The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-01-19
BATTLING For REFORM.
what Was Said at the Annual banquet
of the Massachusetts League.

Inc arnual banquet OF the MaSS0
chusotts Taiiff-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 L. w. Higginson. l. on.
p. A. Collins. not to rejoice over IA 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 u misfortune in the defeat of Pres
ident Cleveland, 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 s let
ter was then read as follows:
"ESECuTtvE MANSION WASHINGTON, Dec.
ai.-Messrs. Sherman Hodr and Others, Commit
tee--Gentlcmen: am exceedingly sorry that
can not be present ut the annual dinner OF the
Massachusetts Tariff Reform League. This
is not merely formal and common expression
OF regret. 1t 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
o cause to which am earnestly attached, and
to acknowledge Mt the same time their !re-
quent and encouraging manifestations OF per-
sonal friendliness know, too that it would
be profitable and advantageous to be, even Tor
o brief period, within the inspiring influence OF
tho atmosphere surrounding the patriotic and
unselfish men banded together in tho interests
Of their fellow countrymen, and devoted to the
work OF tariff reform. This reform appears to
me to be rs far-renchng in its purposes as the
destin ny Of our country and as broad in its
bene fcence as the welfare of our entire peo-
pie. 1t ia 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
fishness 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 be
the prosperity and happiness Of our people;
and SO long as the advocates OF tariff reform
appreciate the sentiments in which our nsti-
tutions had their origin; so long rs they appre
hend 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
couragement. 1t but proves the stubbornness
OF the forces OF combined selfshness, and dis
closes how far tho people may have bcen 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 n surrender
and an abandonment of the struggle. To
arouse their intelligence and free 1t 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 fail to reach the heights Holding
fast their faith and rejecting every alluring
overture and every deceptive compromise
which would betray their sacred trust, they
shall regain and restore the patrl-
mony of their countrymen. freed from the
trespass OF graspng encroachments, md 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
health was drank stand
ing. Another three cheers was given
and Mr.. Russell then introduced Sec
retary Fairchild as representative
of the Administration. The Secretary
spoke in substance as follows:
He expressed his appreciation OF the honor |
by asking him to be the guest of the |
League, aud said that the last election had by |
no means decided the question OF tarn and |
tariff reform. The struggle has only begun |
and the end IS not yet; the record Of the late |
canvass brings no discouragement TO our cause, |
but on the contrary high hopes for the future. |
II shows that wherever intellect was |
thought invoked and experience ap- |
pealed 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 benev- |
olence and love for q whole country. 1t is true |
the tarin should be settled, and forever re-
moved from the domain of politics, for it not |
only disturbs business, but infinitely worse, II |
prevents the simple purpose OF universal be-
lehcence for which alone our Government is
iLtcd. 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-
,ens becomes the chief characteristics of the
peoples representatives. II degrades business
and often makes success therein the prize of |
II corrupts tho people,
But how can this question be settled? There
ire two kinds of so-called protective tarf-the
rue old-fdshioned, now nearly obsolete, that of
henry Clay, sometimes called the promoter OF
infant industries, the underlying principle OF
which was, If rightly understand 1t, that there
we're certain important industries which, II
sustained oy the promise OF an assured mar.
ret In this country, would in short time be-
'ome SO established that they could give their
products TO our people as cheaply as they
oud be bought anywhere In the world; the
'ther tho modern protective tariff. Tho tarf
which was embodied in the platform of the
arty successful In the late elect on has MS its
the principle that it is best for the
american people TO buy and use certain ar
icles, or in tho language OF the late Republican
'latior;n, articles which can be produced in
his country. only when thus produced or man
cost what they may. and that to the
of this end all the powers OF the
federal Government should be invoked. The
tatement of the principle OF this protective
ar n shows It Gun be settled; It could even be
mbodied in the constitution. We have but to
rovide that no articles which can be produced
r made In this country shall be imported, or
hat they shall be subject to duty OF, say 1000
or cent. ad yalorem. This would settle the
uestion and remove It from politics This
ettlement, however, can only be had after the
rinciple involved has been held naked before
he people, has been fully considered and d 8.
used by them and approved by an over
majority.
This question has not been so presented to
he people, and the blame for its non-present-
1ent rests with those business men and man |
facturers who were SO active In the late can
ass, and who Will now complain that your agi-
alton tends 10 disturb that which for their in
crest ought to be settled. / don't remember
ne document or one argument actively oirou-
ited among tho people during the last year
'hich presented or attempted to present this
uestion pure and simple; on the other hand
e can all recall many documents and appeals,
10 sole purpose OF which was to divert mems
ioughts from that question and to confuse
heir minds upon this issue.
II would be wearisome, said the speaker, to