The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-09-21

ceptance.
The platform adopted by the late
National convention of our party con-
tains the following declaration
Judged by Democratic principles. the
I interests Of the people are betrayed
when by unnecessary taxation trusts
and combinations are permitted and
fostered, which, while unduly enriching
the few that combine, rob the body OF
our citizens by depriying them as pur-
chasers of the benefits of natural com.
petition.
Such combinations have always been
condemned by the Democratic party.
The declaration of its National conven-
tion is sincerely made, and no member
of our party will be found excusing the
existence or belittling the pernIcious
results of these devices to wrong the
| people. Under various names they have
been punished by the common law for
| hundreds OF years, and they have lost
none of their hateful features because
they have assumed the name of trusts
instead of couspiracies.
We believe that these trusts are the
natural offspring Of market artificially
restricted that an inordinately high
tariff, besides furnishing the tempts-
tion for their existence, enlsrges the
limit within which they may operate
against the people, and thus increases
the extent Of their power for wrong
doing.
With an unslterabIe hatred os all
such schemes, we count the checking of
their bsletul operations among the good
results promised by revenue reform.
While we cannot avoid partisan mis-
representation, our position upon the
question OF revenue reform should be so
plainly stated as to admit of no misun-
derstanding.
We have entered upoh no crusade OF
free trade. The reform we seek TO in
augurate is predicted upon the utmos
care for established industries and en-
terprises, jealous regard for the inter-
ests of American LABOR, and a sincere
desire to relieve the country from the
injustice and danger OF a condition
which threatens evil to all the people OF
the land.
We are dealing with no imaginary
danger. Its existence has been repeat
edly confessed by all political parties
and pledges OF a remedy have been made
on all sides. Yet when in the legis:a-
tive body, where, under the constitu-
tion. all remedial mearures applicable
to this subject must originate. the
Democratic majority were attempting
with extreme moderation to redeem the
plsdge common to both parties they
were met by determined opposition and
obstruction, and, the minority, refusing
to Cooperate in the House OF Repre-
seutatives or propose another remedy,
have remi.ted the redemption of their
party pledge to the doubtful power of
the Senate.
The people will hardly be deceived by
their abandonment OF the field OF legis-
lative action to meet in political conven-
tion and aippsntly declare in their party
platform that our conservative and
careful effort to relieve the situation Is
destructive to the American system Of
protection. Nor will the people be
mis!ed by the appeal to prejudice con-
tanned In the absurd allegation that we
serve the interests OF EupOpe while they
will support the interests of America.
They propose in their platform to
thus support the interests OF our country
by removing the internal revenue tax
from Tobacco and from spirits used iu
the arts and for mechanical purposes.
They declare also that there should be
such a revision of our tariff laws as
shall tend to check the Importation OF
such articles as are produced here.
Thus IN proposing to increase the du.
ties upon such articles TO nearly or quite
prohIbitory point, they confess them
selves willing to trave! backward in the
road OF civilization and to deprive ouI
people OF the markets for their goods
which can only be gained and kept by
the semblance, at least, OF an inter
/ change Of business. while they abandon
our consumers to the unrestIsined op-
/ preston Of the domestic trusts and
combinations which are in the same
platform pSrfunctoriIy condemned.