The Forrest City times., 1888-09-15

i'4ni UT ptaCe among the nations or the earth. but there is no people whose home interests are so great and whose numerous ob, ,ects of domestic concern deserve so much watch fulncss and care.
 THINGS OF THE IiIGHssT CONCERN.
 Among these are the regulation of a sound financial system suited to our needs, mus securing an efficient agency of national wealth and general prosperity: the con s:ructi0u and equipment of means of defence lo insure our national safety and maintain the honor beneath which such national do main, still stret hing beyond the needs of century's expansion, and Its preservation for the settler and the pioneer ot our marvellous growth: q sensible and sincere recognition of the Nalue of American labor, leading te tho scrupalous care and just ap- presiation of the interest of our working men the limitation and checking of such monopollstle tendencies and schemes as in tertere with the advantages and benefits which the people may rightly claim, a gen erous regard and care for our surviving soldiers and sailors and for the widows and orphans of such as have died, to the end that while the appreciation of their services and sacrifices is quickened, the application of their pension funds to improper causes may be prevented: protection against ser vile immigration, which injuriously com petes with our laboring men in the field of toll, and add to our population an element Ignorant of our institutions and laws, i'm possible of assimilation with our people and dangerous to our peace and welfare; a strict and steadfast adherence to the prin- ciples of civil-service reform and thorough execution of the laws passed for their en- forcement thus permitting to our people the advantages of business methods in the operation of their governments the guaranty to our colored citizens of all their rights of citizenship; and their just recognition and cucouragement in all things pertaining to that relation; firm, patient and humane Indian policy, so that in peaceful relations with the government the civiaization of the Indian may be promoted, resulting with uuict and safety to the sette on our Frontiers; and the curtailment of public ex pense by the introduction of economical methods in every department of the govern ment
 THE PLATFORM ENDORSED.
 The pledges contained in the platform adopted by the late Convention of the Ma tional Democracy leads to the advancement of these objects and insure good government the aspiration of every true American citizen. and the motive for every patriotic action and effort In the consciousness that much has been done in the direction of good government by the present administra- ton, and submitting its record to the fair inspection of my cOuntrymen. indorse the iidllNlAl llillS lllNStiNtj NlAA iAA htAtl tion that, if an again called to the chief magstracy, there shall be a continuance of devoted eadeavOr 10 advance the interests of the entire country.
 Our scale of Federal taxation and its con sequences largely engross at this time the attention of our citizens, and the leople are soberlv considering the necessity of measures of relief.
 Our government is the creation of the people, established to carry out their de signs and accomplish their good. It was founded on justice. and was made for free, intelligent and virtuous people. It is only useful when within their control, and only serves them well when regulated and guid ed by their constant touch. It is free gov ernment, because it guarantees to every American citizen the unrestricted personal use and enjoyment of all the reward of his and of all his income, except what may be his fair contribution to necessary public expense.
 Therefore. it is not only the right but the duty of free people, in the enforcement of this guaranty. to insist that such expense should be strictly limited to the actual pub lie needs It seems perfectly clear that when the government, this instrumentality created and maintained by the people to do their bidding, turns upon them, and through an utter pervcrsion of its powers extorts from their labor and capital tribute largely
  has rebelled against the creator and the masters are robbed by their servants
 NO FREE TRADE HERE.
 The cost of the government must con tinuc to be met by tariff duties collected at our custom houses upon imported goods, and by internal revenue taxes assessed upon spirituous and malt liquors, tobacco and oleomargarine. l suppose 1t Is needless 10 explain that all these duties and assess mcnts are added to the price of the articles upon which they are levied, and thus De como a tax upon all those who buy these articles for use and consumption. l sup pose, too. that it is well understood that the effect of this tariff taxation is not limited to the consumers of imported articles but that inc duties imposed upon such articles per nit a corresponding increase in price to be laid ,lpon domestic productions of the same kind: which increase, paid by all our people as consumers of home productions and en- tcring every American home, constitutes form of taxation as certain and as lneVlta ble as though the amount was annua4y -ld into the hand of the tax gathe:er.
 These results are inseparable rom the nlan we have adopted for the collection of our revenue by tariff duties They are not mentioned to discredit the system, but Dy way of preface 10 the statement that every million of dollars collected at our custom house for duties unon imported articles and maid into the public treasury represent many millions moro which, though never reaching the national treasury, are pad ny a,T. citizens as the increased cost Of domestic productions resulting from our tarlh laws
 In these circumstances, and m view or this necessary effect of the operation ol our rIou for raising revenue, the absolute duty af iin,iting the rate of tariff charges to the necessities of a frugal and economical ad ministration of the government seems 10 be perfectly plain. The continuance, upon a ll,,.et,.,,t of meeting public expenditures, or ssch a scale of tariff taxation as draws from tbe substance of the people sum largely in excess of public needs IS snreY some me e-, iTs,ice and which finds it's strength and ,.ssfniress in tho faith and trust Of the peo- nle, ought no; to be tolerated.