The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1892-10-05
CLEVELANDSLETTER
Al CLEAN, COMP REHENSIyE
AND STRAIGHTFOR-
WARD PAPER.

WARD PAPER.
The Meaning Appears on the
Line, Not Between it--The
Democratic Creed.
70 Hon. William L. Wilsoa and OH
ers, Committee, etc.
GENTLEMEN:-In responding
to your formal notification OF
my nomination to the presiden.
cy, by the national democracy,
/ hope | may be permitted to
say at the outset that continued
reflection and observation have
confirmed me in my adherence
to the opinions with which |
heretofore plainly and publicly
declared, touching the questions
involved in the canvass. This
is time, above all others, when
these questions should be con-
sidered in the light afforded by
a sober apprehension of the
principles upon which our gov
ernment is based, and a clear
understanding of the relation it
bears to the people for whose
benefit it was created. We shall
thus be supplied with a test by
which the value of any PROPOSE
tion relating to the mainten-
ance and administration of our
government can be ascertained,
and by which the justice and
honesty Of every political ques-
tion be judged. If doctrines or
theories are presented which do
not satisfy this test, local A
mericanism must pronounce
them false and mischievous.
The protection of the people in
the exclusive use andenjoyment
Of their property and earnings
concededly constitutes the es-
pecial purpose and mission of
our free government. This de-
sign is so interviewer with the
structure of our plan of rule that
failure to protect the citizen in
such use and enjoyment or their
unjustifiable diminution by the
government itself. is q betrayal
Of the peoples trust. We have,
however, undertaken to build a
great nation upon a plan especi-
ally our own. To maintain it
and 10 furnish through its agen-
cy the means for the accom-
plishment Of national objects,
the American people are will
ing, through Federal taxation,
to surrender a part of their earn
ings and income. Tariff legis-
lation presents a familiar form
Of Federal taxation. Such legis-
lation results as surely in a tax
upon the daily life of our peo.
| pie as the tribute paid directly
into the hands of tax.gatherers.
We feel the burden of these
tariff taxes too palpably to be
/ persuaded by any sophistry that
they do not exist, or are paid by
! foreigners. Such taxes repre-.
Isenting a diminution of the
property rights Of the people,
are only iustifiable when lai,l
and collected for the purpose Of
maintaining our government
and furnishing the means fol
the accomplishment of its legi'
innate purposes and functions,
This is taxation under the opera
I tion of q tariff for revenue. II
accords with the professions oi
American free institutions and
its justice and honesty answer
the test supplied by a correct
appreciation Of the principles
upon which these institutions
rest.
This theory of tariff legisla
tion manifestly enjoins strict
economy in public expenditures
and their limitation TO, Legitimate
fuses, in as much as it exhibits
as absolute extortiou and ex
action, by way Of taxation. from
the substance OF the people, be
lyond the necessities OF q careful
and proper administration ol
government. Opposed to thil
theory the dogma is now boldly
presented, that tariff taxation Il
justifiable for the express pur-
pose and intent Of thereby pro
, noting especial interests anC
enterprises. Such a proposition
is 50 clearly contrary 70 thl
spirit Of our constitution and 5,
directly encourages the distur
bance by selfishness and greeC
of patriotic sentiment that III
statement would rudely shocl
our people, II they had not al