The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-09-30

ernmental concession to clamorous favorites
invites corruption in political affairs by en-.
couraging the expenditure of money to de-.
bauch suffrage in support OF policy directly
favorable TO private and selfish gain. This
in the end must stranple pa.
triotism and weaken popular con fidence in
the rectitude of Republican institutions.
Though the subject of tariff legislation in.
wolves question of markets, it also involves
a question of morals, We cannot with i'm.
punity permit injustice to faint the spirit of
right and equity which is the life of our re.
public and we shall fail to reach our nation.
al destiny II greed and selhshncss lead the
way.
TARIFF REFORM THE wArcHwoRD.
Recognizing these truths, the national De.
mocracy will seek, by the application Of just
and sound principles, to equalize to our peo-
| pie the blessings due them from the govern.
ment they support, to promote among our
countrymen closer community of interests
cementcd by patriotism and national pride
and to point out a fair field, where prosper.
Gus and diversified American enterprise may
grow and thrive in the wholesome atmos.
phere OF American industry, ingenuity and
intelligence.
Tariff reform is still our purpose Though
we oppose the theory that tariff laws may be
passed having for their object the granting of
discriminating and unfair government aid to
private ventures, we wage no exterminatng
war against any American interests. We be.
| lieve readjustment can be accomplished in
accordance with the principles We profess,
without disaster or demolition. We believe
| that the advantages OF freer raw materials
should be accorded 10 our manufacturers,
and we contcm late a fair and careful dis
tribution of necessary tariff burdens, rather
than the precipitation of free trade.
We anticipate with calmness the misrepre.
sentation OF our motives and purposes, insti.
gated by selhshness which seeks to hold in
unrelenting grasp its unfair advantage under
present tariff laws. We will rely upon the
intelligence Of our fellow.countrymen to re.
ject the charge that party, comprising
majority Of our people, is planning the de-
struction or injury of American interests, and
we know they cannot be frightened by the
spectre of impossible free trade.
FOR AND WITH THE PEOPLE.
The administration and management OF
our government depend upon popular will.
Federal power is the instrument of that will,
not its master. Therefore, the attempt of
the opponents OF Democracy to Interfere
with and control the suffrage Of the States
through general agencies develops design,
which no explanation can mitigate, to re.
verse the fundamental and safe relations be.
tween the people and their government.
Such an attempt cannot fail 10 lie regarded
by thoughtful men as proof of bold deter.
mination to secure the ascendancy of dis
credited party in reckless disregard of free
expression OF the popular will. To resist
such scheme is an impulse Of Democracy.
AT all times and in all places we trust the
people. AS against disposition to force the
way to Federal power we present to them as
our claim 10 their confidence and support
a steady championship Of their rights.
The people are entitled to sound and hon.
est money, abundantly sufficient in volume
to supply their business needs. But what
ever may be the form of the peoples curren.
cy, national or State, whether gold, silver or
paper, it should be so regulated and guarded
by governmental action, or by wise and care.
ful laws, that no one can be deluded as to the
certainty and stability of its value. Every
dollar put into the hands of the people should
be of the same intrinsic value or purchasing
power. With this condition absolutely guar.
anteed both gold and silver can be safely
utilized upon equal terms in the adjustment
OF our currency.
NO DOUBTFUL ExPEDIRNTs.
In dealing with this subject no selfish
scheme should be allo we'd to intervene and
no doubtful experiment should be attempted
ne wants OF our people, arising from the de.
hclency or imperfect distribution of money
circulation, ought to be fully and honestly
recognized and efficiently remedied. 1t
should, however, be constantly remembered
that the inconvenience or loss that might
arise from such situation can be much easier
borne than the universal distress which must
follow discredited currency.
Public officials are the agents of the peo.
pie. 1t is, therefore their duty to secure for
these whom they represent the best and most
efficient performance Of public work. This
plainly can be best accomplished by regard
ing asceriained fitness in the selection of
government employees. These considerations
alone are sufficient justification for an honest
adherence to the letter and spirit of civil Ser
vice reform. There are, however, other fea.
lures OF this plan which abundantly com.
mend it. Through its operation worthy
merit IN every station and condition of
American life is recognized in the dis;ribu.
tion OF public employment, while its appica
tion tends to raise the standard of political
~''''J 'ioh SPois hunting anu uHtnlnklllg
party atfiliation to the advocacy Of party
principles by reason and argument.
The American people are generous and
grateful, and they have impressed these
characteristics upon their government.
Therefore, all patriotic and just citizens must
commend liberal consideration for our
worthy veteran soldiers and for the families
OF those who have died. No complaint
should be made of the amount Of public
money paid to those actually disabled or
made dependent by reason OF army service.
SHOULD DE A ROLL OF HONOR.
But our pension roll should be roll of
honor, uncontaminated by ill-desert and un-
vitiated by demagogic use. This lis due to
those whose worthy names adorn the roll,
and to all our people who delight to honor
the brave and the true. 1t is also due 10 those
who IN years to come should be allowed to
hear, reverenty and lovingly, the story of
American patriotism and forttude, illus.
trated by our pension roll. The preferences
accorded TO veteran soldiers in public en-
poyment should be secured to them honestly
and without evasion, and when capable and
worthy their claim to the helpful regard and