The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-09-06
The Great Issue for 1892.

1t may be, and doubtlessis difficult to fore
cast the action Of the Democratic Convention
Of 1892 in regard to Its selection of candidates
on the national ticket. Side issues, State
ambitions, personal and minor considerations
OF hundred sorts, will effect the chances of
almost all the men who are prominent in the
various representations that have been made
public. Besides future contingencies may yet
arise which will derange previous arrange
ments and disappoint all calculations.
But what is Gfue Of candidates is not true of
the issues. There can be no doubt as to the
cause for which the battle will be fought.
There is nothing in the splendid record of the
Democratic party which Democrats are justi-
fed in regarding with greater pride than the
steadfastness with which that party has
championed the rights of the people-sustain-
ing the sovereignty OF the State and the per-
sonal freedom of the citizen.
The Republican party has been the advocate
of interference with the liberty of States and
of individuals. 1t has favored lavish ex-
penditures, and championed excessive, un-
equal, and therefore, unjust taxation. The
result Of Republican rule has been, and lie, re-
stricted trade, giant monopolies, and the en-
richment Of the few at the expense OF the
many. The growth of these evils indicates
the nature of the fight which the Democratic
party must wage. By its unchanging prin-
ciples and by all its great historical traditions
1t must uphold the interests of the masses
against those of the classes.
1t will be found as a fact that, in free
governments, the question Of taxation and the
wise and proper use made of the money thus
obtained from the people is the important,
crucial, and final question In politics. The
people will ask why their burdens are in
creased and what is being done with their
money. We have arrived at period of the
country's history where all the people are
complaining of over-taxation and trade de-
preston. The agitations of the peoples
party, so-called, and of the Farmers Alliance
have in reality arisen from the inability of the
people to longer endure, without protest, the
enormous burden Of taxation under which they
suffer and the financial depression which is
the direct and necessary result of the policy of
the Republican party.
There is, therefore, one issue on which TIE
Democratic party must wage its contest In
1892. 1t cannot avoid it If it would. 1t is
called to stand squarely on the platform OF
Jefferson's inaugural, and of Cleveland's mes
sage of December, 1887. It's cry must be SIRE
trenchment and Reform"-retrenchmen in
expenditures that are almost pillage, and re-
form in taxation much Of which is unnecessary
and most OF which is unjust.
In regard to the resumption of specie pay
ments the late Mr.. Greeley used to say that
the way to resume was to resume. In like
manner it may be said in regard to the ex-
cessiVe and unequal taxation OF the present
tariff and the extravaganza Of this Admins
tration, that the way to relieve the people is to
remove the burden. In a proposition for
economical administration and tariff for the
necessary revenue is presented the great issue
on which the united Democracy of these
United States win fight and win the battle
Of 1892.