The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-22

iIt IN lllt lilthoiBt-tllt
idcnt's message. The outlook Is most en-
couraging. Considering how the painted
harlot OF protection is whstling 10 keep her
courage up us she stalks across the grave
yard offalse VOWS and broken promises
she has made-mainly to the work-pcople
i should call it assured. For more than
year my fear has been that we might not
be able in advance Of our national conven-
ton to close ranks and move in solid col
umn against the enemy on distinct lines
OF our own deliberate choosing. and as
believe that nothing clears the political at
mosphcre like plain speaking right out
In meeting, l have given the ad-
best the shop has afforded in
the way Of disagrceable consistency and
the sincere SANDER. IL was obvious 10 my
mind that unless we could agree in Con-
gress we should not agree in convention.
The tariff plank in the last national Demo
cratic platform was not intended 10 be
straddle, because, although the platform
committee had been adrotly packed in
the interest Of protection, the revenue re-
formers were still strong enough TO hold
their ground and TO carry all their points.
But il was made To seem straddle. Hence
not bear two constructions, would satisfy
the dersand OF reform in the national plat
form. and any one could see that this could
not be obtained without fight, and, pos
sibly, split.
Just in the nick OF time.the President
came TO the rescue with the wisdom OF an
impetuous courage and the craft OF a com
mon sense deriving its strength from its
integrity, this brave and honest man-this
puzzle TO the politicians and contradiction
| TO all experience-with single stroke Of
his pen did what might for years have
baffied the efforts Of the greatest statesnen
and philosophers. by that act he has
reversed the situation from one
OF cowardly INDIGESTION 10 one
Of enthusiasm and confidence. lie
has forced the enemy back behind his
earthworkH, and wHrnedstraggers 10 come
into camp. Upon the lines OF that mes
sage, ! would rather be beaten than win
upon those of n lying substitute. But We
shall not be beaten. The Presidents words
are presages Of victory. They remove all
obstruction from our march OF progress and
reform. They lead us out OF the bushes
and into the highway. An honest Demo
crat may now hold up his head, look the
Il
without furtive side glance At the Re
| publicans. F.F.I
~ believe in clearly defined political
differences. stubbornly and honestly main
tanned upon the open field OF party COM
bat, and loving no man less because he
does not agree with me touching public
politics, ! detest him most who lets Il
| dare not wait upon I would, and possesses
L ~
convictions. But thousand purposes are
ascribcd by the protectionists 20 the party
/ OF revenue reform which never CROSSES the
mind OF any responsible revenue reformer
These we may now disayow. The policy
Of evasion and repression is 10 be sue
ceeded by policy Of fair aud free dis
cussion. II is this the Republicans have
courted aud which they affect TO be
nightly pleased with. Lot Us In the COM
ing battle give them their bellyful OF IL.
let US go to the people Of the east, M we
have gone 20 the people Of tho west and
the south, with the truth.
"1hc period Of agitation has passed.
Thanks TO the President, We have the ear
Of the nation. The period OF affirmation
and construction Is upon us; and It's vocal
organs arr not thosc Of exclamation. but
Of practical business. When we seek 10
arrest the attention Of friend across the
street, We elevate the voice; when We have
him face 10 face we proceed In n lowert tone
TO tell him why We stopped him and whal
we want 80 II Il with the move
ment for revenue reform. lis friend'
have for years sought by agitation e
direct the interest OF thinking men 10 thl
evils Of the tax system full Of ialsity. 1hcy
have succeeded: and now they are pre-
pared 90 apply definite measures ans
methods Of reform 10 the disorder. Bu
these are nowisc prccipitatc or extreme
They contemplate no revolution. The
propose At one and the same time 10 r.
ducc both taxation and revenue, and eiicc
, this on the lines laid down 40 admimbl!
by the President In his message.
"And how are we met In this patriot
purpose by the proicciionistAy With ever!
= manner 81 misrepresentation and jecT
All along the Republican line the won
\ has gone forth that We are a band Of in
ccndiarics bent upon blowing up the Gus
toin.houscs and burning down the factories
and generally destroying the business q
: the country. This is as ". having awak
ened your neighbor 10 tell him his hous
! II aiirc, he should denounce you for a buI
: gar ind call the police. Every day We M
J. assured that the President doe
y not know bis own mind; that th
= message means nothing nj all, that
WIS thrown out merely M 'iccler,' an
: that therc Il something back Of Il, whicl
\ will presently appear aud surprise every
; body. In short, all the devices Of ingcn
: ous pcrveSion are put forth 10 confuse on
y oounscls and mislead voters, and ] wish
!. could aay that these devices are cmploye
J, only by protested enemies. Uniortunatcl
there are those who, masqucrading q
= Democrats, mako II the business OF the
' lives 10 play into the hands Of IN
J, enemy. They are proiectionisis hrs
Democrats aiterward. In the enc
J, when the process OF the rcdi
= tribution and rcadjustmcnt Of part
y iorccs, now going forward, IL complete,
y they will find final aud fitting abodl
= where they properly belong, In the castl
:, Of those robber barons whose men -at-arn
= = are at this moment out In every dircctio
= collecting through the tariff tribute Of N
y people. Then indeed shall we know VII
= u who and what In whal, and the star-oye
/. goddess Of reform shall carry In the circl
!. Of truth which grsccs her fair young bro
no false jewels 10 dim IL lusire.
Meanwhile, my friends, we have notl
- Ing 10 lear In the Immediate future. Tn
y N iull Of most genial, most gratifying a
~ suances. The party Of reform In Congrc
will he found 10 units upon measure
reform In harmony with the President
a. message. Wait n little and you shs
D. sec how thcy carry themselves upc