The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-09-15

revenue reform should be 80 plainly stated -
TO admit OF no Misunderstanding. We have
entered upon no crusade OF free trade. The re-
form we seek TO inaugurate Ia predicated upon
the utmost care for established Industries and
enterprises a Jealous regard for the interests OF
American labor, and sincere desire to relieve
the country from the injustice and damage OF
condition which threatens evil TO oil the people
Of tho land
We are dealing with no imaginary danger.
Its existence has been repeatedly confessed py
all political parties, and pledges OF remedy
have been made on oil sides. Yet, when In
legislative body, where under the constitution
all remedial measures applicable TO this suplect
must originate, the Democratic majority were
attempting with extreme moderation to redeem
the pledge common TO both parties they were
met by determined opposition and obstruction;
and, the minority, refusing to cooperate in the
House Of Representatives or propose another
remedy. have rcmitted the redemption OF their
party pledge TO the doubtful power Of the SEN
ate.
The people will hardly b, deceived by their
abandonment of the field Of legislative action TO
meet in political convention and nippantly de-
clare in their party platform that our conserva-
tive and careful effort to relieve the situation Is
destructive to the American system OF protec-
tion. Nor will the people be nisleS by the ap-
peal to prejudice contained In the absurd allega-
while they will support the interests OF Amer
lea.
They propose In their platform to thus support
the interests Of our country by removing the in-
tcrnal revenue tax from tobacco and spirits used
In the arts and for mechanical purposes. They
declare also that there should be such revi-
sion Of our tariff laws as shall tend to check the
importation Of such articles as nre produced
here Thus, In proposing to increase the duties
upon such articles to nearly or quite prohibf-
tory point, they confess themselves willing to
travel backward in the road Of civilization ana
to deprive our people Of the markets for their
goods, which can only be gained and kept by
the semblance, at least, OF an interchange or
business, while they abandon our consumers to
the unrcstrained oppression OF the domestic
trusts and combinations which are In the same
platform perfunctorily condemned.
They propose, further, to release entirely
from import duties all articles OF foreign pro-
duction Except luxuries) tho like OF which can
not be produced in this country. The plain
people OF the land and the poor, who scarcely
use articles OF any description produced exclu-
sivcly abroad, and not already free, will find IL
difficult to discover where their interests are
regarded In this proposition. They need in
their homes cheaper domestic necessaries and
this seems to be entirely unprovidcd for in this
proposed scheme to serve the country.
Small compensation for this neglected need
is found in the further purpose here an
nounced and covered by the declaration that II,
after the changes already mentioned, there
still remains larger revenue than is requisite
for the wants OF the Government, the entire in.
ternal taxation should be repealed, rather than
surrender any part Of our protective system"
Our people ask relief from the undue and un
necessary burden Of tariff taxation now resting
upon them. They are offered-free tobacco
and free whisky. They ask for bread and are
given stone.
The implication contained In this party
declaration that desperate measures are justi-
fed or necessary to save from destruction or
surrender what is termed our protective sys-
tenn, should confuse no one The existence Of
such q system is entirely consistent with the
regulation of the extent to which it should be
applied, and the correction Of its abuses.
or course, in q country as great as ours, with
such a wonderful variety of interests often
leading in entire different directions it is diff
cult, If not impossible, to settle upon perfect
tariff plan. But, in accomplishing the reform
we have entered upon, the necessity OF which
is so obvious. 1 believe we should not be con-
tent with reduction of revenue involving the
prohibition of importations and the
removal of the internal tax upon
whisky. 1t can be better and more
safely done within the lines of granting actual
relief to the people in their means OF living,
and at the same time giving an impetus to our
domestic enterprises and furthcring our Ma
tional welfare. II Misrepresentation Of our
purposes and motives are to gpil credence and
defeat our present effort in this direction, there
seems to be no reason why every endenvor in
the future to accomplish revenue rcform should
not be likewise attacked and with like results
And yet no thoughtful man can fail to see in
the continuance of the present burdens of the
people, and the abstraction by the Government
OF the currency of the country, inevitable dis
tress and disaster. All danger will be averted
by timely action. The difficulty of applying
the remedy will never be less and the blame
should not be laid at the door of the Democratic
party If it is applied too late.
With firm faith in the intelligence and pa.
triotism OF our countrymen, and relying upon
the conviction that Misrepresentation will not
influence them, prejudice will not cloud their
understanding, and that menace will not intim.
idate them, let us urge the peoples interests
and public duty for the vindication OF our at.
tempt to naugurate righteous and beneflcent
reform. GROVER CLEVELAND.