Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-21
STUPID DEMOCRATS.

Democratic Labor Commissioner
Peck's report well nigh disorganized the
Democratic party by its merciless crush
ing of calamity fabrications, but it is
doubtful If it carried greater consterna-
ton into the free trade camp than the
public announcement by George Ticknor
Curtis that he could not support Cleve-
land and his free trade platform. Mr..
Curtis is now near the close Of his
eightieth year. Though hitherto warm
Democrat he finds himself compelled,
by his own self respect, to disavow the
ridiculous pronunciamento against the
constitutionality of protection which
was issued by the Democratic national
convention. His action cannot but i'm
press the intelligent men of both parties.
and indeed the intelligent of all lands
and races, for his fame as constitu-
tonal lawyer and author is bounded
only by the stars, and entities the rea-
sons he gives for revolving from the
Democracy to the respectful attention of
the world. The formal letter in which
his decision was first announced, and
which contains the reasons that i'm
PEELED him TO il, is given below:
GEORGE .TICKSoR CURTIS REPUDIArEs THE
CHICAGO PLATFORM.
To the Editor OF The American Economist:
SIR-In common with many other Demo-
Gratis | cannot follow the leaders Of the party
Ia denouncing Republican protection as a
fraud upon the labor OF the great majority Of
the American people for the benefit Of a few,
nor can | subscribe to the doctrine that pro-
tectiye tariff Is unconstitutional. / have no
pecuniary interest in manufactures, but
know what protection has done and Is doing
for this country. II IL operates for the benefit
OF the few. | am not one Of that few. l am one
OF the many; one Of the great majority bene-
fted by 1t, including those who denounce IL for
the sake OF obtaining political power.
IL the leaders Of political party assembled
Ia national convention for the purpose Of
nominating candidates for the presidency and
vice presidency choose 10 stultify themselves
by classifying history, they cannot expect to be
followed by others who have any habits Of In
dependent thought aud action. The learned
pundits who ~ere lately assembled at Chicago
Ia national convention OF the Democratic
part y. adopted by two-thirds vote and against
the report OF the committee on resolutions the
following "a plank In the Democratic plat
form:
1--WE denounce Republican protection as a
fraud upon the labor OF the great majority OF
the American people for the benefit OF few.
We declare il to be fundamental principle of
the Democratic party that tho federal govern
uent has no constitutional power TO impose
and collect tariff duties. except for the pur-
pose OF revenue only. We demand that tho
collection Of such taxes be limited 10 the necee-
stiles 81 the government when honestly and
economically administered"
In drafting aud voting for this resolution
the members either showed dense ignorance II
American political history or they manifested
purpose TO win votes by dsceiving the voters.
/ cannot. At the bidding Of these gentlemen.
unlearn the lessons Of my whole life The
greater part II my long life has been passed
IN the study OF American political history and
constitutional law.
II cannot claim to be sn authority on such
subjects I can point on. 20 others the true
sources from which 20 Gsvise inteF pref alton.
Of the Constitution. tn, - sources are not 20
ba found In recent 90. sGressionsl speeches.
whether made by members o. one party or an
other. They are % be fo4hd IN the interyresa-
tons given % the constitution By the first con
sress: BY Washinzton's administration. and
BY the succeeding adm nlstrAtions Of JsfTsr-
son. Madison. John Quincy Adams and Jack
son
have been requested nv the secretary 81
the American Protective Tariff league % giv.
my views - tbe protective issue as Il hss been
made b The two parties in the present cam
palgn. This shall do ia = Communication 20
b addressed % him. ~ which ne viii make
sush sss ss ne sees IT.
I su. Mr. Editor. very respectfully. your
$780, Tr~woo Co..