The Brookhaven leader., 1889-01-17
BATTLING foR REFORM.
what Was said at the Annual Banquet
~ the Massachusetts, League.

taSk place at the Hotel Vendome,
Boston, proved 10 be one Of the most
brilliant political gatherings of the
season. The principal guest OF the
evening rss United States Secretary
pf the Treasury Faifchild. Among the
Gthers we're President Eliot, Of Har-
ward; Colof:d r. w. Higginson, Hon.
p. A. Collins. not to rejoiSe over a po-
litical victory, but a gathering in the
interests OF the propagation OF a great
bolitieo-ec6nemic reform. Referring
TO the election the chairman said there
was misfortune in the defeat OF Pres
ident Cleveland, n brave and honest
man, who refused to catch at votes
when his cotirtry's good was at staIse.
Three cheers were given for President
Cleveland. President Cleveland's let
ter was then tesd as follows:
"ExEcuT1vE MANSION wAsHISGToS, Dec.
24-Messrs Sherman HoGr ami 6fksffi CSnunt,
tes-Gentlemen: 1 am exceedingly sorry mss
Can not be present at the annual dinner OF the
Massachusetts, Tariff Reform League. This
Is not merely formal and com mon expression
OF regret 1t truly indcates how much ] should
snjoy meeting the members OF your league
and how glad should be TO express In person
my appreciation OF their important services In
a caGse TO which am earnestly attached, and
TO acknowledge at the same time their fre-
ohent and encouraging Manifestations OF per.
sonal frierdliness. know; too, that IL would
be profitable and advantageous TO be, even ior
q brief period, within the inspiring influence oi
the atmosphere surrounding the patriotic and
unselfsh men banded together in the interests
OF their fellow countryIdcn, and devoted TO the
Work ~ tariff reform. This reform appears 70
me to be as fat-reaching in its purposes as the
desti ny of our country, and as broad in its
bene ficence as tire welfare oi our entire peo-
pie. 1t is because the efforts OF its acyscates
are not discredted by any sordid motive
that they ars able boldly and confident
ly to attack the strongholds OF sell
fshness ana greed. Our institutions were
constructed in purify OF purpose and love for
humanity. Their operation is adjusted TO the
touch Of National Virtue and patriotism, and
their results; under such gu:dancei must be
the prosperity and happiness of otr people;
and so long as the advocates OF tarlH reform
appreciate the sentiments In which our lnst''
tntians had their origin; SO long as they eppre
bend the to!ccs which alone can guide theft
operation; so long as they in spirit OF pure
patriotism are consecrated to the service OF
their country, temporary defeat brings no dis
couragement. 1t but proves the stuboornness
OF the forces OF combined seiishness, and dis
closes how far the people my have been led
astray and how great is the necessity OF re-
doubled efforts in their behalf. To lose faith
in the intelligence Of the people Is surrender
and an abandonment of the struggle. TO
arouse their intelligence and free il from dark
ness and delusion gives assurance OF speedy
and complete victory. In the track OF reform
| are often found the dead hopes OF pioneers
and the despair of those Tho 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 heights. Holding
| fast their faith and rejecting evary alluring
| overture and every deceptive COMPROMISE
which would betrav their sacred trust they
themselves shall regain and restore the patri-
mony OF their countrymtn. freed from the
| trespass of grasp:ng encroachments, and safe
ly secured by the genius OF American justice
and equality. Yours very truly
"GROvER CLEVELAND"
The applause following the reading
of the letter having abated. President
Cleveland's health was drank stand
ing. Another three cheers was given
and Mr.. Russell then introduced Sec
retary Fairchild as a representative
of the Administration. The Secretary
spoke in substance as follows:
conferred by asking him to be the guest of the
league, and said that the last election had by
no means decided the question or tafn and
tariff reform. The struggle has only begun
and the end is not yeti the record OF the late
canvass brings no encouragement to our cause,
but ON the contrary high hopes for the future.
1t shows US that wherever intellect was
aroused, thought invoked and experience ap-
pealed to- we made great gainsi that we lost
only in those places where mind was dominated
by passion, where partisanship and the blind
prejudice of race and section overcame benev-
olence and love for a whole country. 1t 10 true
the tariff should be settled and forever re-
moved from The domain OF politics. for it not
only dsturbs business, but infinitely worse. it
prevents the simple purpose OF universal De-
neicence for which alone our Government 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 G IT,
zens becomes the chief characteristics Of the
peoples representatives. 1t degrades business
aud often makes success therein the prize OF
dshonor; it corrupts the people.
But how can this question be settledf There
are two kinds OF so-called protective tarr-the
one old-fashioned, now nearly obsolete, that OF
Henry Clay, sometimes called the promoter of
infant industries the underlying principle of
which was, il rightly understand ii, that there
were certain important industries which, II
sustained by the promise OF an assured mar
keI In this country, would in q short time be-
come so established that they could give their
products 10 our people as cheapy as they
could be bought anywhere In the world; the
other the modern protective tariff. The tar
which was embodied in the platform of the
party successful in the late elect on has as its
foundation the principle that it is best for the
American people TO buy and use certain ar
ticles, or In the language Of the late Republican
platform, articles which can be produced in
this country, only when thus produced or man
ufactured, cost what they may, and that to the
promotion OF this end all the powers of the
Federal Government should be invoked. The
statement of the principle OF this protective
tarifr shows il can be settled; 1t could even be
embodied In the constitution. We have but to
provide that no articles which can be prod uced
or made in this country shall be imported, or
that they shall be subject to duty OF, say, 1000
per cent ad yalorem. This would settle the
question and remove it from politics. This
settlement, however, can only be had after the
principle involved has been held naked before
the people, has been fully considered and dis
cussed by them and approved by an over
whelming majority.
This question has not been so presented &c
the people, and the blame for its non present
ment rests with those business men and man
ufseturers who were so active in the late can
vass, and who will now complain that your ag.
tation tends TO disturb that which for their in
terest ought to be settled. / don't remember
one document or one argument actively circu
| lated among the people during the last yea
which presented or attempted TO present this
/ question pure and simple; on the other hanS
| We can al recall many documents and appeals
/ The sole purpose of which was TO divert mem
/ thoughts from that question and to confusi
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