The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-29

we can all recall many documents
and appeals, the sole purpose of which was
to divert mems thoughts from this question
and to confine their minds upon this issue.
1t would be wearisome, said the speaker, to
tell the long list of non-arguments and yet
go to any northern moral community and
ask the inhabitants to give a reason for
their action upon the tariff and
see if you will get a satisfactory
reply. Now and then you may
hear a nebulous something about home
market. but it will be nebulous, indeed.
No such arguments SO presented have set
tied and never can settle the principle.
THE SOUTH AND THE TARIFF.
For the future we are told that the mod
ern tariff policy is in favor in some of the
southern states, and that the party which
advocates it will soon be strengthened by
their support. This may or may not be
true They can only be gained for it
by presenting it clearly and fairly to the
people of these states They cannot be won
by picturing to the people of the north the
dangers which they have to fear from the
old men who ceased to be rebel brigadiers
before many of the present voters were
born. If. however, any of those states can
be gained for that cause, after argument
fairly made, it must be remembered that
many northern state must be re eased for
broader, freer thought. and that the ex-
change thus made may advantage the great
cause which we call our own.
Gentle men of the tariff reform league,
you set an example worthy to be followed
by patriotic and unselfish men in all parts
of our land 1t is the duty of all such never
to rest, but agitate, discuss, persuade and
educate unt il our adversaries shall be COM
PEELED to lay this issue clearly aud distinctly
before the American people TO the end that
they may apply enlightened intelligence to
solve and settle the issue forever"
Representative Fitch of New York fol-
lowed. He said that President Clegeland's
message had voiced the principles held by
many leading republicans, and he spoke
from this standpoint.
LETTER FROM CARLISLE.
The presiding officer then read short
letter from Secretary Endicott, regretting
his necessary absence, and also the follow
ing o from Speaker Carlisle.
Under the circumstances, all can do is to
send you assurance of my warmest sympathy
with every effort that may be made to advance
the peoples cause in the struggle now going on
between the friends of industrial freedom and
the bene1ciares of industrial slavery. This
struggle has just commenced in this country,
and those who deude themselves with
the hope that it will be abandoned
are simply augmenting the weight
of the blow that will inevitably fall upon them
in the future This is not threat, but
friendly warning. The history of all move
ments for necessary social or political reforms
shows that they grow more radical by opposition
and delay, and it would be wise and patriotic
upon the part of our opponents to recognize the
Inevitable and accede to reasonable demands
now, rather than to be forced to accept harder
terms hereafter So far the sentiment in favor
of reduction of taxation and
the removal of commercial restrictions has
been conservative, and if it does not continue to
be so the responsibility wi rest solely on those
who unreasonably oppose it. They alone can
stop the agitation orcontine 1t WITHIN reasonable
grounds by proper concessions to the demands
Of the people. The result OF the contest IN
which we are engaged is not in the least doubt
full, and unless the evils of which we complain
are removed, which seems not at all
probable, the agitation should go right on, with
increased yIgor and force, until the public 1udg
ment and conscience refuse longer to justify or
condone them. Nothing has yet occurred to
weaken our faith in the justice OF our cause or
to abate our confidence in its ultimate success
A single defeat, even If it had been sustained
on the real merits of the controversy, ought not
to discourage U.S. No Just cause Is lost so long
as it has a single earnest advocate afhong the
people More than 5,500,000 of intelligent and
patriotic Americans had atteSted their fidelity
TO the cause of revenue reform under clrcuu.
stances well calculated TO test the sincerity or
their opinions, and they will neither desert its
standard nor make peace with the enemy until
at least substantial justice is done.
William l.. Putnam of Maine spoke next,
referring to the economic SJands-lu Oh lne
three northern New England states under
the protectionist regime.
Letters # regret from David A. Wells,
President Hyde of Bowdoin college, George
NJ. Stearns, Carl Schurz, Joseph b. Sar-
geant, Gen. Francis A. Walker and others
were then read.
Ex-Congressman p. A. Collins said the
tariff reformers tad fought the good Il sht,
had kept their faith, but had not finished
their course
Edward Atkinson dealt largely in statis-
tics on the iron trade.
President Eliot of Harvard university
referred to the illusions to the college pro-
fessor in the late campaign, and said that
tariff reform was for the purpose of giving
a new era of prosperity to America.
Col. Thomas Wentworth Hlggtnson spoke
of the merging of the mugwumps into the
Democratic party.
Leopold Morse said the mistakes Of the
next congress would aid the Democratic
party beyond calculation.
Sherman Hoard then brought the meet
ing to close by speech, the burden of
which was that the Democratic party had
majority of the people.
The meeting then broke up after three
times three" for President Cleveland and
the Tariff Reform League.
The attendance was about 225.