New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-04
THE MESSAGE


As you assemble for the discharge Of the duties
you have assumed as the representatives of a free
and generous people, your meeting is marked by
an interesting and impressive incident With
the expiration of the present session OF the
Congress, the first century of our constitutional
existence as a nation will be completed.
Our survival for one hundred years is not suff-
cient to us that we no longer have dangers
TO fear in the maintenance, with all its promised
blessings of government founded upon the
freedom of tho people. The time rather admon-
ishes us to soberly inquire whether in the past
we have always kept in the course Of safety, and
whether we have before way plain and clear
which leads TO happiness and perpetuity.
When the experiment of our Government was
undertaken, the chart adopted for our guidance
was the Constitution. Departure from the lines
there laid down is failure. 1t is only by strict
adherence 10 the direction they indicate and by
restraint within the limitations they fix, that we
can furnish proof to the world of the fitness of the
American people for self-government.
The equal and exact justice of which we boast as
the underlying principle of or institutions,
should not be confined TO the relations of our
citizens TO each other. The Government itself is
under bond to the American people, that in the
exercise of its functions and powers it will deal
with the body of our citizens in a manner scrupu-
lousy honest and fair, and absolutely just II
has agreed that American citizenship shall be the
only credental necessary TO justify the claim
of equality before the law, and that no condition
in life shall give rise TO discrimination in the
treatment Of the people by their Government.
The citizen of Republic in its early days
rigidly insisted upon full compliance with the
letter of this bond ana saw stretching out be-
fore him clear fed for individual endeavor
HIS tribute 10 the sUIrcrt of his Government wus
measured by the cost of its economical main
tcnance and he was secure IN the en-
joyment of the remaining recompense
of hi; steady and ccnterted toll In those days
the frugality OF inc people was stamped upon
their Government, and was enforced by the free,
thoughtful and intelligent suffrage Of the citi-
zen Combinations, monopolies, and aggrega-
tons of capital either avoided or sterniy
regulated and restrained. The pomp and glitter
of Governments less free offered no temptation,
and presented no deluson to the plain people
who, side by SIDE in friendly competition wrought
for the cnnoblcment and dignity of man, for tho
solution of the problem of free government, and
for the achievement of the grand destiny awaiting
the land which God had given them
century has passed. Our cities are the
abiding places of wealth and luxury; our manu-
factories yield fortunes never dreamed of by the
fathers of the Republic; our business men are
madly striving in the race for riches and immense
aggregations of capital outrun the imagination
in the magnitude of their undertakings.
We view with pride and satisfaction this bright
picture of our country's growth and prosperity,
while only a closer scrutiny develops sombre
shading. Upon more careful inspection we find
the wealth and luxury of our cities mingled with
poverty and wretchedness, and unremunerative
toll A crowded and constantly increasing urban
.apic afaara
sections, and discomfort with agricultural pur-
suits The farmers son, not satisfied with his
fathers simple and laborious life. joins the
eager chase for easily acquired wealth
We discover that the fortunes realized by our
manufacturers longer solely the reward
Of sturdy industry and enlightened foresight
but that they result from the discriminating favor
Of the Government, and are largely built upon un-
due eXactons from the masses of our people
The gulf between employers and the employed is
constantly widening, and classes rapidly form
ing, one comprising the very rich and powerful,
while in another are found the toiling poor.
As We view the achievements Of aggregated
capital we discover the existence of trusts, COM
bnatons and monopolies, while the citizen is
struggling far in the rear or is trampled to death
beneath an iron heel Corporations which should
be the carefully restrained creatures of the law
and the servants of the people, are fast becoming
the peoples masters.
Still congratulating ourselves upon the wealth
and prosperity OF our country, and complacently
contemplating every incident OF change nseparable
from these conditions it is duty as patriotic
citizens to inquire, at the present stage of our
progress, how the bond of the Government made
with the people has been kept and performed
THE SURPLUS AND THE TARIFF
Instead of limiting the tribute drawn from our
citizens to the necessities Of its economical adj
ministration, the Government persists in cxactng,
from the Substance OF the people, millions which,
unapplied and useless, lie dormant in its Treasury.
This fragrant injustice and this breach OF faith
and obligation add TO cxtortion the danger at
tending the diversion of the currency of the
country from the legitimate channels of business.
Under the same laws by which these results
are PRODUCED the Government permits many mill
ions more 10 be added to the cost OF the living
OF our people and TO be taken from our consumers,
which unrcasonabIy swell the profits OF small
but powerful minority.
The peopIe must still be taxed for the support
of the Government under the operation OF tariff
laws But 10 the extent that the mass OF our
citizens are inordinately bardened beyond any
useful public purpose ami for the benefit Of a
fay ored few, the Government, under preteAt of
an exercise OF It's taxing power enters gratutonsly
into partnership with these iaVorites, 10 .Iieif
advantage and TO the injury OF a vast majority or
This Is not equality before the law
The existing situation is injurious TO the health
~ onr entire body-politic. IL STILES. in those
for whose benefit it is permitted, all patriotic love
OF country, and substitutes IN lts place scIhsh
0rced and erasujng ayarice. Devotion TO Amer |
i lean Citizenship for its own sake and for what
IL should accomplish as a motive 10 our Nations |
ad, ancement and the happiness OF all our people,
is disnIaced by the assumption that the Govern |
mr. mt, instead of being the en-. bodiment Of equal
ify. is but an instrumentabty through which |
especial and individual Advantages are 10 be
gained ..-.,., |
The arrogance of this assumption is uncOncealed
It appears IN the sordid disregard OF all but |
personal interests. in the refusal 70 abate LOT the
and in combinations to perpetuate such advant,
ages through efforts to control legislation and