Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1888-12-08

@--=As@-s.-s
or all but personal interests, in tne rsIusai 20
abste for the benefit OF others one iota Of
selfish advantage, and In combinations to
perpetuate such advantages through efforts
70 control legislation and improperly infiu'
ence the SURFACES OF the people.
The grievances OF those not included
within the circle Of these beneticiaries, when
fully realized, will surely arouse irritation
and discomfort. Our farmers, long suffering
and patient, struggling In the race Of life
with the hardest and most unrequitting toll,
will not fail to see, In spite of che misrepre-
sensations and misleading fallacies, that they
are obliged to accept such prices for their
products as are fixed in foreign markets
where they compete with the farmers OF the
world; that their lands are declining In
value while their debts increase; and that
without compensating favor they are forced
by the action OF the government to pay, for
the benefits Of Others, such enhanced prices
for the things they need that the scanty re-
turns of their labor fail to furnish their sup
port or leave no margin for accumulation.
Our workingmen, enfranchised from all
deluslons and no longer frightened by the
cry that their wages are endangered by a
just revision of our tariff laws, will reasona-
bly, demand through such revision steadier
employment, cheaper means of living in
their homes, freedom for themselves and
their children from the doom of perpetual
servitude, and an open door to their I'D
vancement beyond the limits Of a laboring
class Others of our citizens whose comforts
and expenditures are measured by moderate
salaries and fixed incomes, will insist upon
the fairness and justice of cheapening the
cost of necessaries for themselves and their
families
When, to the selfshness Of the benefciaries
OF unjust discrimination under our laws,
there shall be added the discomfort of those
who suffer from such discrimination, we
Will realize the fact that the beneficent pur-
poses OF our government dependent upon the
patriotism and contentment of our people,
are endangered.
Communism is a hateful thing, and a
menace to peace and organized government:
But the communism of combined wealth and
capital, the outgrowth of overweening cupid
ity and self1shness, which insidiously under
mines the justice and integrity of free insti-
buttons, is not less dangerous than the com
munism OF oppressed poverty and toll,
which, exlsperatsd by injustice and discon.
tent, attacks with wild disorder the citadel
of rule.
he mocks the people who proposes that the
government shall protect the rich and that
they In turn will care for the laboring poor.
their government, or the least delegation of
the care and protection the government owes
to the humhlest citizen in the land, makes
the boast of free institutions glttering de.
fusion and the pretended boon of American
citizenship shameless imposition.
A just and sensible revision of our tariff
laws should be made for the relief of those of
our countrymen who suffer under present
conditions. Such revision should receive
- - ~
equality due to American citizenship of all
VINO realize that in this justice and equality
our government finds It's strength and its
power to protect the citizen and his prop
erty, of all who believe that the contented
competence and comfort of.many accord bet
ter with the spirit of our institutions than
colossal fortunes unfairly gathered in the
hands of few, of all who appreciate that
the forbearance and fraternity among our
people, which recognize the value of every
American interest, are the surest guaranty
of our National progress, and of all who de-
sire to see the produces OF American skill
and ingenuity in every market of the world,
with a resulting restoration Of American
commerce.
The necessity of the reduction Of our reve
nue. is so apparent as to be generally con
coded. But the means by which this shall be
accomplished and the sum of direct benefit
which shall result to our citizens, present 8
controversy of the utmost Importance
There should be no scheme accepted a;
satisfactory by which the burdens OF the
people are only apparently removed. Elk
travagant appropriations of puulic money
with all their demoralizing consequences
should not be tolerated, either as means oil
relieving the treasury OF its present surplus,
or as furnishing pretext for resisting g
proper reduction in tariff rates.
Existing evils and injustice should be hon
estly recognized, boldly met and effectively
remeded There should be no cessation Of
the struggle until a plan is perfected, fail
and conservative, toward existing industries
but which will reduce the cost to consumer:
of the necessaries Of life. while it provides
| for our manufacturers the advantage Of
| freer raw materials and permits no injury
TO the interests of American labor.
The cause for which the battle is waged i
comprised within lines clearly and distinctly
defined. Ut should never be compromised
Il is the peoples cause.
1t cannot be denied that the selfish ant
private interests which are so PERSISTENT,
heard, when efforts are made to deal in
| Just and comprehensive manner within GU
tariff laws, are related to, IL they are not re
spOnshle for, the sentiment largely prevail
ing among the people, that the general gov
eminent is the fountain of individual anC
private aid; that iu may be expected Il
relieve with paternal care the distress o
citizens and communities, and that from tn
fullness OF its treasury il should, upon tn
slightest possible pretext of promoting tn
general good, apply public funds to the ben
eft of localities and individuals. Nor can
be denied that there is growing assumption
that, as against the government and in favo
of private claims and interests, the usua
rules and limitations Of business principle
and Just dealing should be waived.
These ideas have been unhappily much er
couraged by legislative acquiesceence. Relic
from contracts made with the government
is too easily accorded in favor of the citizen
the failure to support claims against tn
government by proof is often supplied by n
better consideration than the wealth of tn
government and the poverty OF the claim
ant; gratitudes in the form of pensions ar
granted upon no other real ground than tn
needy condition of the applicant, or for rea
sons less valid; and large sums are expende
for public buildings and other Improvement
upon representations scarcely claimed to /
related to public needs and necessities.
The extent to which the consideration
such matters subordinate and postpone a.
ton upon subjects of great public import
nnce, should, the PRECEDENT thinks, arrest a
tention and lead to reformation, and he tim
cites few of the numerous illustrations
this condition:
The crowded condition of the calendar
the supreme court and the delay to suite
and the denial of justice resulting therefron
has been strongly urged upon the attention
of the congress, with plan for the relief
the situation approved by those well able
judge of its merits.
While this subject remains without effe
two consideration many laws have bee
fn,s tl,n hp1,l Of