The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1892-09-22

ances should be dismissed, personal
ambitions should be sacrificed and in
dividual disappointments should be
forgotten in this great emergency
which demands from us all the exhi-
bition Of widespread and lofty party
patriotism. Permit me to repeat what
I had the honor of expressing to Tam
many society on the 4th OF July last
before the echoes of our National con-
vention had scarcely died away as
follows;
"Our course at the present time is
plain. In the approaching struggle
the Democracy of New York should
present solid front the common en-
emy. loyalty to cardidal Democratic
principles and to the regularly nomi-
mated candidates is the supreme duty
of the hour"
re-iterate those statements now.
The Democratic position is safe, log
ical, conservative and just position.
To tariffs except "for the purposes of
revenue only" and then limited to the
necessities of the government honestly
and economically administered is the
doctrine which appeals to the good
sense and sound Judgement of every
honest and thoughtful man. With
the constantly increasing expenses of
the Government and the enormous
amount OF money annually argument
ing, required by the growing pension
list, these tariffs which must necessari.
ly be exacting to meet these expendi-
lures, will be, for many years to come
amply sufficient to afford, incidentally,
all the protection which the most ar.
dent advocate system can reasonably
ask.
More than this ought not to be con-
ceded to anybody. Presi lent Harri-
son, in his ingenious letter of accep-
tance, endeavors to place our party in
false attitude, by calling attention to
the fact that although our platform in
1884, readopted in 1888, contained an
express plank upon this question Of
equalization OF wages, yet it was omit
ted in 1892, and asserts that we have
changed our position.
We beg to differ with him. There
has been no change. 1t is not always
practicable to place in the platform
the details of proposed legislation.
The platforms of 1884, 1892 were elab-
crate and lengthy and it was desirable
to simplify them. General principles
were stated in 1892 rather than partic-
ulars as in 1884. There is no conflict
between them. There was no necessi-
ty for repetition of that plank, as the
party's position upon it had been ev-
idenced by the Mills bill which had
not been passed before the National
conventions of 1884 and 1888 were
held. The parties are to be judged as
much by their records as their plat
forms.
We stand not only on our platform
Of 1892, but upon the Mills bill, which
t was the latest general Democratic leg
t islation upon the tariff subject. The
. bill was as good an exposition OF oul
/. principles as any elaborate platform
: could possibly be. If | were asked tC
9 define as concisely as possible th'
2 whole Democratic policy, | shoul(
state it substantially as follows:
"We favor tariff for revenue only
n limited to the necessities of govern
ment, economically administered anC
j. so adjusted in its application as far al
s practicable, as to prevent unequal bur
a dens, encourage productive industries
J. at home, and afford just compensation
# to labor but not to create or foster mo
a nopolies."
J. These are the cardinal principle
}. upon which the details OF all tarii
e legislation should be based. | said il
e the campaign of 1888 in my openin
a speech at the Academy of Music il
}. New York City that if l believed tha
d the Democratic party favored absolut
/. free trade / should not advocate i
e and repeat the statement here tC
q night. l have read with care all tn
arguments urged by two very abl
rt apostles OF protection, Gov. McKinle
al and Senator Aldrich, but | fail to di
n cover that they present a single ten'
es able ground upon which protection
oe pure and simple, can be constitution
" ally defended.
at l insist that neither the Democrat
ty party nor have changed our positic
e. upon this question, but that we star
,s. where we have ever stood. Tariff r
form does not mean free trade. o.
ve oppOnents misreDresent our pOsiti(