Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1892-09-01

the farmer is especially interested in main
tanning this market for his product.
This policy is TO be ovcrthrown by the pol
icy proclaimed in the Democratic platform.
Let me read it:
1--WE declare il to be n fundamental prin-
ciple of the Democratic party that the Fed
eral government has no constitutional
power to impose and collect tariff duties,
except for the purpose of revenue only, and
we demand that the collection of such taxes
shall be limited to the necessities of the
gooernmeut when honestly and economic
ally administered
BORROWED FROM THE coNFEDERACr.
This is free trade pure and simple not on
economic grounds only, but on constitutional
grounds When did this become n funda-
mental principle of the Democratic partyl
have made careful examination of their
platforms and affirm that no such utter
ance was ever made before in any in Nation
al platform of the party. 1t is practically
drawn from the constitution of the Confed-
crate states of America which prohibited
duties for any other purpose than revenue.
The nearest approach TO this declaration is
found in the platform of 1876, which de-
clared: that all custom house taxation
shall be only for revenue"
But now for the first time, IN the history
of parties, Is this constitutional impeachment
thrown in the way of such adjustment of the
tariff as our interests might require, by the
Democratic par in its national platform.
During the first forty years of our history,
this impeachment was not thought of seri-
ously by the students of the constitution.
The second act of congress, under the con-
stitution, expressly declared in its first sec
ton:
THE FIRST TARIFF LAW.
"That whereas, IL is necessary for the
support of the government, for the discharge
of the debts of the United States, and the
encouragement and protection of manufac-
lures, that duties be laid on goods, wares
and merchandise imported"
This law was passed at the first congress
and on the 4th of July, 1889. Itlevied varied
rates Of duty on articles imported, from 80
per centum on their value down. In many
instances these rates were fixed confessedly
to encourage their production IN the United
States as shown by the debates.
This law greatly Disseminated In favor
of certain goods imported from China or
India, and also in favor of goods imported
In vessels built owned in the United
States, and provided discount of 10 per
cent upon all goods imported in vessels
built in the United States and owned by its
citizens. In connection with this law and
supplementary to it, for the establishment
and protection of n merchant marine, high
tonnage duties were levied upon foreign
vessels entering our ports, and prohibitory
duty on foreign vessels seeking to enter our
coastwise trade.
The debates on this measure, in the SEN
ate, are not reported, but it is clearly shown
by the debates in the house that the trainers
of the constitution and its early interpreters,
many of whom had been members of the
convention, never for moment doubted
the constitutional right to levy duties, and
make such arrangements by law as might be
necessary fully TO encourage manufactures
and commerce, and by such methods as
prudence and justice might require. James
Madison participated largely in these de-
bates and recognized and approved the ex-
ercise of this power.
FREE TRADE AND MULTIPLICATION.
This constitutional question, formally
raised In the publication resolutions of
South Carolina, in 1882 and suppressed by
the frmness and vigor Of Andrew Jackson,
was not revived in responsible utterances
of the party until it found its way, affrma-
lively, into the constitution of the confed-
crate states, and is now revived in the Dem
ocratic platform of this year, 'as funda-
mental principle of the Democratic party"
The country is not in love with the parent
age, with the growth, nor will 1t mourn over
the decay and death of this heresy now
adopted for the first time by great polit-
zeal party, even though it meets with a
cheerful and approving response from it's
candidates for president and vice presi-
dent. And why should these candidates
not approve it, II was forced into the plat
form by large majority of the convention
over the heads of it's committee on resolu-
tons, who submitted a milder dose of free
trade, sugar-coated with doubtful and
double phraseology TO be used as occasion
might require.
In this issue they have made their appeal
TO the people. VIII it be sustained The
execution of it requires a revolution of our
industries and labor.
LABOR IMPORTED IN BALES AND BOXES.
Can there be doubt that il the market of
65,0O0,0OO of people is thrown open to the
unimpeded competition of the world and
the relatively poorly paid labor of the world,
that wages must at once be levelled in this
country to that standard Our laborers
now complain, and justly complain, of the
large influx of undesirable labor from Eu-
rope. But that is q mere oagatelle COM
pared with the policy of the Democratic
party, which proposes that the labor of
Europe, without limitation OF restriction,
may be imported in bales and boxes. Why
labor unions here to regulate hours of
work or wages, when the proposed policy
imports the products of labor abroad in I'M
limited quantity by swiftcoming steamers :
Where will be our toilers in the factories, in
the rolling mills, in the machine shops, and
in the mines7 They must all seek other
employment or work at the reduced wages
paid abroad. They will not do the latter
without serious disturbance, and only then
Influenced by distress. Their only other
resort is to agriculture, thus becoming pro-
ducers instead of consumers of agricultural
products. Such a revolution in our system
would lead to widespread disaster and ruin.
1t cannot be that this policy will be sane
toned by the voters of the United States.
Whatever the laboring men and farmers
may have done as voters in the past, with
this purpose of the Democratic party openly
proclaimed, they cannot afford this year to
vote the Democratic ticket.
Our present tariff law may not be perfect
In all respects, but when revision or change
comes, as II must come periodically, IL
should be made by the friends Of American
nd ut bv
its openly proclaimed enemies. Last of all
can the farmers afford this change, disturb
ing and disorganizing If it does not destroy
the home market they now have for 90 pei
cent of all their products in the year OF
greatest abundance. l cannot think that
attempted IN case of Democratic success Is
TO say that the Democratic party is not sin
sere in its promises and purposes.
MONEY AND THE CURRENCY.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS UPON WHICH THE RE
PUBLIoAEs ARE RIGHT.
The money question is an important one
in every respect. II is as important as any
other question now under discussion. II
relates to all exchanges of products, to the
promotion of credits, to the payment Of
debts, and in it are measured the wages Of
labor and the price of all commodities. Its
consideration has added Importance, from
the fact that the genral government has not
only undertaken to coin money und regulate
Its value, but to provide directly or indi
rectly the currency that shall circulate as
representative money. This constitutional
power to regulate and provide Is clearly
given and not now disputed by the Demo
Gratis, although a denial of that power is
with them a favorite impeachment to doing
what they do not want to do. For many
years until now the exclusive exercise OF
L. has han "A l.. n. l..