The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-01-23
BATHING FOR REFORM.
What Was Said at the Annual Banquet
of the Massachusetts, League.

shusettS Ia1ltf-Reform League, which |
took place at the Hotel Vendome:
Boston, proved to be one of the most
brilliant political gatherings of the
season. The principal guest OF the
evening was United States Secretary
of the Treasury Fairchild. Among the
others were President Eliot, of Har-
ward; Colonel T. w. Higginson, Hon.
P. A. Collins, not to rejoice over po-
litical victory, but gathering in the
interests of the propagation OF a great
politico-economic reform. Referring
to the election the chairman said there
was misfortune in the defeat OF Pres
ident Cleveland, a brave and honest
man, who refused to catch at votes
when his country's good was at stake.
Three cheers were given for President
Cleveland. President Cleveland's let
ter was then read as follows:
"ExECuTIvE MANSION. WASHINGTON. Dec.
A-lfessrS. Sherman HoGr and Others Commit
tee-Gentlemen: am exceedingly sorry that
can not be present at the annual dinner OF the
is not merely formal and common expression
of regret. 1t truly indicates how much I should
enjoy meeting the members Of your league,
and how glad should be to express in person
my appreciation OF their important services in
cause to which am earnestly attached, and
to acknowledge at the same time their ire
quenr and encouraging manifestations Of per-
sonal frendliness. know, too, that it would
be profitable and advantageous to be, even Tor
brief period, within the inspiring influence of
the atmosphere surrounding the patriotic and
unseltish men banded together in the interests
of their fellow countrymen, and devoted to the
work of tariff reform. This reform appears to
me- to be as far-reaching in its purposes as the
destiny OF our country, and as broad in its
bene ticence as the welfare Of our entire peo-
pie. 1t is because the efforts of its advocates
are not discredited by any sordid motive
that they are able boldly and confident
ly to attack the strongholds of sell
fshness and greed Our institutions were
constructed in purity OF purpose and love for
humanity. Their operation is adjusted to the
touch Of National virtue and patriotism, and
their results under such guidance, must tie
the prosperity and happiness of our people;
and so long as the advocates OF tariff reform
appreciate the sentiments in which our inst-
tutions had their origin; so long as they app-e
bend the forces which alone can guide their
operation SO long as they in spirit Of pure
patriotism are consecrated to the service OF
their country, temporary defeat brings no dis
enlargement. 1t but proves the stubbornness
OF the forces of combined selfshness, and dis
closes how far the people may 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 a surrender
and an abandonment of the struggle. To
arouse their Intelligence and free it 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 who fall in the march.
But there will be neither despair nor dead
hopes in the path of tariff reform; nor shall
its pioneers fall to reach the heights Hold ng
fast their faith and rejecting every alluring
overture and every deceptive compromise
which would betray their sacred trust, they
themselves shall regain and restore the patr.-
mony OF their countrymen. freed from the
trespass of graspng 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
rotary Fairchild as a representative
of the Administration. The Secretary
spoke in substance as follows:
| He expressed his appreciation Of the honor
| conferred by asking him to be the guest of the
league, and said that the last election had by
no means decided the question of tariff and
tariff reform. The struggle has only begun
and the end is not yet; the record of the late
| canvass brings no Encouragement to our cause,
but Oh the contrary high hopes for the future.
It shows us that wherever intellect was
aroused, thought invoked and experience APP
pealed to, we made great gains; that we lost
only in those places where mind was dominated
| by passion, where craftsmanship and tire blind
prejudice of race and section overcamo beney-
olence and love for whole country. It IS true
the tariff should be settled and forever re-
moved from the domain of politics, for it not
only disturbs business, but infinitely worse, it
! prevents the simple purpose OF universal be-
| neticence for which alone 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 citi-
zens becomes the chief characteristics of the
peoples representatives. 1tdegrades business
and often makes success therein the prize OF
dishonor; it corrupts the people.
But how can this question be settled? There
are two kinds of so-caeied protective tariff-the
one old-fashoned, now nearly obsolete, that Of
Henry Clay, sometimes called the promoter OF
infant industries, the underlying principle Of
which was, if rightly understand it, that there
| were certain important industries which, II
| sustained by the promise OF an assured mar
ket in this country, would in short time be
come so established that they could give theil
products to people as cheaply as they
could be bought anywhere in the world; the
other the modern protective tariff. The tar f
which was embodied liz the platform of the
rarity successful in the late elect on has as it:
foundation the principle that it is best for TIT
American people to buy and use certain ar
ticles, or in the language of the late Republican
platform, articles which can be produced il
this country, only when thus produced or man
ufactured, cost what they may, and that to thu
promotion of this end all the powers OF thu
Federal Government should be invoked. Th
statement of the principle OF this protective
tariff shows it can be settled; it could even bt
embodied in the constitut on. We have but tt
provide that no articles which can be produce,
or made in this country shall be imported, O.
that they shall be subject to duty OF, say, LOO
per cent. ad yalorem. This would settle tn
question and remove it from politics. Thi
settlement, however, can only be had after tn
principle involved has been held naked befor
the people, has been fully considered and &
cussed by them and approved by an over
whelmng majority.
This question has not been so presented t
the people, and the blame for its non-preseni
ment rests with those business men and mar
ufacturers who were SO active in the late Car
vass and who will now complain that your ag
dc to djS% hat bich ror thai IT
terest ought to be settled. l don't remembe
one document OF one argument actively circr
lated among tho people during the last yea
which presented or attempted to present thi
question pure and simple: on the Other han
we can al recall many documents and appeals
The sole purpose of which was to divert men
thoughts from that question and to confuS