The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-22

otherwise II will insist upon wrong that
cannot fail to recoil upon the party, II not
presently, then at some future time.
Wrong always begets wrong.
==r==.-=-====s--
THE REP UBLICAN CONVENTION ON
THE TARIFF.
The Republican National Convention,
now in session at Chicago, yesterday
adopted a lengthy platform that is a queer
tumble Of contradictions and inconsistent
cies. Among these is the following plank
devoted to the tariff, which is preceded by
a pledge ''of answering devotion to the
National Constitution"
I. We are uncompromislngly In favor OF the
American system OF protection; we protest against
Ia destruction M proposed by tho President and
his party. They serve the interests Of Europe we
will support the Interests OF America. We accept
the issue and confidently appeal 10 the people for
their Judgment The protective system must DO
maintained. Its abandonment has always been
followed by general di,ster TO all interests except
those OF the Insurer aud the shcrlf.
2 We dcnounce the Mills bill as destructive 10
the general business. the labor and the farming
interests Of the country. aud we heartily indorso
the consistent ard patriotic action Of the Ropubli
can Representatives In Congress In opposing iA
passage.
We condemn the proposition Of the Demo
crniic party 10 place wool ON the free list and we
Insist that the duties thereon shall be adjusted
and maintained NO a. 10 furnish full
and adequate protection 10 that industry.
A la Ill AL
reduction Of tho national revenue by repeating tho
taxes upon tobacco, which Ia an annoyance and
burden TO agriculture and tho tax upon spirits
used In the arts and for mechanical purposes; and
by such revision OF the tariff laws as will tend 10
check imports OF such articles "A are produced
by our people. the production Of which gives
employment 10 our labor aud rclcas, from I'm.
port duties those articles Of foreign production lex
ccpt luxuricsl. the like Of which cannot be pro.
duccd nj home. there shall slili remain a larger
revenue thnn Is requisite Tor the wants Of the gov
crnmcnt We favor the entire repeal Of Internal
taxes rather than the surrender Of any part OF our
protective system At the joint bchcst Of tho whisky
ring aud the agent Of foreign manufactures.
The purpose expressed In tho first Of
these paragraphs is wholly and entirely
repugnant 10 tho Constitution Of the Re-
public, those of the States and TO the
genius Of our institutions, and how a body
OF American citizens. many Of them emf
ncnt as lawyers, could give their assent to
Il is one Of the mysteries, especially in
view Of tho previously expressed de-
yoiion TO the Constitution. No one
man under tho Constitution is en-
titled 10 any benefit by law that
another cannot share. No business,
trade or calling can DO protected with
out an infringement Of this fundamental
principle.
So Ear as tho Mllls blll goos I, moraly
modihcs the war tariff TO the amount Of the
surplus. II does not repeal the protective
features. and, therefore, should have the
supper, Of the protcc,ionists. liu, tho Re
publicans, prefcring cheap whisky and
tobacco to cheap clothing for the working
classes, would leave the unconstitutional
robbor tarihTas II Is and repeal the internal
revenue. Tho Democrats could not ask
their enemy to do anything that better
than this will inuro 10 their benefit.
Tho third paragraph Ia a distinct con.
ccssion TO Ohio and Michigan, and II is
bid for the votes Of those States. II has no
merits OF Justice. On tho contrary Il Is OF
all the schemes Of protection the most
rcpugnant and tho most hurtiul 10 the
trade Of the country and Oppressive upon
the people who should have clothing
as cheap as Is consistent with good
wages for tho tailou, aud cheap tools
and cheap neccssarics generally. How
the Republican party can defend this pro-
lection Of raw wool plank ard at the same
iimo invite the workinginen o. tho country
to cooperate with them and vote for their
candidates Is something they win have 10
explain. II Is beyond our ability.
Tho fourth paragraph Is consistent with
the irsi, and must DO condemned by
every oiiiSon who believes In tho greatest
good Of the greatest number. Tho tax
on tobacco Is no hindnnoc 10 the farming
interests. Tho consumer. not the farmer,
pays II. As 10 the tax on whisky no one
feels IT, Those who drink pay II without
knowing Il. Besides whisky and tobacco