The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1892-10-06

LETTER
ACCEPTANCE OF THE DEMO.
CRATIC NOMINATION FOR
PRESIDENT.
THE TARIFF 4 TAX.

/
| "GENTLEMEN In responding to
IyOur formal notification of nv NOM
nation to the presidency by the
national Democracy, [ hope may
| be permitted to say at the outset
that continued reflection and ob.
Seryation have confirmed me in nv
adherence to the opinions which |
have heretofore plainly and public
~ declared touching the questions
involved in the Canvass. This is a
time above all others when these
questions should be considered IN
the light afforded by a sober ap-
prehenslon of the principles upon
which our government is based, and
a clear understanding of the rela.
ton it bears to the people for whose
benefit it was created.
ave shall thus be supplied with
a test by which the value of any
proposition relating TO the main
tenance and administration Of our
government can be ascertained,
and by which the justice and hon
esty of every political question can
be judged If doctrines or theories
are presented which do not satisfy
this test, loyal Americanism must
pronounce them false and mischiev-
GUS. The protection of the people
IN the exclusive use and enjoyment
OF their property and earnings con-
cededly constitutes the especial
purpose and mission of our free
government. This design is so IN.
terwOven with the structure of our
plan of rule that failure to protect
the citizens in such use and ENJOY
ment or their unjustifiable dimInu-
tion by the government itself is a
betrayal of the peoples trust.
ave have, however, undertaken
to build great nation upon a plan
1especially our Own. To maintain it
and to furnish through its agency
the means for the accomplishment
OF national objects the American
people are willing, through Federal
taxation, to surrender a part OF
their earnings and income.
Tariff legislation presents a
| familiar form of Federal taxation.
Such legislation 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 paipabiy to be persuaded
by an sophistry that they do not
exist or are paid by foreigners.
"Such taxes, representing a
dlmlnution Of the property rights
of the people, are only justifiable
W hen laid and collected for the pur-
pose of maintaining our government
and furnishing the means for the
accomplishment Of it's legitimate
purposes and functions. This is
taxation under the operation of a
tariff for revenue only. 1t accords
with the professions OF American
free institutions, and its justice and
honesty answer the test supplied
by a correct appreciation OF the
principles upon which these instItu
tions rest.
sThls theory OF tariff legislation
manitestly enjoins strict economy
in public expenditures and their
limitation to leg innate public uses,
inasmuch as 1t ;rohlbts as obsolute
extortlon any exactlon by way OF
| taxation from the substance of the
people beyond the necessities Of a
careful and proper administration
of the government.
"OppOSed to this theory the
dogma IS now boldly presented that
tariff taxation is justifable for the
express purpose and intent of there
by promoting special interests and
enterprises. Such a proposition is
so clearly contrary to the spirit OF
our Constitution and so directly
encourages the disturbance by sci
fishness and greed Of patriotic sen
timent that its statement would
rudely shock our people if they had
not already been lnsidiously allured
from the safe landmarks Of princl
pie. Never have honest desire tol
national growth, patriotic devotion
to country, and sincere regard fol
those who toll been so betray
ed to the support of a perniciouI
doctrine. In its behalf the plea
that our infant Industries should bt
tostered did service until discredft
ed by our stalwart growth. Ther
followed the exigencles of terrible
| uor uhich ma6a oup paoDla hood