Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-01-04
True to Tariff Reform.

The annual banquet of the Massachusetts,
Tariff Reform League was held in Boston
on December 2Sth and was one OF the most
brilliant political gatherings of the season.
Hon. w. e. Russell presided, the principal
speaker being Secretary Fairchild. Letters
and Speaker Carlisle. The folio wing is the
letter Of the President
Gentlemen am exceedingly sorry that
l cannot be present at the annual dinner OF
the Massachusetts Tariff Reform League on
the 28th inst. 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 appre.
citation of their important services in cause
to which | am earnestly attached, and to
acknowledge at the same their frequent and
encouraging manifestations of personal
iriendliness. | know, too, that it would be
profitable and advantageous to be even Tor
brief period within the inspiring influence
OF the atmosphere surrounding patriotic and
unselfish men banded together in the inter
ests of their fellow-countrymen and devoted
to the work of tariff reform. This reform
appears to me to be as far-reaching iu its
purpose as the destiny of our country, and
as broad in its benefcence as the welfare OF
our entire people. 1t is because the efforts
of its advocates are not discredited by any
sordid motive that they are able boldly and
confidently TO attack the strongholds OF self.
ishness and gree1. Our institutions were
constructed in purity of purpose and love
for humanity Their operation is adjusted
TO the touch of national virtue and patriot.
ism, and their results, under such guidance,
must be the prosperity and happiness Of our
people, and so long as the advocates of tar
iff reform appreciate the sentiments in which
our institutions had their origin; so long as
they apprehend the forces which alone can
guide their operation So long as they, in u
spirit of true patriotism, are consecrated to
the service OF their country temporary de-
feat brings no encouragement. 1t but proves
the stubbornness of the forces OF combined
selfishness, 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 intelligence of the peo
pie is a surrender and an abandonment OF
the struggle. To arouse their intelligence
and free It from darkness 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 pion-
eers fail TO reach the heights. Holding fast
their faith and rejecting every alluring over
ture and every deceptive compromise, which
would betray their sacred trust, they them.
selves shall regain and restore the patrmo.
ny OF their countrymen, freed from the tres
pass OF grasping encroachment and safely
secured by the genius Of American justice
| and equality. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Speaker Carlisle expressed his regret al
not being able to be present, and said all car
do is 10 send you the assurance of my warm
est sympathy with every effort that may be
made to advance the peoples cause in the
struggle now going on between the friend.
of industrial freedom and the be neficiares o
industrial slavery. This struggle has jus
commenced in this country, and those who
delude themselves with the hope that ii will
be abandoned bofore the triumph of right
over wrong are simply augmenting the
weight OF the blow that will inevitably fall
upon them in the near future. This /.
not threat, but a friendly warning The
history of all movements for necessary socia
and political reforms shows that they grow
more radical by opposition and delay and
it would be wise and patriotic upon tht
part OF our opponents to recognize the in
| evitable and accede to reasonable demands
now, rather than be forced to accept harder
terms hereafter. So far the sentiment in
favor of a reduction of taxation and removal
of commercial restrictions has been conser.
vative, and if it does not continue to be So
the responsibility will rest solely on those
who unreasonably oppose it. They alone
can stop the agitation or contine it within
reasonable grounds by proper concessions
to the demands of the people. The result
OF the contest in which we are engaged is
not in the least doubtful, and unless the
evils of which we complain are removed
which seems not at all probable,the agitation
should go right on with increased vigor an,
force until the public Judgment and con.
science refuse to justify or condone them
Nothing has yet occurred to weaken our
faith in the justice of our cause or to abate
our confidence in its ultimate success "a
single defeat, even if il had been sustained
on the real merits of the controversy, ought
not to discourage us. No just cause is lost
so long as it has single earnest advocate
among the people. More than five and
a.half millions Of intelligent and patriotic
Americans have attested their fidelity to the
cause of revenue reform under circumstances
we'll calculated to test the sincerity of their
opinions, and they will neither desert its
standard nor make peace with the enemy
until at least substantial justice is done