Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-09-27

To the Hon. William L. Wilson and
Others, Committee, ETC.:
Gentlemen-In responding to your
formal notification of my nomination 10
the presidency by the national Democracy,
/ hope may be permitted to say at the
outset that continued reflection and observ.
alton have confirmed me in my adherence
to the opinions which / have heretofore
plainly and publicly declared touchingt the
questions involved in the canvass
This Is time, above all others, when
these questions should be considered In
the light afforded by the sober apprchen
sion Of the principles upon which om
government is based, and clear under
standing of the relation 1t bears TO the
people for whose benefit il was created.
We shall thus be supplied with test by
which the value of any proposition re-
latng TO the maintainance and admins
tration Of our government can be ascer
tained, anC- by which the justice and
honesty of every political question can bs
judged II doctrines or theories are pre-
sented which which do not satisfy this
test, loyal Americanism must pronounce
them false and mischevious. xss
The protection of the people In the ex-
elusive use and enjoyment OF their prop
erty and earning concededly constitutes
the especial purpose and mission of our
free government. This design is so inter.
woven with the structure of our plan of
rule that failure to protect the citizen in
such use or enjoyment or their unjusti-
table diminution by the government itself
Is q betrayal of the peoples trust.
We have, however, undertaken to build
great nation upon plan especially our
own. To maintain IL and To furnish
through it's agency the means for the ac-
complishments of national objects, the
American people are willing through fed
raj taxation, to surrender
A Part OF Their Earnings and Income.
Tariff legislation presents a familiar
form Of federal taxation. Such legisla-
tion results as surely in "a tax upon the
daily life OF our people as the tribute paid
directly into the hands of the tax gatherer.
We feel the burden of these tariff taxes
too palpably to be persuaded by any
sophistry ,hat they do not exist or are paid
by foreigners.
Such taxes, representing diminution
Of the property rights OF the people, are
only ju ,tiiabe when laid and collected
for the purpose of maintaining our gov
ernment and furnishing the means for
the accomplishment of its legitimate pur-
under the operation of a tariff for revenue.
1t accords with the professions of Ameri-
can free institutions, and its justice and
honesty answer the test supplied by cor
rect appreciation of the principles upon
which these institutions rest.
This theory of tariff legislation mani
festly enjoins strict economy in public ex-
penditures aud their limitation to legi-
timate public uses, inasmuch as il
exhibits as absolute eXtortion any eX-
action, by way of taxation, from the
substance Of the people. beyond the neces-
stiles of a careful and proper administra-
tion Of government.
Opposed To this theory the dogma Is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is
justifable for the express purpose and in
tent of thereby promoting especial in
terests and enterprises. Such a PROPOSE
tion Is so clearly contrary 70 the spirit Of
our constitution and so directly encourages
the disturbance of sellshness and greed Of
patriotic sentiment that its statement
would rudely shock our people, II they had
not already been insidiously 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 so betrayed
TO the
Support of n Pernicious Doctrine.
In its behalf, the plea that our infant
industries should be fostered did service
until discredited by our stalwart growth;
then followed the exigencies of terrible
war, which made our people needless Of
the opportunities for ulterior schemes af-
forded by their willing and patriotic pay
ment OF unprecedented tribute; and now,
after a long period Of peace, when our
overburdened countrymen ask for relief
and restoration to a fuller enjoyment OF
their incomes and earn ngs. 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 bs paid 10 our
workingmen and homo market be pro
vided for our farm products.
These preteuces should no longer de
ceive. The truth is that such a system 1.
directly autagonized by every sentiment
Of justice and fairness OF which Americans
are pre- eeminently proud. 10 Is also true
that while our workingmen and farmer,
can the east II all our people defend them
selves aust the harder home life which