The National tribune., 1888-12-06
TIE MESSAGE.
Official Communication Of President
Cleveland to the Second Session Of
the 50th Congress.

session Of the 50th Congress. An unusually
large number Of Senator's were present and the
galleries were filled with spectators.
In the House the attendance was also ez-
eeedingly large. and long before the business
of the session commenced Members were on
the floor shaking hands and either congratulate
ing fellow Members or condoling with them.
The galleries were crowded.
The message Of President Cleveland being
the first business in order after the opening
prayer in both Houses but little was done ex-
eept to listen to the reading Of the message the
synopsis Of which follows:
40 the Congress Of The lhjied States:
"As you assemble for the discharge Of the
duties you have assumed as the representatives
Of a free and generous people, your meeting is
marked by an interesting aud impressive incl
dent. With the expiration Of the present ses-
sion Of the Congress, the first century OF our
constitutional existence rs a Nation viii be
completed. Our survival for 100 years is not
sufficient TO assure Us that we no longer have
dangers 10 fear in the maintenance, with all
its promised blessings. Of Government f9und-
Ell upon the freedom of the people. The time
rather adm0nishes Us 10 soberly inquire
whether in the past we have always closely
kept in the course Of safety, and whether we
leads 20 happiness and perpetuity."
in those days combinations and nonopolies
were unknown, and aggregatious Of capital
were avoided or restrained. The p0mp and
glitter Of Governments less free offered no
temptation and presented no deiusion 10 the
plain people who, side by side, in friendly
competition wrought for the ennoblement and
dignity of nan, for the solution of the problem
of free Government, aud Cor the achievement
OF the grand destiny awaiting the land which
GOO had given them.
After 3 century Of progress and prosperity,
our cities have become the abiding places Of
wealth and luxury, and our manufactures
yield wealth never dreamed of before.
The President then refers to the C0nstitu-
ton, and says that only by a strict adherence
70 this fundamental law can the Nation exist;
that equal and exact justice 10 all citizens lof
which we hosst) must be administered TO ell
citizens alike, as the Government is undeF
bond TO the American people TO deal with all
classes alike. In the early days of the Repub-
lie this bond was fully insisted upon, and
every citizen was assured that be would be
Tec0mpensed for bis toll, and would be secure
in al his rights.
Crowds Of people have focked from the conn
try C the cities thinking to become rich, aud
consequently poverty enSues, which engenders
crime. The farmers sons, thinking 10 accumu-
late fortune, leave their homes and flock TO
the business centers.
SURPLUS AND TARIFF.
Instead Of limiting the tribute drawn from
0Ur citizens to the necessities OF It's ecOnomi-
cal administration, the Government persists in
e1acting from the substance Of the people mil
lions. which unspplied and useless lie dormant
in its Treasury. This fragrant injustice and
this breach Of faith and obligation add 10 ex-
tortIon the danger attending the diversion of
the currency Of the country from the legitimate
channels Of business. Under the same laws By
which these results are produced, the Govern
Enent permits many millions more to be added
TO the cost Of the living Of our people and TO
be taken from our consumers, which unreason-
ably swell the profits of a small but powerful
minority. The people must still be taxed for
the support Of the Government under the ope-
Ta ion OF tariff laws. Bus TO the extent that
the mass Of orr citizens arc Unfortunately bar
0ened beyond any useful public purpose, and
for the benefit CT q favored few, the Govern
nent, under Irete1t Of an exercise Of its tax
ing power, enters gratuituusly into partnership
WiGb these faF0rites, TO their advantage and &c
the injury Of q vast majority OF our people.
This is not equality before the Law. The
existing situation is injurious 10 the health OF
cur entire body polite. liz stiles in those fol-
whose heHefit Il is permitted ali patriotic love
OF country, and substitutes in It's place selfish
greed and grasping ayarice. Devotion to
AAAEflCtLl GiAtISLsifis iUE its own sake ana lDl
what it should accomplish as a motive TO oul
Nations advancement aud khe happiness Of al
our people, is displaced by the assumption thai
the Government, instead Of being the embodi
ment Of equality, is but an iusti umentality
through which especial aud individual adyan
tsges are 10 be gained. The arrogance of thil
assumption is uncOncealed. 1t appears in thu
Eordid disregard of all bat personal interests
ia the refusal to abzte for the benefit Of other
one iota Of selfish advantage, and in combina
tloHs 70 perpetnate such advantage through
efforts 10 control legislation and improperl,
influence the suffrage Of the people.
INTERESTS OF THE WORKING CLASSES.
The grievances Of those not included within
the circle Of those beuefciaFies when fall-
realized, viii surely arouse irritation and dis
content. Our farmers, long-sufering ant
patient, struggling in the race Of life with tn
hardest and most Bnremittiug toll, viii no
fail TO see, in spite Of Misrepresentation am
misleading fallacics, that they are obliged T.
accept such prices for their products as ar
liked IN foreign markets where they Compel
with the farmers Of the world that their land
are declining in value while their debts in
crease and that without compcnsating favo
they are forced by the action Of the Govern
ment 10 pay. for the benefit Of others, such en-
HANGED prices for the things they need. tina
the scangy returns OF their labor fail to furnis
their support or leave no margin for accumu
latiOn.
0ur WOTkingmen, enfranchised from all do
lusiOns and no longer frightened by the CT
that their wages are endangered by lust ri
vision Of our tariff laws, viii reasonably Ok
maRd through such revision steadier employ
ment, cheaper means of living in their home
freedom for themselves and their chiIdre
from the doom Of perpetual seFvitude and a
open door to their advancement beyond ID
limits OF iabOrIng class Others of our cit
zens whose comforts and expenditures al
measured by moderate salaries and fixed il
comes, VIII insist upon the fairness and iustit
OF cheapenlng the cost Of necessaries for then
selves and their families. When 20 the seiisl
ness Of tue benefciaries Of unjust discrimin
lion under our laws there shall be added Il
discomfort Of those who suffer from such di
elimination, We viii realize the fact that Il
beuefcent purposes Of orr Government Deepen
emit upon the patriotism and coutentmest
cur people. are endangered"
lie SAYS that while communism is a hatef
thing and Inenaeing 10 peaceand organized Go
eminent, there is a still worse communism
combined wealth and capital. the outgrowth
oEerweening cupidity and selfishness, whi
threatens 70 undermine our institutions. 1t
q delusi0n 10 propose that the Governme
shall protect the rich aud that the rich viii
turn take care Of the poor, because any int
mediary between the Government and the pt
pie makes the most Of our institutions gls
ing delusion.
There should be q Just and sensible revisi
OF our tariff laws for the relief of those W