Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-12-04

happiness of all our people, is displaced by
the assumption that the government, instead
Of being the embodiment Of equality, is but
an instrunentality through which especial
and individual advantages are TO be gained
The arrog ance OF this assumption is rEcon-
eealed 1t appears in the soriid disregard
OF all but personal interests, IN the reKusai 10
abate for the benefit OF others. one iota OF
selfish advantage, and in combinations to
perpesuate such advantages through efforts
to control legislation and improperly infu-
ence the sutfrages OF the people.
The grievances OF those RSt included
within the circle Of these benefciaries, when
fully realized. will surely arouse Irritation
and discomfort Our farmers, long suffering
and patient, struggling in the race Of life
with the hardest and most unrequittlng toll,
will not fail TO see, in spite OF the misrepre-
sentations aud misleading fallaeies, that they
are obliged to accept such prices for their
products as are fixed in foreign markets
where they compete with the farmers of the
world that their lands are declining ia
value while their debts increase; and that
without conpensating favor they are forced
by the action OF tho government to pay, for
the benefits OF others, such enhaaccd prices
for the things they need that the scanty re-
turns Of their lGbor fail 70 furGish thar sup
port or leave no margin for accumuistion.
Our workingmen, enfranchised from all
delusioas aid no longer frightcRed BY the
Cry that their wages are eniaiesred oY q
just revision Of our tariff laws, vii reiSona
bly, demand through such revision steadier
employment, cheaper means Of living in
theif homes freedom for themselves and
their children from the doom OF perpetual
servitude, and an open door to their ad-
vancement beyond tue limits OF laboring
class. Others Of our citizens whose comforts
aud expenditures are measured by moderate
salaries and fixed incomes, will insist upon
asakra fhsa
cost of necessaries for themselves and their
families
When, to the selfishness OF the beneficiaries
of unjust discrimination under our laws,
there shall be added the disconten5 OF those
who suffer from such Discrimination, we
will realize the fact that the benetcent pur-
poses of our government, dependent upon the
patriotism aud contentnent of our people,
are endangered.
Communism is a hateful thing, and a
menace TO peace and organized government
But the communism of combined wealth and
capital, the outgrowJn OF overweenin9 cupid
ity and selfishness, which insidiousy under
mines the justice and integrity OF free insti,
tutions, is not less dangerous than the com
munism OF oppressed poverty and, toll,
which, exAsperated by injustice and discon'
tent, attacks with wild disorder the citadel
of rule.
lie mocks the people who proposes that the
they in turn will care for the lahoring poor.
Any intermediary between the people anu
thOir governments or the least delegation OF
the care and protection the government owes
to the humhlest citizen in the land, makes
the boast of free institutions glitterlng de-
lusion and the pretended boon OF American
citizenship shameless imposition.
A Just and sensible revision of our tariff
laws should be made for the relief of those of
our countrymen who suffer under present
conditions. Such revision should receive
the support OF all who love justice and
equality due to American citizenship, of all
VINO realize that in this justice and equality
our government finds It's strength and its
power to protect the ctizsn and his prop
erUy, OF all who believe that the contented
competence and comfort of,mauy accord bet
ter with the spirit of our institutions than
colossal fortunes unfairly gathered in the
hands of a few, of all vino appreciate tlat
the forbearaaca and fraternity among Our
people, which recogniz the value of every
American interest, are the sureit guaranty
OF our National progress, AMI OF all who de-
sire to $50 the products OF American skill
and ingenuity in every market OF the world,
with resulting restoration OF American
commerce.
Tire necessity of the reduction of our reve-
nue. is SO apparent as to be generally con
coded. But the means by which this shall be
accomplished aud the sum of direct benefit
which shall result to our citiz9ns, present
controversy of the utmost Importance.
There should bo no scheme accepted as
satisfactory by which tie burdens OF the
people are only apparently removed. Ex-
trayagant appropriations OF pu lie money,
with all their delnoralizing consequences,
should not be tolerated, either as a means OF
relieving the lrea sury of its present surplus,
OF as furnishing pretcx5 for resisting q
proper reduction ill Tariff rates
Existing evils and Injustice should be hon
estly recognized, boldly met and effectively
renedicd There should be no cessation Of
the struggle u ltil a plan is perfected, fair
and conservative, toward existing industries
but which will reduce the cost to consumers
of the necessares Of life, while it provides
for our manufacturers the advantage of
frecr raw materials and permits no injury
to the interests of American labor
The cause for which the battle is waged Is
comprised within lines clearly and distinctly
defined It should never be compromised.
It is the peoples cau'e.
It cannot be denied that the selfish and
private Interests which are so perssteutly
heard, when Efforts are made to deal in a
Just and comprehensive manner within our
tariff laws, are related to, ii they are not re-
sponsiple for, the sentiment largely prevail
ing among the people, that the general gov
ernment is the fountain OF individual and
private aii; that it may be expected to
relieve with paternat care the distress OF
citizens and communities, and that from the
fullness of its treasury it should, upon the
slightest possible pretext of promoting the
general good, apply public funds to the ben
eft of localities and individuals Nor can it
be denied that there is a growing assumption
that, as against the government and in favor
of private claims aad interests, the usual
rules and limitations of business principles
and Just dealing should be waived.
These ideas have been unhappily much en-
couragcd by legislative acquiesceencs. Relief
from contracts made with the government
is too easily accorded in favor of the citizen;
the failure to support claims against the
by proof is often supplied by no
better consideration than the wealth of the
government and the poverty OK the claim
ant; g-atitudes in the form Of pensions are
granted upon no other real ground than the
needy condition Of the applicant. or for rea-
sons less valid; and large sums are expended
for public buildings and other improvements
upon representations scarcely claimed to be
related 60 public needs and neceS tiles
The extent to which the consideration OF
such matters subordinate and postpone ac.
ton upon subjects of great public import
ance, should, the president thinks arrest at
tention and lead TO reformation, aud he TINS
cites few of the numerous illustrations of
this condition:
The crowded condition OF the calendar OF
the supreme court and the delay to suitors
M tl,a danial of iuSffca resuitiny fhnraf ro,h