The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-01-31
CLEVELAND VS.. JACKSON.


In his speech on Jackson day at
Philadelphia MI. Cleveland referred
to the hero as an apostle of true
Democracy, and SO he was. But to
remind Mr.. Cleveland of the differ
ence between Jackson's Democracy
and his own, we beg leave to call his
attention to the following declaration
made by Jackson a little over sixty
years ago, in which he defined the
position of the party on the tariff:
The power to impose duties ON
imports originally belonged to the
several States. The right to adjust
these duties with a view to the ell
enlargement of domestic branches of
industry is so completely identical
with that power that it is difficult to
suppose the existence of the one
without the other. The States have
delegated their whole authority over
imports 10 the general Government
without limitation or restriction, say
in. the very inconsideraDlc reserva-
ton respecting their inspection laws.
This authority having thus entirely
passed from the States, the right 10
exercise it for tie purpose of protec-
ton does not exist ia them; and, con-
sequently, if it be not possessed by
the general Government, it must be
extinct. Our political system would
thus present the anomaly of a people
stripped of the right to foster their
own industry, and counteract the
most selfish and destructive policy
that might he adopted by foreign
nations. This surely cannot be the
case; this indispensable power thus
surrendered by the States. must be
within the authority expressly delegat-
ed to Congress,
In this conclusion l am confirmed
al well by the opinions of Washing
ton, jefferson, Madison, and Monroe,
who have each repeatedly recon-
mended the exercise OF the right
under the Constitution. as ~ the
uniform practice OF Congress, the
continued ac~quiescence of the States
and the general understanding of the
people.
That our deliberations on this in
t~eresting subject should be unin.
flucnced by those partisan conflicts
that are incident to free institutions
is the ferveHt wish of my heart. To
make this geat question, which un.
happily so much divides and. exciteS
the public mind, subseryicmt to the
short-sighted views of faction, must
destroy all hope of settling it salts.
factorily TO the great body of the
people. aud for the general interest
| cannot, on taking leave of this sub
jet, too earnestly, for my own feel
ings or for the common good, warn
you against the consequences OF such
a COURSE
Contrast this declaration with the
doctrine laid down in Mr.. Clevcland's
famous and disastrous free trade
message and we may readily discern
the difference between true Democ
racy and spurious Democracy. VIZ
may also learn from repeated expert
mcnts that it is the true Democracy
that commands the confidence OF til,
country and wins victories at tn,
polls, and moi the false kind. The
platform on which Mr.. Cleveland wa.
elected. framed by the lamentet
Randall, had the true Jacksonial
about it, and it won. The platform
framed under the inspiration of Mr.
Clevcland's message and a bottle o
whiSkcy did not have the true Democ
racy in it, and it lost. Mr.. Cleveland
should observe that it is only tht
genuine article that wins victories
while the false article. 10 matter
what the label may be, invariably
brings disaSter.-Big Stone (Vu.) Post