The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-09-30
RATHER BRIEF
In Comparison With That of
President Harrison.
Grover CleVeIand'S Letter Of
Acceptance.

Taxation UnjustIfabIe in Times of
Peaee-Free Trade a Myth-The Force |
BnI-Currency-Pens
To Hon. William L Wilson and Others,
Committee etc:
GENTLEMEN-In responding to Jour
formal notification of my nomination to
the presidency by the national Democracy,
1 hope l may be permitted to say at the
outset that continued reflection and OBJ
servation haze confined me in my adher-
ence to the opinions, which 1 have hereto
fore plainly and publicly declared, touch
ing the questions involved in the canvass
This is time, above all others, when
these questions should be considered in the
light afforded by sober apprehension of
the principles upon which our government
is based, and clear understanding of the
relation it bears TO, the people Tor whose
benefit it was created. We shall thus be
supplied with test by which the value of
any proposition relating to the mainten-
ance and administration of our govern
ment can be aScertained, and by which the
justice and honesty of every political queS-
ton can be Judged. If doctrines or theories
are presented which do not satisfy this
test, loyal Americanism must pronounce
them false and mischieYous.
The protection in the exclusive use and
enjoyment of their property and earnings,
concededly constitutes the especial pur-
pose and mission of our free government.
This design is so interviewer with the
structure OF our plan of rule, that failure
TO protect the citizens in such use and en-
joyulent, or their uDjustifiable diminution
by the government itself, is betrayal of
the peoples trust
great nation upon plan especially our
own. To maintain IL and to furnish
through its agency. the means for the ao-
complishment of national objects, the
American people are willing through
faNa oval fay nm 70 CV1r q
their earnings and income
Tariff legislation presents familiar
form of federal taxation. Such legislation
results as surely in O tax upon the daily
life of our people as the tribute paid di-
rectly into the hands of the taxgatherer.
We feel the burden of these tariff taxes too
palpably to be persuaded by any sophlstry
that they do not exist, or are paid by for
eigners Such taxes representing a dimi-
mutton of the property rights of the people
are only justifable when laid and collected
for the purpose of maintaining our govern
ment, and furniHhing the means for the
accomplishment of its legitimate purpose
and functions. This is taxation under the
operation of q tariff for revenue 1t ac-
cords with the professions of American
free institutions and its justice and hon
esty answer the test supplied by correct
appreciation of the principles upon which
these institutions rest.
This theory of tariff legislation mani
testify enioins strict economy in public eX-
/
mate public uses, inaSmuch as 1t exhibits
as absolute eXtortion any eXaction, by way
of taxation, from the substance of the peo-
pie beyond the necessities of q careful and
proper administration of government
Opposed to this,theory, the dogma IS now
boldly presented, that tariff taxation is
| justifiable for the express purpose and
intent of thereby promoting especial inter
ests and enterprises Such proposition is
| so clearly contrary 20 the spirit of our con-
stitution and so directly encourages the
| disturbance by sslhsbness and greed OF pa
| triotic sentiment, that its statement would
rudely shock our people, if they had not
| already been insiduOusly allured from the
| safe landmarks Of principle Never have
honest desire for national growth, patriotic
| devotion to country. and sincere regard for
| those who toll been 50 betrayed to the sup
! port of q peTDiciOus doctrine
In its behalf, the plea that our infant In
dustries should be fostered did service I'M
| til discredited by our stalwHTt growth,
| then followed the eXigencieS of terrible
war which made our people Needless of the
! opportunities for Interior schemes afforded
by their willing and patriotic payment OF
unprecedented tribute; and now, after
| long period of peace. when our oyerbur-
! dened countrymen ask for relief and a
| restoration to a fuller enjoyment of their
| incomes and earnings, they are met by the
claim that tariff taxation, for the sake OF
| protection, is an American system, the
| continuance of which is necessary, in
order that high wages may be paid to our
WOThlllSlISAl t1u d IlOlilc maj HSS 10 pAO
| vided for our farm products.
| These pretenceS should no longer deceive.
| The truth is that such system is directly
antagonized by every sentiment of justice
| and fairness of which Americans are pre-
| eminently proud 1t is also true that while
| our workingmen and farmers can, least of
| all our pCople, defend themselves against
| the hardeB home life which such tariff tax
| alton DEGREES the workingman suffering
from the importation and employment of
| pauper labor instigated by his prOfessed
! friends, and seeking security for his inter
| estS in organized cooperation, still waits
| for division of the advantages secured to
| his employer under cover of generous so
| licitude for his wages, while the farmer Is
| learning that the prices of his products are
| fixed in foreign markets where he suffers
| from a competition invited and built up
| by the system he is asked to support
| The struggle for unearned advantages at
| the doors of the government tramples on
| the rights of those who patiently rely upon
assurances of American equality. Every
| governmental concession to clamorous
| favorites invites corruption in political al
| fairs by encouraging the expenditure OF
| money to debauCh suffrage In support or a
| selfish gain This in the end must strangle
| patriotism and weaken popular confidence
in the rectitude of Republican institutions
! Though the subject of tariff legislation
involves question OF markets; IL also IN
wolves question of morals. We can not
| with impunity permit injustice to faint
the spirit of right and equity which is the
life of our republic; and we shall fail to
! reach our national destiny If greed and
selfishness lead the way.
Recognizing these truths, the national
| Democracy will seek by the application Of
just and sound principles, to equallZe To
our people the blessings due them from the
government they support to promote
among our countrymen closer com
munity of interests cemented by patriot
ism and national pride, ana to point out
fair field, where prosperous and dlyerSlhed
American enterprise may grow and thrive
in the wholesome atmosphere of American
industry, ingenuity and intelligence
Tariff reform is still our, purpose
Though we oppose the theory that tariff
laws may be passed having for the object
the granting of discriminating and unfair
governme ntal aid to private ventures, we
wage no eXtermiDating war against any
Justment can be accomplished, in accord
ance with the principles we profess, with
out disaster or demolition. We believe
that the advantages of freer raw material
should be accorded to our manufacturers,
and we contemplate fair and careful dis
tribution of necessary tariff burdens.
rather than the precipitation OF free trade
We anticipate with calmnesS the mis-
representation of our motives and pur-
poses, instigated by q selfishness which
seeks to hold in uDrelenting grasp its I'M
fair advantage under present tariff laws,
We Will rely upon the intelligence OF our
that party comprising majority OF our
people is planning the destruction or injury
of American interests, and we know they
cannot he frightened by the spectre of i'm
possible free trade.
The administration and management of
our government depend on popular will.
Federal power is the instrument of that
will-not it's master Therefore the at
tempts of the opponents of Democracy to
interfere with and control the suffrage OF
the state through federal agencies devel-
ops design, which no explanation can
mitigate, to reverse the fundamental and
safe relations between the people and their
government. Such an attempt can not
fail to be regarded by thoughtful men as
proofs of a bold determination to secure the
ascendency Of discredited party in reck-
less disregard of free expression of the
popular will. TO resist such scheme is
an impulse Of Democracy. At all times
and in all places we trust the people. AS
against a disposition to force the way to
federal power, we present to them
as our claim to their confidence and sup
port, steady championship of their rights:
The people are entitled to sound and
honest money abundantly sufficient in
volume to supply their business needs. But
whatever may be the form of the peoples
10 a