The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-26
THE FIRST TARIFF BILL.

sum OF money lnlD the lJcdShiy 40 t'AN
wants OF the Government required; but
when Pennsylvania and a majority or
the House wished TO obtain that money
by adding arrangements Of detail under
the commercial Observation-Disclosures or
high and low duties, prohibition here
and freedom there-he acquiesced.
The Democratic contention is that Con-
gress, under the express power TO levy
and collect taxes, etc. is only empowered
TO obtain and appropriate money, but not
TO exclude imports In order TO prevent the
obtaining OF revenue. What Congress
may do under the taxing power is en-
tirely distinct from what IL may do under
the powers 10 regulate commerce with
foreign nations.
During the present campaign our oppo-
nents In their recklessness have even ven
tured to claim that "Old Hickory him.
self General Andrew Jackson) once
forced the policy Of protection. II he ever
did II must have been In the early stages
Of the country's history, when protection
was only sought as temporary expe-
dient. Certainly his later public utter
ances were all on the other side. He said
in his farewell address to his country
men: "A tariff Of high duties designed
for perpetual protection has entered into
the minds of but few Of our statesmen"
TEMPORARY PROTECTION.
The most they have anticipated is
temporary and general incidental pro-
lection. Rely upon It, the design TO col
lect an extravagant revenue and to bur-
den you with taxes beyond the economical
wants Of the Government is not yet
abandoned. The various interests which
have combined together TO impose
heavy tariff and to produce an overflow
ing treasury are too strong and have too
4 tt,.
The corporations and wealthy individ-
uals who are engaged in large manufac-
turing establishments desire high tariff
to Increase their gains. Designing poll
ticians will endeavor to conciliate their
favor and to obtain the means Of pro-
fuse expenditure.
To oppose this conspiracy Of selfish and
partisan interests, no lorger imagined,
but menacing reality, is the special
mission OF the Democratic party of to-
day.
The position Of the Democratic party
on the tariff question is so plain and
simple that every school boy under
stands IL. The Democratic party pro-
poses revision of import duties 1t does
not propose the destruction OF the tariff
but II proposes simply modification OF
1t.
We have not advocated and do not
advocate free trade because the Govern
ment needs revenue for its support. The
cry of free trade raised against us
by our adversaries Is a false, misleading
and irrelevant one but 1t will deceive
no intelligent man. We demand the re-
duction or abolition Of duties upon the
necessarles of life; we favor free raw
materials used in the manufactures, wider
markets for our productions ana the I'M
position Of lowest taxes consistent with
the needs of the Government.
WORD FOR THE CANDIDATES.
Our opponents are diligently seeking TO
ALLEVIATE the laboring people from the
Democratic party. The Republicans ap-
peal to the workmen with the false and
specious plea that the Democrats party
proposes to reduce the tariff upon manu-
factures so low .hat our manufacturers
cannot afford to pay the present rate Of
wares. Intelligent workingmen know well
enough that the question of wages de-
pends largely upon the matter OF the
supply and demand of labor Working
men know that in spite OF the Valueless
figures of statsticians and doctored CEN
sus returns and the uncorroborated as
sertions Of Republican newspapers, there
has been no general Increase of wages
under the Mckinley bill.
What shall l say of the Democratic
candidates, Cleveland and Stevenson?
They both are the Jeffersonian standard
OF fitness: both have been satisfactorily
tested in the public service. and both
represent the cherished principles of our
party In this campaign and are entitled
TO your suffrages EX-President Cleve-
land needs no eulogy at my hands. His
life and public service are fl miliar TO the
people. His administration--dign
honest and able-has safely withstood the
popular criticism has passed into his
tory and reflected credit upon the
country. His reelection will not only be
a public triumph, but it will also be the
vindication Of our principles and the
triumph Of the Democratic party.
THE FoCCE BILL.
The most important issue involved in
this election is that present ! by the
proposed Republican Federal Election
bill. otherwise known as the Davenport
Force bill.
If Republican success should ensue as
the result of the pending election, that
measure would become realty with all
its dire and unfortunate consequences
No prediction can be safely made as to
the extent to which Federal supervision
ever our State elections may be invoked
If any extension shall n)w be permitted
Our opponents do not discuss very much
this issue, but seek to eVade and ignore
It. Notwithstanding the cautious utter
ances of Mr.. Harrison and the reticence
Of the generality Of the Republican
orators, the Republican party cannot
escape in this campaign the RESPONSE
bility Of this measure and the conse-
quences which its advocacy necessarily
entails.
THE SOLID SOUTH.
This issue alone necessarily makes the
South solid for the Democratic party.
They are naturally opposed TO such a
law. Its enactment would be blow
aimed directly at them at their hearths, at
their homes, al their cherished rights, at
their cherished principles, at their peace
and security. The South will not only be
solid against the Force bill, it will be
solid against unreasonable tariff burdens
against Federal encroachments Of every
character against an unnecessary re-
strcted currency for the benefit Of the
rich; solid against monopoly, plutocracy
and Republicanism. 1t will be solid in
favor Of good government, free and hon
est elections, home rule, tariff REFORM
honest money wider markets, freer COM
merce, personal liberty and Democratic
government. / believe that large ma
iority of the electors of this country are
in favor of the principles Of the Demo-
cratic party. If the contest is to be de-
cided in New York, as 1T now seems
likely. let II be an overwhelming triumph
The Empire State expects every Democrat
IN do his duty.