Helena weekly herald., 1888-09-13
GEN. HARRISON,S LETTER.

oates OF the Two RreaU pOiieiCdi pdItioS dP-
pear in close succession and will therefore
be more easily and thoroughly scanned by
the people for whom they are really in
tended, though addressed to the commit
tees of the conventions.
They present wide contrast in style
and spirit as well as in substance. That
of Cleveland is labored, involved and
rather hysterical in style. 1t is not such
one as we would expect from any former
productions of the President, but sounds
more like the speeches of Villas, nor is it
one such as we should expect to be ad-
dressed to the plain people of
the country for the purpose
of presenting important principles
of government aud political economy in
terms easily comprehended. That of Gen.
Harrison is simple and direct, easily COM
pretended by every one. Considered for
the purpose for which it is written, to state
popular truths for the consideration Of
people who are to be influenced by the m
in their actions and votes, that of General
Harrison is certainly far the most appro-
pirate and will prove the most effective.
1t does not need an interpreter. 1t does
not soar into the region of misty theories,
but deals with facts of every day expert
ence in practical life, within the range of
every readers comprehension.
Judged by Tallyrand's theory that
language is intended to concel rather than
express ideas, Cleveland's letter will carry
away the prize and such as it is, he is well
come to it.
In another respect the contrast is great.
While Cleveland's letter, like his message,
is foreign as we'll as theoretical in its ideas,
that of Gen. Harrison is peculiarly Ameri-
can as we'll as practical. The writer
stands on solid ground. We have protec-
tion in full operation under laws adopted
by Republican statesmen and which De-
mocracv as yet has been unable to repeal.
We know the prosperity that is begotten
of that policy. Our land is full of it. 1t
has yielded the revenues of our war debt,
an achievement that has filled the earth
with admiration. 1t has given US a ma
tional credit the envy Of the world. 1t
has given US the means to pay our great
debt to the soldiers of the Union. And
still the treasury is overfowing. 1t offers
US the means to build a navy that,
while protecting our sea coast, will
give us a commanding title to the
seas and their commerce, secure US the
alliance, friendship and trade of all weaker
nations, and decisive voice and influence
in the councils of all nations. We know
that our protective policy has made US
already the greatest manufacturing nation
in the world; that our laboring men are
better paid, fed, clothed, housed, educated.
We know that our home market is worth
more than all the other home markets in
the world. Standing on such solid ground
Gen. Harrison speaks with a confidence
that Cleveland can not have. The whole
burden of proof rests on those who would
make a change. Gen. Harrison, most
cearly shows that this question of surplus
of revenue is the easiest thing in the world
to provide for. For long time to come
every dollar can be applied to the redemp-
tion of outstanding Indebtedness, where it
will stop the payment of interest. The
main thing, as is shown, is to
protect our industries and give employ
ment to our wage earners at liberal
prices. For this purpose tariff is more i'm
portant than for the revenue it produces,
though the latter is not to be despised.
Wants multiply faster than the means to
satisfy them. If our revenue were to
double every ten years, there would be
profitable use for every dollar of it with
out any waste or extravaganza. Our busi-
ness and currency are not inflated. We
are on solid, specie-paying basis.
TNere are many points of importance COW
cred by Gen Harrison's letter that are not
even alluded to in Cleveland's longer ap-
peal for votes. Without mentioning
others at this time. observe the fact that
he recognizes the rank injustice of keep
ing the Territories excluded from their
natural right of admission as States. Every
citizen Of the Territories will feel grateful
to him for having remembered their con-
dition and will feel confident that with
him in the presidential Office their chance
of admission to Statehood will be much
better than with Cleveland, whose scheme
Of administration looks no further than
the interests of the Solid South and New
York city and is poor for them.
When he speaks of "vacillation and in
consistency as being incompatible with sue
cessfIl diplomacy or national dignity" he
gives home thrust to Cleveland's last
message on the subject of retaliation,
which he himself not did consider seriously
enough to include or allude to in his letter
of acceptance.
THAT SILVER RESOLUTION.
Among the miscellaneous resolutions
adopted by the Democrats at Butte, after
having endorsed Cleveland in every way,
shape and form, in his message, administra-
tion and nomination, comes first and fore
most q resolve in favor of Stree and un-
limited coinage of silver" etc. 1t sounds
rich, grand and fine. 1t was so we'll suited
to the nlaca of maatinQ in fha great Silver