The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-12
CLEVELAND AND THE ALLIANCE.
DE lndorses it's Purposes AS Set Forth
in its Declaration.


PITTsBURG, PA. May liza Steubenvile,
o., special to the Pittsburg Post says:
"A few weeks ago ]. A. Hill, correspond
ing secretary of Oak Grove Lodge No. %,
OF the farmers alliance, near this city, wrote
TO ex-President Cleveland incIosing copy
OF the declaration of purposes Of the al
lance and asking for Mr. Cleveland's views
thereon. The following are the declaration
OF purposes and Mr.. Cleveland's reply:
DECLARATION OF PURPOSES.
profoundly impressed that we, the farmers
alhance, united by strong and faithful ties of
our declarations of intentions. We therefore
resolve to strive to secure the establish
ment of right and justice to ourselves
and our posterity. To labor for the
In the science of economical government. In
strict non-partisanship to indorse the motto:
In things essential, unity; in all things,
charlty' To secure purity of the elective
gently exercise it for the enactment and execu-
ton of laws which will express the most ad-
vanced public sentiment upon all questions
involving the interests of laborers and farmers.
10 develop a better state, mentally, morally,
socially and financially. To constantly
strive to secure entire harmony
and good will among all mankind and brotherly
love, among ourselves. To suppress personal,
unhealthful rivalry and all selfish ambition.
To assuage the sufferings of brother and sister,
bury the dead, care for the widows and educate
tne orphans; to exercise charity toward offend
ers; to construe words and purposes in their
most favorable light, granting honesty of pur-
pose and good intentions to others, and to pro-
tect the principles of the alliance unto death.
MR.. oLEvELAED's REPLY.
Mr.. Cleveland's reply was as follows:
New York. March "a, 1890.
J. A. HUI Corresponding Secretary:
DEAR SIR-I have received your letter accom-
panied by copy of the declaration of the
principles of the farmers alliance. see nothing
In this declaration that cannot be fully indorsed
by any man who loves his country, who be-
lieves that the object of our government should
be the freedom, prosperity and happiness
or all our people, and who believes that justice
and fairness TO all are necessary conditions to
its useful administration. 1t has always
seemed TO me that the farmers of the country
were especially interested in an equitable ad-
justment of our tariff system. The indiffer-
ence they have shown to that question and the
ease with which they have been led away from
sober consideration of their needs and their
rights as related to this subject have excited my
surprise Struggle as they may our farmers must
continue to be purchasers and consumers of
numherless things enhanced in cost by the
tariff regulations Surely they have right to
say that this cost shall not be increased for the
purpose or collecting unnecessary revenue or
to give undue advantage to domestic manu-
facturerS. The plea that our infant industries
need protection, which thus impoverishes the
farmer and consumer, is, in view Of our natural
advantages and the skill and ingenuity of our
people, hollow pretext. Struggle as they may,
our farmers cannot escape the conditions which
fix the price Of what they produce and sell ac-
cording to rates which prevail in foreign mar
kets flooded with the competition of countries
enjoying freer exchange Of trade than we. The
plausible presentation of the blessings Of a
home market should not deceive our de-
pressed and IMPOVERISHED aQriculturistS.
There is no home market for
them which does not take its
instructions from the seaboard, and the
seaboard transmits the word of the foreign
markets, Because my conviction that there
should be modification of our tariff laws arose
principally from appreciation of the wants of
the vast army of consumers, comprising our
farmers, our artisans and our workingmen, and
because their condition has led me to protest
against the present imposition, lam especially
glad to see these sections of my fellow country
men arousing themselves to the Importance of
tariff reform. Yours very truly
GROVER CLEVELAND.