The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-10-06

Committee, etc.:
GENTLEMEN.-In responding t.
Your formal notification of my nomi
Lotion to the Presidency by the Ma
t-0nal Democracy, l hope | may b.
lermitted to say at the outset tha
continued reflection and observation
lave confirmed me in my adheranct
t. the opinions which l have hereto
fore plainly and publicly declared
touching the questions involved in the
canvass.
This is a time above all others wher
these questions should be considered
in the light afforded by sober ap-
p-ehension of the principles upon
which our Government is based and
a clear understanding of the relation
it bears to the people, for whose bene-
fl. it was created. We shall thus be
supplied with test by which the value
of any proposition relating to the
maintenance and administration of oul
Government can be asCertalned and
b. which the justice and honesty O.
every political question can be judged
If doctrines or theories are presented
which do not satisfy this test local
Americanism must pronounce them
false and misChievous.
THE TARIFF TAX.
The protection of the people in the
exclusive use and enjoyment of their
property and earnings concededly con
stitutes the especial purpose and mis-
sion of our free Government. This
design is SO interviewer with the struc-
tu-e of our plan of rule that failure
to protect the citizen in such use and
enjoyment or their unjustifiable dimin
ution by the Government itself is a
betrayal of the peoples trust.
We have, however, undertaken to
build great nation upon a plan es-
pecially our own. To maintain it and
to furnish through its agency the means
for the accomplishment of national
objects the American people are will
ing, through Federal taxation, to sur
render part of their earnings and in
cc.ne. Such Legislation results as
ST., ely in tax upon the daily life of
orr people as the tribute paid directly
in 0 the hands of the tax-gatherers.
" feel the burden of these tariff taxes
to- palpably to be persuaded by any
SC shistry that they do not exist or are
ps d by foreigners.
A TARIFF FOR REVENUE.
Such taxes, representing dlmlnu-
ii Il of the property rights OF the peo-
plo, are only justiiable when laid and
collected for the purpose of maintain
irg our Government and furnishing the
means for the accomplishment Of its
legitimate purpose and functions. This
is ,axation under the operation Of a
ia # for revenue. 1t accords with the
p1 )fessions of American free lnstltu-
tions, and its justice and honesty
answer the test, supplied by a correct
a. probation of the principles upon
which these institutions rest.
This theory of tariff legislation
manifestly enjoins strict economy in
public expenditures and their limlta-
ten to legitimate public uses, mas
much as absolute extortion any exac-
tion by way of taxation from the sub
stance of the people beyond the neces-
sil es of a careful and proper admins
tration of the Government.
Opposed to this theory, the dogma
is now boldly presented that tariff
taxation is justifiable for the express
purpose and intent of thereby pro-
noting especial interests and enter
pr.ses. Such proposition is SO clearly
contrary to the spirit of our Constitu-
ton, and SO directly encourages the
disturbance by selhshness and a greed
of patriotic sentiment, that its state
ment would rudely shock our people,
if they had hot already been lnsidi-
ously allured from the safe landmarks
OF principle.
A PERNICIOUS DOCTRINE.
Never have honest desires for growth,
patriotic devotion to country, and
sincere regard for those who toll been
SO betrayed to the support Of a perni-
Cicus doctrine. In its behalf, the
plea that our infant industries should
be fostered did service until discred-
ited by our stalwart growth. Then
followed the exigencies of a terrible
war, which made our people needless
of ne opportunities for ulterior schemes
aft cded by the willing and patriotic
pa ayment of unprecedented tribute;