The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-03
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
Continued From FRS. Page.

aroused to the justice OF its demands. The
ranks would be closed. A spirit OF fair
ness and OF justice would prevail in all
things and both the benefits and the bur-
dens OF our system OF taxation would be
distributed fairly. That system, both
internal and external, would be
treated as whole. The tax on
tobacco would The had no doubt
be reduced or wholly repealed. Iron and
coal and wool and other products Of labor
and care and enterprise wouldn't be sacri-
feed in the revision. They would stand,
as other industries OF the country stood,
subject TO their fair share in the benefits oil
whatever the system might be las re-
yised) and bearing their fair share OF the
burdens Of the common lot The senator
from Ohio has been greatly agitated over
in 1882 to reduce the duty on wool, when
committee which practically framed that
revision he led in the movement, has
made him unduly sensitive on this SUBJ
ject. l may be pardoned in the suggestion
that, having aided in reducing the product
Of the wool growers, he may now feel i'm
PEELED to pull the wool over their eyes"
] shouldn't use such an expression, Mr..
President, II II were not for the statement
made in open Senate and In the hearing Of
the country by the honorable senator in
lSSl-and quote his exact words-that
anything that will beat down that party
and build up our own is justifiable in
morals and in law"
There was ample room for reduction OF
the existing taxes without violence to any
interest. No extremes needed TO be re-
sorted to. The measure Of duty which
filed the difference between the cost Of
production in the United States and abroad
with cost Of transportation was protec-
ton to labor and fair competition TO the
employer. The measure that went beyond
that was monopoly TO the employer and
unfair competition TO labor.
The Democratic party had never been
the enemy OF labor. Maintaining the
ancient doctrine OF homo rule, special
privileges to none and equality before the
law, IL had ever been, rs IL ever would be,
tho safest guardian OF the poor and the
humble. Labor would find under its con-
troll OF the government fair and securer
and better reward, but monopoly forti-
fled and entrenched behind twenty years
or more Of Republican exaction and mis-
rule, would have to 60. Its citadel would
DO stormed, and in this Congress its
exactions would be denied. Its
hold on the threats OF the masses
would be broken. The mask OF
Republican protection would be torn
from the face OF hypocrisy. In conclusion
he said: The question before us at this
time In the bare reference 10 the Presi-
dents message. The debate upon that
question has been precipitated and calcu-
lated 10 alarm and 10 terrify the country.
But the country has been long preparing
for this conflict. II il now ready Tor the
fray. II Is my candid judgment that the
great masses OF the people will indorse and
support this brave struggle for their rights
and for the relief OF their bondage. Our
people are becoming more and more intel
ligent day by day. Information Is better
disseminated, and our action here is SUBJ
jected to daily scrutiny which would not
have been dreamed OF ten years ago. A
generation OF young men Is rising up about
us who are TO control the dcstinics Of the
republic. They are its pride and its hope.
While places OF power and position are
open to their aspirations, they are TO be
taught that the pass word 10 their future
advancement is equality before the law"
They are 10 realize their obligations 10
country, but they are 20 realize and cher
ish M well the obligations OF country 10
them. The child OF labor and the child OF
fortune, linked in n common destiny,
bound by the ties which should know no
breaking, are 10 10 on together, guided by
the spirit OF our institutions and inspired
by the genius OF our country's freedom.
These are 10 constitute the men OF the re.
public.
MIR. sherman replied TO Mr.. Kcnna. Hc
congratulated Congress that the country
was now TO have a fair, square, manly
issue presented on the industrial question
question which affected the life, prop
ory and interests OF every citizen-a
question between protected labor In this
country and the paupcr labor Of Europe
question between diversified industries
and that Of single (agricultural) interest
with a few blacksmiths and carpenter
SHOPS scattered throughout the country.
Amid the hum Of applause which fol.
lowed the close OF Mr.. shcrman's remarks
Mr.. Reagan rose and briefly defended the
Democratic party from tho charge that Il
had presented no affirmative tariff propo-
siiion during the ten years that that party
had a majority In the House.
The motion 30 refer the Presidents mes
sage then went over without action.
Mr.. Stewart addressed the Senate briefly
In support Of the education bill.
After an executive session the Senate
adjourned until Monday.