St. Paul daily globe., 1888-12-29
FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT
Bay State Tariff ReformerS
Come Up Smiling After
the Battle.
Secretary Fairchild Addresses
a Gathering Of Politico-
Economic RefOrmerS.
The Struggle Is Only Begun,
and the End Is Not
Yet.
The PpeSident-Elect Refuses
to Enlighten an Inquiring
HooSier Maiden.
Special to the Globe.

BOSTON, Dec. 2S.-Jhe annual BAN
quet of the Massachusetts Tariff Re-
form league which took place here at
the Hotel VendOme this evening, proved
to be one of the most brilliant political
gatherings of the season. The priuci-
pal guest of the evening was United
States Secretary of the Treasury Fair
child. Among the others were Presi-
dent Eliot, of Harvard. Col. Il. w. Hig-
ginson, Hon. p. A. Collins, Hon. John
F. Andrew, Hon. Henry l.. Pierce, Hon.
George S. Hale, c. S. Hale. c. r. Cod
man, Hon. Leopold Morse, Jesse Met
calf, NJ. T. Stevens, Congressman Bur
nett, ". B. Rice and William EndicOtt.
Hon. W. E. Russell presided, and made
a happy opening speech in which he
said all that fell to him was to raise the
curtain. He referred to those present
who had come from positions of
high trust in the nation,
and said the gathering was not
one of interested capitalists to rejoice
over political victory, but gathering
in the interests of the propagation of
great pOliticO-ecOnomical reform. Re-
ferring to the election, he said there was
a misfortune in the defeat of President
Cleveland, brave and honest man who
refused to catch at votes when his
country'S good was at stake. Three
cheers were here given for President
Cleveland. President Cleveland's let
ter was then read as follows:
GROVER REGRETS.
Executive Mansion, Washington, D. c.,
Dec. 24.-MeSsrS. Sherman, Hoar and Others,
committee-Gentlemen: l am exceedingly
sorry that l cannot be present at the annual
dinner of the Massachusetts Tariff Reform
league on the 2Sth instant. This is not mere
ly a formal and common expression OF regret
1t truly indicates how much should enjoy
meeting the members of your league, and
how glad should be to express in person my
appreciation of their important services in q
cause TO which am earnestly attached; and
to acknowledge at the same time their fire.
quent and encouraging manifestations of
personal friendliness. i know, too, that 1t
would be profitable and advantageous to be
even for brief period within the inspiring
influence of the atmosphere surrounding the
patriotic and unseltish men banded together
trymen, and devoted to the work of tariff
reform. This reform appears TO me to be as
far-reaching in its purposes as Is the destiny
of our country, and as broad in its benef-
cence as the welfare of our entire people. IL
is because the efforts of its advocates are not
discredited by any sordid motive that they
are able boldly and confidently TO attack the
strongholds of selfishness and greed Our
institutions were constructed in purity of
purpose and love for humanity. Their oper-
alton is adjusted to the touch of national
virtue and patriotism, and their results,
under such guidance, must be the prosperity
and happiness of our people; and SO long as
the advocates OF tariff reform appreciate the
sentiments in which our institutions had
their origin; so long as they apprehend the
forces which alone can guide their operation;
so long as they, in spirit of true patriotism,
are consecrated to the service of their coun-
try, temporary defeat brings no discourage
ment. 1t but proves the stubbornness of the
forces OF combined selfishness and discloses
how far the people have been led astray and
how great is the necessity of redoubled ef-
forts in their behalf. To lose faith in the in
telligence of the people is surrender and an
abandonment of the struggle. To arouse their
intelligence and free it from darkness and
delusion gives assurance Of speedy and COM
plete victory In the track of reform are
often found the dead hopes Of pioneers and
the despair of those who fall in the march.
But there will be neither despair nor dead
hopes in the path Of tariff reform; nor shall
its pioneers fail to reach the heights. Hold
ing fast their faith and rejecting every allur-
ing overture and every deceptive compro
mise which would betray their sacred trust,
they themselves shall regain and restore the
patrimony of their countrymen, freed from
the trespass of grasping encroachment and
safely secured by the genius of American
justice and equality. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The applause following the reading of
the letter having abated, President
Cleveland's health was drunk standing.
Another three cheers was given, and
Mr.. Russell then introduced Secretary
Fairchild as representative OF the ad-
miniStration.
Secretary Fairchild expressed his appre-
citation of the honor conferred by asking him
to be the guest of the league, and said that
the last election had by no means decided
the question of tariff and tariff reform. The
struggle has only begun, and the end is not
yet; The record of the late canvass brings no
discouragement 10 our cause, but, on the
contrary, high hopes for the future. 1t
shows us that wherever intellect was aroused,
the thought invoked and experience ap-
pealed to we made great gains; that we lost
only in those places where mind was domi-
mated by passion-where partisanship and
the blind prejudice of race and section over
came benevolence and love for whole coun-
try. 1t Is true the tariff should be settled
and forever removed from the domain of
politics for it not only dsturbs business,
but infinitely worse, il prevents the simple
purpose of universal beneifcence for which
alone our government is fitted: it converts
our legislative halls into scenes OF barter be-
tween conflicting interests, where wrangles
over means to enable men to get more and
still more money from our citizens becomes
the chief characteristics of the peoples rep
reseniauves. 1t degrades business and often
makes success therein
1t corrupts the people. But how can this
question be settled? There are two kinds of
so-called protective tariff; the one old fash
ioned. now nearly obsolete, that of Henry
Clay, some times called the promoter of in
FAINT industries the underlying principle of
which was, il | rightly understand It, that
there were certain important industries
which, if sustained by the promise of an as
sured market in this country. would in
short time become so established that they
could give their products TO our people as
cheaply as they could be bought anywhere
in the world; the other the modern pro-
tective tariff The tariff which was en-
bodied in the platform of the party success
full in the late elections, has as its foundation
the principle that it is best for the American
people to buy and u e certain articles, or. in
the language of the late Republican plat
form, articles which can be produced in this
country, only when thus produced or manu-
factured cost what they may, and that to the
promotion of this end all the powers Of the
federal government should be invoked. The
statement of the principles OF this protective
tariff shows II can be settled: 1t could even
be embodied in the constitution. We have
produced or made in this country shall be i'm
ported, or that they shall be sub
ject to duty of loo per cent
q valorem. This would settle the ques-
ton and remove 1t from politics. This set
tiement, however, can only be had after the |
principle involved has been held naked be.
fore the people, has been fully considered |
and discussed by them and approved by an |
overwhelming majority. This question has |
not been presented TO the people, and the !
blame for its non -presentment rests with |
these business mep and Manufacturers who |
were so active in the late canvass. and who |
will now complain that your agitation tends