The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-09-13

and fiippantly declare in their party plat.
form that our conservative and careful
effort to relieve the situation is destructive
to the American system of protection.
Nor will the people be misled by the APP
peal to prejudice contained in the absurd
allegation that we serve the interests of
Europe, while they will support the inter
ests of America.
They propose in their platform to thus
support the interests OF our country by
removing the internal revenue tax from
tobacco and from spirits used in the arts
and for mechanical purposes. They de-
clare also, that there should be such re-
vision of our tariff laws as shall tend TO
check the importation of such articles as
are produced here. Thus. in proposing to
increase the duties upon such articles TO
nearly or quite IL prohibitory pom, tney
confess themselves willing to travel back
ward in the road of civilization, and to de
prive our people of the markets for their
goods, which can only be gained and kept
by the semblance, at least, of an inter
change of business, while they ABANDON
our consumers to the unreStralned op-
preston of the domestic trusts and COM
binations which are in the same platform
perfunctorily condemned. They propose,
further to release entirely from import
duties all articles of foreign production
| Except luXuries) the like of which cannot
be produced in this country.
The plain people of the land and the
poor, who scarcely use articles of any de-
scription produced exclusively abroad and
not already free, will find it difficult to
discover where their interests are regarded
in this proposition. They need in their
homes cheaper domestic necessaries, aud
! this seems to be entirely unprovided for
in this proposed scheme to serve the coun-
/ try. Small compensation for this neglect
; ed need is found in the further purpose
here announced and covered by the dec
laration that, if after the changes already
mentioned there still remains larger
! revenue than is requisite for the wants OF
! the government, the entire internal taxa
tion should be repealed rather than sur
: render any part of our protective system"
Our people ask relief from the undue and
unnecessary burden of tariff taxation now
resting upon them. They are offered in
stead-free tobacco and free whisky. They
ask for bread, and they are given stone.
The implication contained in this party
decl,Ta ion that desperate measures are
justified to save from destruction or
surrender what is termed our protection
system should confuse no one. The exist
ence of such n system is entirely consist
ent with the regulation of the extent to
which it should be applied and the correc-
ton of its abuses.
OF course, in a country as great as ours,
with such a wonderful variety of interests,
often leading in entirely different direc-
tiOns, 1t is difficult, if not impossible, to
settle upon perfect tariff plan. But in
accomplishing the reform we have entered
upon. the necessity of which is so obvious,
L believe we should not be content with Il
reduction of revenue involving the prOhi-
bition of importations and the removal of
the internal tax upon whisky. 1t can be
better and more safely done within the
lines of granting actual relief to the peo-
pie in their means of living and at the
same time giving an impetus to our do
nestle enterprises and furthering our ma
tional welfare, II misrepresentation OF
our purposes and motives are to gain cred
euoe and defeat our present efforts in this
direction, there seems to be no reason why
every endeavor in the future TO accom-.
plish revenue reform should not be like
wise attacked and with like result. And
yet no thoughtful man can fail to see in
the continuance of the present burdens OF
the peop'e, and the abstraction by the
:. government of the currency of the oOun
try, inevitable distress and disaster. Al
danger will be averted by timely action
+ The difficulty of applying the remedy vii
never be less, and the blame should moi
be laid at the door of the democratic party
if it is applied too late
. With firm faith THE intelligence anC
patriotism of our cOuntrymen, and rely
ing upon the conviction that misrepresen
, tation will not influence them, that pre-
judice will not cloud their understanding
and that menace will not intimidate them
, let us urge the peoples interest and pub
! lie duty for the vindication of our attemp
! to inaugurate a righteous and beneticen
reform. GROVER CLEVELAND.