan is per
tected which is fair to existing industries,
which will reduce TO consumers the cost of
the necessaries of life, and which will give
our manufacturers freer raw materials, with
out injury to American labor The cause is
the peoples. 1t should never be compro
missed. There is growing assumption that
the government must relieve with paternal
care every individual and community that
makes claim upon it, This is seen in the
ready concessions to inefficient contractors,
to unlounded claims for pensions and to de
mands for unnecessary public buildings.
Meanwhile the real needs OF the govern
ment and people are neglected Relief Of
the Supreme Court, improved land laws,
plans OF Indian management, the need OF
United States prisons, revision OF pension
laws-these have been urged upon Congress
time and again, and yet are deferred, while
Iavors are voted to energetic claimants
whose claims are without merit. Regard
Tor the constitution would correct these
errors of the legislative body. President
Jackson's determination to restore To the
people unimpaired the trust committed to
his charge and to dissuade the people from
admiration of powerful monopolies and
aristrocratic establishments is worthy of all
imitation. The foreign relations of the gov
ernment are peaceful. The fisheries ques-
tiun remains 10 be settled. There has not,
however, since March, 1887, been any case
of uniriendly or unlawful treatment OF
American fishing vessels The interference
of Lord Sackville in the very crisis of the
presidential election, by counsel and advice,
with the suifrages of American citizens, and
aud Senate, was objectionable conduct es
peciaily in view of the fact that the counsel
and advice had reference to important ques-
tions now pending between the British and
United States governments. Further recos
milton OF the diplomatic character OF Lord
Sackville was therefore declined. A survey
OF the boundary between Alaska aud Can
ada is recommended. The Samoan question
is mentioned AS Of interest to he people OF
the United States, and also the question OF
the preservation Of our influence in the
Hawaiian Islands. The establishment of
diplomatic intercourse with Corea and Per
sia are notable events of the past year, The
disturbances in Hayti are noted, aud steps
taken for the protection OF American inter
ests in that republic. A treaty of CONNER
cial reciprocity with Mexico is advised in
view Of our increasing commercial inter
course with that country in recent Years.
Treaties have been made with Peru and
Ecuador, in the case of the latter looking TO
the settlement of the well-known claim oi
Santos, an American citizen, for loss of prop
erty at the hands OF the government OF Ecua.
dor. Preliminary steps have been taken for
the meeting in Washington, in 1885, of rep
resentatives OF South and Central American
States, together with those OF Mexico, Hayti,
and San Domingo, and the prospect OF i'm
proving commerce by cooperative legisla-
ton is adverted to. In April next will be
held also al Washington conference of
maritime powers to devise uniform rules for
the security of life and property at sea--,l
lisions at sea- Naturalization is at present
too easy process and is much abused.
Onr laws In repard To nassnnrfs need 70