Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-13
The Presidents Doctrine.


the platform OF 1854, "aud endorses the
Views expressed by President CLEVELAND IN
his last annual message 10 Congress as cor
rect Interpretation OF that platform upon the
question q tariff reduction Z" "aud also en-
dorses the efforts Of our Democratic repre-
sentsiives in Congress to secure a reduction
Of crCeSSiUe TAXATION"
These words were carefully selected.
They were employed by men who knew
their meaning to express the political creed
las far as they touched that creed OF Messrs.
SCOTT. WATTERsON, GoRMAN, and all the
Democrats -Protectlonists and anti-Pro'ec-
tionists-who satin the st. Louis Convention.
Now let us read what the President said on
this point in his last annual message, and we
shall be prepared TO understand the 81. Louis
platform as its trainers intended it TO be un-
derstood Many reader will be surprised
when he find, exactly what the President did
say, and how carefully he guarded himself
against miscousirucuou. Colonel CoLYAR,
OF the Nashville american. furnishes these
extracts. The President says:
"The considerations winch have been pre-
scented touching our tariff laws are intended
only 10 enforce an earnest recommendation
mat the surplus revenues Oi the Government
be prevented by the reduction OF our GUS
toms.duiics. aud % the same time TO empba-
size y suggestion that IN accomplishing this
purpose We may discharge double duty to
our people by granting 10 them measure OF
relief from tariff taxation IN quarters where
it il most needed, and from sources where 1t
can he most fairly and Justly accorded.
Nor can the prcsentation made OF such
consideration be, with any degree OF fair'
ness, regarded rs evidence Of unfriendi-
ness to our manufacturing interests, or oil
any lack OF appreciation OF their value
and importance. These interests cOnsti-
tute a leading and most substantial ele-
ment Of our national greatness, and furnish
the proud proof OF OuEs c0untry's progress
But II in the emergeucy'that presses upon us
our manufacturers are asked 10 surrender
something for the public good, and TO avert
disaster their patriotism as well a. grateiul
recognition Of advantages already Afforded
should lead them 10 willing cooperation.
No demand IS ni0de that they shall JOrcgO al
the benefits OF governmental regard, but they
cannot TAIL 10 be admOnisbcd OF their DUTY as
we'll as their enlightened seli.inteTest and
safety when they are reminded OF the TACT
that financial panic and collapse, TO which
The present condition tends, afford no greater
shelter or protection 10 our manufacturers
than TO orr other important enterprises"
Read the words in italics: Ono demand
Is made that Mcy shall fOrego all the dd-
UantageS Of governmental Tegurd." What
j. governmental regard but protective
dutiesg What does the President mean II
he does not mean that the manufacturing
interests " shall continue to enjoy "gOvern-
mental regard" though not TO the extent
that the existing laws protect them? No de-
mand is made that they shall forego all the
advantages OF protective duties. He ex'
plains clearly that he wants no lines drawn
between Democrats on this question. He
says:
"Our progress toward a wise conclusion
will not be improved by dwelling upon the
theories Of protection and free trade. This
sayOrs too much Of bandying epithets. 1t is
q condition which confronts us-not
theory. Relief from this condition may In
Volve a slight reduction OF the advantages
which we award our home productions, but
tue entire withdrawal OF such advantages
should not be contemplated. The question
OF free trade il absolutely irrelevant"
"a slight reduction Of the advantages
protective duties) which we award our home
productions may be made, "but the entire
withdrawal OF such advantages protective
duties) should not be contemplated" Isn't
that Just what Mr.. BARNUN, Mr.. GoRMAN,
and all other Democrats Of their kind set
forth as the true Democratic doctrine
lie All MAINLY
in another paragraph. lie says:
alt is not proposed 10 entirely relieve the
country OF this taxation [tarih taxationl.
Ii must be extensively continued as the
source OF the Governments income, and ~
the REIMBURSEMENT Of our tariff the interests OF
American labOr engaged IN manufactures
should be carefully considered, as well as the
preservation OF our manufacturers. III may
be called protection, or by any other name.
but relief from the hardships and dangers OF
our present tariff laws should be devised
with especial precaution against imperilling
the existence of our manufacturing interests
But this existence should not mean condi-
ton which, without regard to the public
welfare or a national exigency, must always
insure the realization Of immense profits IN
stead OF moderately profitable returns"
Has Mr.. RANDALL ever gone further than
that? "1he interests Of american labor
should be carefully coRSidered"; and the
President doesn't care whether you call it
PROTECTION or by any other name"
Again: The President enforcts the same
view. lie says:
cit is also said that the increase IN the
price OF domestic manufactures resulting
from the present tariff Is necessary ia order
that higher wages may be paid TO our work.
iugmen employed IN manufactures than are
paid for what rs called the pauper labor OF
Europe. All will acknowledge the force OF
an argument which involves the welfare and
liberal compensation OF our labor. Labor Ia
honorable 10 the eyes Of every American
citizen; and as Il lies nt the foundation OF
our development and progress II Is entitled,
without atieclation or hypocrisy, TO the ut
most regard. The standard OF our lab0rers'
life should not be measured by that OF any
other country less favored. and they. are en-
titled 20 their full share Of all our adyan-
tages.o
Isn't that plain enough? Tue standard Of
our laborers' life should not be measured BY
that OF any other country less favored, and
they are entitled 10 their full share Of all or
advantages. Here is the doctrine Of the
platform Of 1884 which says that all "reduc-
ton 10 taxation must be effected without de-
priying American labor OF the ability 70
compete successfully with foreign labor, and
without imposing lower rates Of duty than
will be ample 10 cover any increased cost OF
production which may exist In consequence
Of the higher rates OF wages existing in this
country"
Once moro. AS 10 manufacturers and
their employees. the President says:
$40 these people the appeal is made to
save their employment aud maintain their
wages BY resisting q change. There should
be no disposition 10 answer such sugges-
lions by the allegation that they are In mt
nority among those who labor, aud there
fore could forego an advantage In the To-
tersst Of low prices for The majority: their
compensation, as II may he affected By the
operation OF tariff laws. should at all times
be scrupnlously kept IN view; and YET With
slight reflection. they will not overlook The
isct thai they are consumers with the rest;
t'st they. TOO. hare their OWN wants and