The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-09-15
VOL. XXIII.-NO. 45.

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applicable to this subject 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 remitted the redemption of
their party pledge to the doubtful power of
the Senate.
THE PEOPLE WILL NOT BE MIsLED.
The people will hardly be deceived by their
abandonment of the field of legislative action
to meet in political convention and aippantly
declare in their party platform that our con.
servative and careful effort to relieve the
situation is destructive to the American system
of protection. Nor will the people be misled
by the appeal to prejudice contained in the
absurd allegation that we serve the interests
OF Europe, while they will support the inter
ests of America
WHAT REPUBLICANS PROPOSE.
They propose in their platform to thus sup
port the interests of our country by removing
the internal revenue tax from tobacco and
from spirits used in the arts and for mechan-
ical purposes. They declare also that there
should be such revision of our tariff laws as
shall tend to check the importation of such
articles as are produced here. Thus, in pro-
posing to increase the duties upon such arti-
cles to nearly or quite prohibitory point,
they confess themselves willing to travel
backward in the road of civilization and 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 of
business, while they abandon our consumers
to the unrestrained oppression of the domes-
tic trusts and combinations which are in the
sane platform perfunctorily condemned.
ENTIRELY UNPRovIDED FOR.
They propose further to release entirely
from import duties all articles of foreign pro-
duction Except luxuries) the like of which
cannot be produced in this country. The
plain people of the land and the poor, who
scarcely use articles of any description pro-
duced exclusively abroad and not already
free, will find it difficult to discover where
their interests are regarded in this proposition.
necessaries; and this seems to be entirely un-
provided for in this proposed scheme to serve
the country.
ASKED FOR BREAD AND GIVEN STONE.
Small compensation for this neglected need
is found in the further purpose here announe-
ed and covered by the declaration that if
after the changes already mentioned there
still remains larger revenue than is requisite
for the wants of the government, the entire
internal taxation should be repealed "rather
than surrender any part of our protective
system"
Our people ask relief from the undue and
unnecessary burden of tariff taxation now
resting upon them. They are offered-free
tobacco and free whisky.
They ask for bread, and they are given
stone.
The implication contained in this party dec
laration that desperate measures are justified
or necessary to save from destruction or sur
render what is termed our protective system
should confuse no one. The existence of
such system is entirely consistent with the
regulation of the extent to which it shoul be
applied and the correction of its abuses.
THE SAFEST PLAN.
of course in country as great as ours,
with such a wonderful variety of interests,
often leading in entirely different directions,
it is difficult if not impossible to settle upon q
perfect tariff plan. But in accomplishing the
reform we have entered upon, the necessity of
I,ol, e oh, / hals
be content with reduction Of revenue involv-
ing 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 peo-
pie in their means of living, and at the same
time giving an impetus to our domestic enter
prises and furthering our national welfare.
If misrepresentation of our purposes and
motives are to gain credence and defeat our
present effort in this direction, there seems to
be no reason why every endeayor in the
future to accomplish revenue reform should
not be likewise attacked and with like result.
DISTRESS AND DISASTER FoREsEEN.
And yet no thoughtful man can fail to see
in the continuance of the present burdens of
the people and the abstraction by the govern
meut of the currency of the country inevitable
distress 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.
FAITH IN THE PEOPLES INTELLIGENCE.
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
intimidate them, let us urge the peoples in
terest and public duty for the vindication of
our attempt to inaugurate a righteous and
benefcent reform.
GRoyER CLEVELAND.