The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-01-02
THE ISSUE OF THE HOUR.
TARIFF REFORM MUST SURELY CONE.
Annual Banquet of the Tariff Reform
League of Observation-Disclosures. Fair
child, President Cleveland and Speak -
er Carlisle Heard From.

BosToN, Dec. 2S.-The annual banquet of the
Massachusetts, tariff reform league took place
here at the Hotel Nendome this evening. The
principal guest of the evening was U. S. Secre-
tary of the Treasury Fairchild. Among the
others were the president-elect of Harvard
college, T. w. Higginson, the Hon. p. A.
Collins, Henry L. Pierce, the Hon. George 5.
Hale, c. r. Goldman, the Hon. Leopold Morse,
Jesse Metealf and William Endicott The
Hon. W. L. Russell presided and In an open
ing speech said the gathering was not one OF
interested capitalists to rejoice over political
victory, but a gathering in the interests OF the
propagation of great political economic re-
form. President Cleveland's letter was then
read. Ii was as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, /
WASHINGTON, Dec. ~
Messrs. Sherman, Hoar and Others, Committee:
GENTLENEN-I am exceedingly sorry that | can
not be present at the annual dinner OF the Massa-
chusetts tariff reform league the 2sth inst.
This is not merely formal and common express
sion OF regret Ii truly indicates how much should
enjoy meeting the, members OF your league,
and how glad should be to express in person my
appreciation of their important services in to
which / am earnestly attached, and to acknowledge
at the same time their frequent and encouraging
manifestations OF personal friendliness L know
too, that IL would be profitable and advantageous to
be even Tor brief period within the inspiring lnhu-
ence OF the at nosphere surrounding patriotic and
their felow-countrymen and devoted to the work of
tariff reform.
This reform appears to be as far-reachng in its
purposes the destiny OF country aud as broad
IN its benefcence the welfare of entire people
1t is because the efforts of its advocates are not dis
credited by any sOrdd motives that they are able
boldly and confidently TO attack the strongholdS OF
structed i'm purity OF purpose and love for humanity
Their operation is adjusted TO the touch Of national
virtue and patriotism aud their results under such
guidance must be the Tr Isperity and happiness of
our people; and so long the advocates of tariff re-
form appreciate the sentiments in which our instl-
buttons had their origin; so long they apprehend
the forces which alone can guide their oPeraon so
long they in spirit OF true patriotism, are con-
secTaed to the service OF their country, temporary
defeat brings Encouragement. il but proves the
stubbOrnness of the forces of combined selishneSs
and discloses how far the people have been led
aStray, and how great is the necessity of redoubled
efforts in their behalf To lose faith in the inteli-
gence OF the people IS a surrender and an abandon
mcnt of the struggle. To arouse their intelligence
and free il from darkness and delusiOn gives
ance OF speedy and complete victory.
In the track of reform are often found the dead
hopes OF pioneers and the despair of those who fall
in the march. But there will be neither despair nor
dead hopes in the path of tariff reform, nor shall its
pioneers fail to reach the nights Holding fast their
faith and rejecting every allurng overture and every
deceptive compromise which would betray their
sacred trust, they themselves shall regain and re-
store the patrimOny OF their countrymen, freed
safety secured by the genius of American justice and
equity. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Applause on the reading of the letter having
abated President CleveIands health was
drunk standing. Another three cheers was
given, and Mr.. Russell then introduced Secy.
Fairchild as representative of the administra-
ton.
Secy. Fairchild, after expressing his APP
probation of the honor conferred by asking
him to be the guest OF the league, said that the
election has by no means decided the question
of the tariff and tariff reform. The struggle
has only begun, and the end is not yet. The
record of the late canvass brings no discourage
ment to our cause, but, on the contrary, high
hopes for the future. 1t shows us that where
intellect aroused, thought invoked and
| experience appealed TO, we made great gains;
! that we lost only in those places where mind
was dominated by passion; where partisanship
and the blind prejudice of race and section
| overcame benevOlence and love for whole
| country. 1t is true the tariff should be settled
| and forever removed from the domain OF poll
tics for it not only disturbs business, but, infin
! itely worse, 1t prevents the simple purpose OF
| universal benefcence for which alone our gov
eminent is fitted. 1t converts our legislative
| halls into scenes of barter between conflicting
interests, where wrangles over means to enable
/ men to get more and still more money from
our citizens become the chief characteristic OF
| the peoples representatives. 1t degrades busl.
ness and makes success therein the prize OF
| dishonor. 1t corrupts the people.
But how can this question be settled? There
| are two kinds of sO-called protective tariffs
the one old fashioned, now nearly obsolete
| that of Henry Clay sometimes called 'The
| Promotion of Infant Industries" the under
! lying principle of which was if rightly under
! stand il, that there were certain important in
| dustres which, II sustained by the promise OF
| an assured market in this country, would in
| short time become so established that they
| could give their products to our people as
| cheaply they could be bought anywhere in
| the world; the other, the modern protective
tarif-the tariff which was embodied in the
| platform of the party successful in the late
| electiOn-has as its foundation the pTincl-
! pie that it is best for the American people
| to buy and certain articles or, in the
| language of the late republican platform,
! articles which can be produced In this country
| only when thus produced or manufactured,
! cost what they may, and that to the promotion
of this end all the powers of the federal gov
eminent should be invoked. The statement of
| principles of this protective tariff shows it can
| be settled. 1t could even be embodied in the
| constitution. We have but TO provide that no
| articles which can be produced or made IN this
| country shall be imported or that they shall
| be subject TO a duty say of 900 per cent adj
valorem. This would settle the question and
remove it from politics. This settlement, how
ever can only be had after the principle
involved has been held naked before the
people, has been fully considered and discussed
| by them and approved by an overwhelming
| majority. This question has not yet been so
| presented TO the people, and the blame for its
preSentlnenI rests WIFI lilOSe DuSlDeSS men
and manufacturers who were active in the
| late canvass and who will now complain that
| your agitation tends to disturb that which, for
their interest, ought to be settled. l do not
| remember one document one argument
actively circulated among the people during
| the last year which presented, or attempted 10
| present, this question pure and simple.
On the other hand, we can all recall many
documents and appeals the sole purpose OF
which was to divert mems thoughts from this
question and TO confuse their minds upon this
! issue 1t would be wearisOme to tell the long
! list of non-arguments, and yet 90 TO any north
| ern moral community and ask the inhabitants
TO give a reason for their action upon the tariff
/ and see if you will get a satisfactory reply.
| Now and then you may hear a nebulous some
! thing about a home market, but 1t will be
nebulous indeed.
| No; such arguments so presented have not
| settled and cannot settle a principle for the
J future. We are told that this modern tariff
! idea is popular in some of the southern states,
| and the party which advocates it will soon be
| strengthened by their support. This may or
| may not be true. They can only be gained Tor
| it by presenting it clearly and fairly to the
i people of these states. They cannot besvon
| by picturing TO the people of the North the
dangers which they have to fear from old men
| who ceased to be rebel brigadiers before many
any of those states can be gained for that cause,
after an argument fairly made, it must be re-
| membered that many n northern man and
| many q northern state must be released for
broader, freer thought, and that the exchange