Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-09-19


We concur with the late republican convention
in Iowa in its declaration that ''the protective
system fosters trusts and trade conspiracies" ]"
Both of the great political parties coneede the
federal government is collecting revenues largely
in excess of its necessities Both have repeatedly
promised to dispose of this surplus by re-
ducing taxation. The democratic party at
tempted to do this in good faith, and through its
representatives in congress passed tariff reduc-
ton measure which sought to tighten everybody's
burden by repeating the entire duties upon salt,
lumber, tin-plate and wool, and by reducing the
duties upon woolen goods, sugar, iron, etc. When
this bill went to the republican senators for their
action, they repudiated 1t and called it "free
trade measure" although its average rate of duty
was ten per cent higher than the war tariff of
1862 They passed a substitute which increased
the duties ON wooden goods, tin plate and other
necessities but lessened the revenues OF the coun
try by taking the taxes off of cigars, tobacco and
alcohol. They denied the people cheaper homes,
food and clothing.
The difference in these measures constitutes
the practical difference between the parties We
believe in tariff restricted to the needs of the
government yet SO adjusted as to prevent ine-
qualities, afford full compensation to labor, en-
courage productive industries and destroy mo-
nopolies We intend, upon our return to power,
to revise the tariff in that spirit. We shall do
nothing rash. We shall not destroy, but reform.
When we consider that the republican manu-
facturerers of New England are clamoring for
free iron and COAL that the electrical convention
calls for free "copper" while other interests here
and there join us in the demand for free raw ma
terial and when we observe that the most ultra
proteetionists are advocating an abrogation of
duties upon all articles which have been consol-
idated into trusts it looks if, in the adVanc
ing sentiments of the country the democratic
party was not only right, but also certain Of sue
cess.
We are also called upon to rebuke the hypocrisy
oftherspubican party in its dealings with thesol.
diers to whose valor and patriotism we owe an
inextinguishab1e debt. That party is the only
which, at any time since 1861, has had stimuli
aneous control OF all branches of the federal gov
ernnent Consequently, if the nation has in any
way or at any time been derelict in Its duty to
its defenders the responsibility lies with the re-
publican party. If that party desired to pass a
service pension law, as pretended by its present
state platform, it has had countless opportunities
to do so. The democratic party has done nobly
by the soldiers, although it is true that the late
democratic commissioner of pensions did not be-
gin his official career by increasing the pensions
of the overpaid subordinates in his employ nor
hunt up rich and influential senators and others
Tor the purpose of adding to theirstore of wealth
As we view the condition of the political world
we see much to encourage and nothing to dis
hearten. We find the labor element, which has
heretofore organized strongly for itself, now com
ing naturally and properly to us. Toward the
democratic party every man who tolls for bread
turns his face with JOY.
We also find the colored republican beginning
to groan under the lash Of the task master who
drives him to the polls and then refuses him par
ticipation in the rewards. We see in the socalled
@grand old party divided, demoralized fac
tion-ridden foe, torn by internal strifes and re-
belling against its bosses. To this half hearted
and disorganized host we present an unbroken
front.
There are no discussions, no chickering's no muir
murings Everv man is eager for the fray and
animated by q consuming desire to win back the
power corruptly wrung from us year ago. As
look into your earnest faces see that which we
already breathe in the air and feel tingling in our
blood-the assurance of q certain and glorious
victory.