The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-06-09
needs of the government has become a

|
menace 10 the business stability Of the
country, and prolific breeder of eX'raya
gence and corruption To say that such
taxation is justifsble is to fly In the face
Of every axiom of economic wisdom. On
the part Of those who profit by 1t, 1t Is
theft; TO those who pay IL, robbery,
With the same manlness and courage
he has shown in every other eXigency,
President Cleveland now declares TO
congress and the country that the supreme
issue Of the hour Is reform, revision and
reduction of national taxation. Well he
knows that a vast array of cormoran's, who
have been fattening on this excessive
taxation will assail him and pursue him
Xix n pack of bloodhounds cheated of their
prey. What recks II TO him, knowing
| himself In the right The cry of free
trade fails to daunt him, knowing that to
lower the tariff Injuries no Legitimate
industry, but tends TO uphold wages aud
protect the rights of all"
| 3
| like the nomination Of Cleveland, that of
Allen c. Thurman Tor the vice presidency
was greeted with equal applause for very
much the same reason, that II accorded
so eminently with everybody's conception
of the fitness of things. To have failed 10
nominate Thurman after his consent had
been obtained to accept. would have been
an Insult to the grand "Old Roman" and
An unpardonal blunder But the convention
was not in the laundering business; and
did the right thing spontaneously and
heartily.
ALLEN G, THURMAN has been Il
prominent and shining figure in cur
national history for many gears. Born in
Lynchburg, Va, in 1913, he moved with
his parents to Ohio in 1919, and then, after
receiving a common school education,
entered the Office of his uncle, the late
eX-Gov william Allen, of Ohio, and
studied law, being admitted to the bar in
1885. He was elected to congress in lSi4
serving but one term; yet in that brief
tour he had an opportunity to show his
independence and fidelity to.conviction by
rising above the behests of his party and
voting for the far famed "Wilmot proyiso
In 1851 he was elected Judge of the
Supreme Court of Ohio, and from 1864 to
1867 was Chief Justice of that court.
In January, 1868, he was elected to fill
the vacancy In the U. s. senate, caused by
the death of Ben. F. Wade, and on the
expiration Of his term, was reelected,
holding a seat there until 1881.
His record in the senate was one TO equal
that of the ablest of the long line of our
country's statesmen that have added luster |
to that body. Though associated politically
during most of his time In the senate with
a small minority, no member exercised a
more healthful influence In that body or
migrated more of his practical wisdom on
Its legislation. The measure alone, which !
he originated and by persistent labor in
season and out of season, finally compelled
the senate TO adopt, and to compel the
Pacific railroads to provide a sinking fund
for ultimately returning to the government
the hundred millions of swag of which
they hoped to rob it, will ever stand as an |
enduring monument to his fame.
The democracy have honored themselves
beyond expression in doing honor to such
a man, and the people will joyfully, by
their votes next November, manifest their
hearty approval of the act.