The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-19
THE TARIFF ISSUE.
The Democratic Party Not the Instrument
of Monopoly and Plumber.

Inc Oemocr1ttc Pnrty Not the Instrument
of Monopoly and Plumber.
pass to my second reason for believing in
democratic victory The democrats are max
ing their fight on perfectly defined
and strong issue. l allude to the tariff.
| am sorry to say that both political parties
have trifed with this question for twenty years.
Ii was evaded as party issue in the canvass Of
1868 In 1872 the democratic platform re-
manded il 10 the congressional districts for set
Element, and il was not debated by either party.
In 1876 the party platforms on the question
were substantially identical, differing only in
their phraseOlOcy, as they did IN 1881 This
was true again in 1854 Neither party was pre-
pared 10 confront the other in square and
manly treatment of the question rs one OF prin-
ciple. The better men on both sides would
have ordered things otherwise, but thev 1ifOwed
themselves to be overruled by the champions
of expcdiency, whose policy should long since
have been subordinated 70 the demands OF hon.
esty and courage. Herbert Spencer mentions
n class OF people who hate anything in the
shape OF exact conclusions, and are continually
trying 20 reconcile YES and no. lie says they
would scarcely believe an oracle, il it uttered
"A full length principle, and that ii you were TO
inquire OF them whether the earth turns on les
axis from east TO west, or from west TO east, you
might almost expect the reply: "A little OF
both" or mot exactly either" All parties are
afflicted with a haltng and unbelieving ele-
ment, which throws itself across the path OF
progress, aud is always ready 10 sacrifice prin-
ciple TO party success. a writer Of fiction,
whose books abound in sermons, tells us that
the hell that a lie viii keep man from Is
doubtless the best place that he can 60 to-"
This Is as true in politics in morals. If the
democratic party is 10 be made the mere annex
of republicanism ard the instrument OF
monopoly and plumber. IL ought 10 die, and the
sooner the better. \ struggle between two
great national parties, in which principle is
discarded. Is a shameful prostitution of the
essential decency and dignity of politics.
But at last, thanks 10 President Cleve-
land, the old-fashiOned method OF dealing
with the tariff question has been dis
owned, and both parties have faced the
issue without the slightest equivOcaton. The
democratic platform demands n reduction of
the surplus by reducing taxes. The republican
platform demands the reduction of the surplus
by increasing taxes. The democratic platform
insists that the taxes on clothing blankets,
tools machinery, lumber, the necessaries OF
life, and the raw materials and implements OF
production shall be reduced, in the interest OF
the whole body of the people. The republican
platform squaTely opposes any such reduction
as inimiea to manufacturers, who receive the
sole benefit OF such taxes as privileged class.
The democratic platform demands the highest
duties on Injuries including whisky and to-
bacco, which in all civilized countries are dealt
with rs prime sources of revenue. The repub-
lican platform demands the exemption Of the
luxuries named from taxation, which would
thus open the hood-gates OF drunkenness and
crime in order that the great manufacturing
mOnopOlies OF the country may grow Tich
through the burdens heaped upon the masses
of the people. Such is the contention between
these parties in the present campaign. The
question is so simple, and its economical and
moral bearings are so readily seen, that he who
runs may read. Herein is my faith in demo-
cratic success. The question is sure 10 be un-
derstood by the people. II has not been
sprung too late in the canvass for a thorough
discussion of il on It's merits. That discussion
has already been going on for months, and il
will continue TO the end. Ii is in the air The
campaign is afording the people a rare oppor-
tunty for finding out the truth on a long-pend-
ing and mOmentous question, and should they
deliberately embrace the mischieyous folly en-
bodied in the republican party creed as now
revised, they will deserve TO grind in the
prisOn-house of their own madness till their
suferings shall teach them the way of deliver
ance. have not the slightest apprehension
that any such calamity is in store Tor the coun-
tFv