The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-17

rccny or indirectly 30 all classes oil
people, Thep, after referring to the TACT
that the tax of 10 per cent levied by
the United States on the circulation OF all
other banks than National banks drove
out of existence every State bank of circula-
ton within a year or two he continues,
this power can rs readily be employed
against one class of individuals ANA IN iavor
OF another so as TO ruin the one class ana
ri,e unlimited wealth and prosperity TO the
other, II there Is no implied limitation OF the
uses for which the power may be exercised.
To Law with one hand the powcrs Of the gov.
eminent on the property of the citizen, and
with the other bestOw IL upon favored indi,
yiduals to aid private enterprises and build
up private fortunes, Is none the less rob.
berry because Il Is done under the forms oil
law and is called taxation
The Democratic idea Is that Congress has
no right TO levy and collect taxes except for
public purposes, and that all other taxes are
unlawful, while the Republicans hold to the
doctrine that Congress has the right to lay
burdens upon the masses for the benefit OF
The few manufacturers of the country, and
10 aid private individuals and private cor
poratons In their business enterprises. No
court on earth has ever held that any gov
crnmcnt national, State or municipal, has
The constitutional right 10 aid manulactur-
ing enterprises owned and controlled by IN
diNduals or private corporations Tor pur-
poses of gain by the exercise oil the powers
of tnXation but all courts have held that
taxes imposed for such purposes were UNI
lawful and void.
THE DEMOCRATIC POSITION
Following out this well established princi-
pie Of law and justice, the Democratic party
las ever held that tariff, which Is tax
upon goods imported into this country, lev.
led for the purpose Of increasing the price OF
goods 60 the consumers aud thereby pro-
tStinr the domestic enterprises, was con.
trnry to the letter and spirit Of the constilu-
ton. because levied 10 aid private enterprises
aud not for public purposes. Such laws arr
class legislation, because they hHYo the effect
20 build up one class nj The expense OF an
other. and II i 10 intended. II Is the duty
OF governments to protect their citizens in
their rights and not 10 deprive Que citizen Of
right for the benefit Of some other no more
deserving. Every citizen stands equal be.
fore the law, and upon what principle Of
right can one man. or class Of men, be taxed,
either directly or indirectly, for the benefit
OF another? What clause Of the constitution
authorizes any such determinations between
our citznnsi The purposes for which Con.
grcss may levy taxes are found In the consti-
stitution aud does not lie In the judgment
of Congress. To say that Congress Is 10 de-
tcrminc the matters over which IL has juris-
diclon u 10 say that It's powers are unlim-
tied
NQuirY or THE man PROTECTIVE TARIFF
II principle Of law, as we'll rs Of justice
that that can not b. done by indircction
which cannot he done directly. Now, who
would contend for moment that Congress
could. by law. compel every consumer Of
blankets 10 pay n tax of ~ into the treasury
OF the United States for every blanket
bought. 10 be turned over Ia the manu-
faciurcr Of the blanket Yet that Is done
every day by the consumers Of blankets In
The Increased price Of the article by reason
Of the tariff That principle OF our govern
ment which recognizes the fact that all men
are created equal and that equal privileges
are secured 10 every one Ia tho race of
life, i the one above all Others which has
endoarcd IL to the liberty loving of all lands,
and deny the right Of the government 10
enrich one man ~ the expense OF another.
No mans services or properly can DC taken
even for public purposes without just COIN
pensaiion being made therefor. but under
our protrciiye tariff system thc time and the
money of the consumers OF the 1000 articles
upon which the tariff is laid II taken aud |
bestowed upon special classes upon the pre- |
text that their enterprises will he unpmiit- !
able and the business will be turned over Ia |
othcrs mory iayombly situated for carrying |
Z on. unless the government comes TO their |
rescue. H. by operation Of law, the |
government compcls mo To pay the |
manufacturer 500 Tor that which, |
with. 4 government Interference, would |
only cost me 80, the government, before |
whicl, both stand equal, las enabled the vi. |
er 10 rob me ~ 80. aud ior the length Ot
time 10 would require me 10 earn that $50,
have been made his slave. Does not the
government thereby surrender 10 the indi-
Nidual seller the sovereign power OF taxation
that power which no Individual can law
fully cNcrcisc- .nd has not the seller been
enabled TO levy and collect from me TAX OF
80 iur his own bcnchn Ny time aud my
money are my own. and the government has
no right 10 put " la the power nt another To
take either irum me Tor his own private ben
eht Every dollar 81 the increase In the
price Of the articles of necessity made posi-
bic by the protective tariff, represents day
vi labor "a the laboring men Of the country
and a. that extent they arr made the unWill.
ing servants oi the munopolists Of favored
classes. Upon what principle uf fairness aud
Justice should the consumers uf the country
be compelled io turn over portion IL their
earning. a. the manufacturers who have
grown rich under our iarinsysicm, while the
consumers and laborr,. who pay this
tnbuc are growing poorer l know of No
one Who objects 10 tarin levied for
the purposes 81 revenue with which
10 dcfny the expenses of the govern.
ment economically administered. aud
one which will take from the tax
payers no more money than " need.
ed for that purpose. but n hrln lail
with n vicN tn cnrichnr . few favored classes
at the expense ul the masses, as the existing
tariff unlucstionnhly does aud not Tor the
purpose ui revenue, Is unconstitutional and
an abomination iu the eyes IL all right think
Ing men. A revenue tariH will AMI must
necessarily, afford some protection to Amer
lean manufacturer, because a iangc percent
Of the revenue collected cor the support OI
government always has been. and no doubt
always will be-, derived FROM that sourcc
Those most familiar with tho working NJ the
system, Affirm that n rvcnuc tariff will a.
fori sufficient protection TO enable the home
manufacturers 10 pay better wages than ar,
paid In other less favored countries, aud nj
the samc time rap rich reward in The VA,
ot dividends upon capital invested In pro
tccied enterprises. Mr. Cleveland In his tarii
mess,Fc aid, 1t j. condition and not
theory that cUnironts us" yet " cannot h
denied that our financial condition grow gu
of the falsc theory that the government ma!
levy taxes Tor the purposes Of protection
and when the theory isbukcn down IN III
minds Of the American people, relief vii
gradually come ~ the ovcrtaNcd pcopl,
The practical effect II this ubiquitous systcf
y, 10 compel 10y law, the consumers ~ We
~ thu lahurers 81 the country. to divide the
earnings with the protected producer. who
generally factory lord or n pig Iron harni
while they arc forced h. scli the fruits
their labor OF the product Of their fnrms
FIRE trade market Tho object and p,i
pose VI the system "a "a make scare w IN
country. the articles upsi which the tax
laid by shutting ont like articles produce
a. Ffl..t f..uVfriTa - "a Tualta The hoo