St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-12
GREAT IS GROVER.
The Next President Writes to
a Lodge of the Farmers
Alliance.
His Subject Is the Immense
Evils a of Prohibitory I'M
port Duty.
He Expresses Surprise at the
Farmers Indifference to
Their Interests
And Qualification at the Not
able Indications Of an
Awakening.

STEUBENvILLE, O., May ia few
weeks ago j. A. Hill, corresponding
secretary of Oak Grove Lodge No. %.
Farmers alliance, near this city. wrote
to ex-President Cleveland. enclosing
copy of the declaration Of purposes OF
the alliance, and asking for Mr. Cleve
lands view thereon. Following are
copies of Mr.. Hills letter and Mr..
Cleveland's reply:
1Oak Grove Lodge, No. %, Farmers Alli-
ance. Steubenville, O., March II. 1890
Hon. Grover Cleveland. New York-Re-
spected Sir: May we presume 30 far upon
your patience as to ask short note from you
IN indorsing the principles OF the National
Farmers alliance, of the existence of which
you are no doubt aware and for
which We claim share OF the
fattaring results in Iowa last fall.
enclose our declaration Of purposes
for your consideration. and being
as we unfortunately are, the
living monuments of the evils OF prohib-
itory import duty, politely termed pro
tective tariff need add that we look to you
as the champion Of our cause and the man
of to-day, who had the courage to face defeat
rather than stand in any uncertain position
on the greatest issue of the day. A few en-
couragiug words from you will prove Won
derful incentive to further the efforts in be-
half or our common cause-tarif reform
Very respectfully yours, j. A. HILL.
Corresponding Secretary.
MR.. CLEVELAND'S REPLY.
March %. 1s9O.-J. A. Hill. Correspondent g
Sc eretary-Dear sir: I have received your
letter, accompanied by a copy of the deciara-
tions of principles of the Farmers alliance.
see nothing il this declaration that cannot
be fully indorsed by any man who loves his
country, who believes thar the object of our
government should be the freedom, prosper
Ity and happiness of all our people, and who
believes that Justice to all is q neces-
sary condition to its useful administration.
1t has always seemed to me that the farmers
of the country were especially interested in
an equitable adjustment of our tariff system.
The Indifference they nave shown to that
question. and the ease with which they have
been led away from q sober consideration OF
their deeds and their rights as related to this
subject have excited my surprise. Struggle
as they may. our farmers must continue tC
be purchasers and consumers of numberless
things enhanced in cost by tariff
regulations. Surely they have the
right to insist that their cost shall not be in
creased for the purpose of collecting unnec-
essary revenue or to give undue advantage
to domestic manufacturers. The plea that
infant industries need protection which i'm
poverishes the farmer and consumer. is, in
view of our national advantage and the skill
and ingenuity Of our people, hollow pre-
text. Struggle as they may, our farmers can
not escape the conditions which iZ
the prices Of what they produce
and according to the rates which prevail in
foreign markets flooded with the competi-
ton of countries enjoying freer exchange
of trade than we. The plausible presenta.
ton of the blessings of a home market
should not deceive our oppressed and i'm.
poverished agriculturists. There is no market
for them which does not take its instructions
from the seaboard: and the seaboard trans
mits the word of the foreign markets. Because
my conviction that there shall be mOdifica-
ton of our tariff laws arose principally from
an appreciation Of the wants of the vast army
of consumers, comprising our farmers, ouI
artisans and our workingmen, and because
their condition has led me to protest against
present imposItions. am especially glad tc
see those sections Of my fellow eountrymeI
aroustng themselves to The Importance OF
tariff reform. Yours very truly.
GROVER CLEVELAND.