Middletown transcript., 1892-01-28

harmony, and reasonable effect allowed
to each-nor can any exercise of the
power to lay duty upon imports be
held to warrant the impairment of de-
struction or the right to export without
tax or duty.
No construction is justifable that
does not concede to each provision of
the constitution its natural and rea-
sonable force and effect. and permit
the spirit of liberty and justice to
vivify the entire instrument.
Of what avail was the inhibition of
the impairment of the obligation of
a contract y if the right to enter into
contracts was itself to be denied or
crippled +?
To remove the distressing symptoms
of disease, the remedy must be applied
to the cause, and being convinced that
the present rates of taxation upon i'm
ports are in many cases practically
prohibitory; in many cases unjust and
unequal, discriminating heavily against
the poorer classes, levied more on con-
sumers than on wealth, and in the ma
jority of cases excessive and higher
than regard for public revenue would
dictate, earnestly commend to your
enlightened and patriotic judgment
the immediate need of tariff reforma-
tion.
If l am correct in the facts l have
stated and the reasons | have adduced,
our farmers and producers have long
been, and now are, deprived of the
valuable element of exchangeability of
their products to which, by the consti-
tuition, they are entitled under guaran-
teed freedom of export; and, being so
deprived of this element of value in
their property, they are compelled to
accept reduced prices at home, because
those prices are regulated and controll-
ed by the foreign rates.
For one, 1 cannot wonder at their
discomfort, and throughly do l sympa-
thize with their suffering; but deeply
as l regret the unwise and dangerous
remedies they propose for their relief,
it is also my sincere belief that with a
removal of the cause of the disease The
symptoms will disappear, and we will
cease to hear of radical assaults upon
our standard and measure of value
NO MORE OF FIAT MONEY
or loans by the government to individ-
ual borrowers on collateral security;
no more of schemes to swamp individ-
ual liberty in state socialism; no more
of attempts to conduct commercial
policies by the machinery of political
parties.
And, blessed be the thought, the
voice of the demogogue, shouting his
applause of every proof of popular ex-
citement and folly, and trimming his
selfish little sails to meet the puffs of
every passing popular breeze, will be
less heard in the councils of the nation.
Commerce is exchange-reciprocally
benefcent exchange-taking from each
what he best can spare, and giving to
each of the contracting parties that
which he can receive with the most
benefit.
With the natural currents of genu-
inc and generous international recip-
rocity once in motion, with cessation
of commercial warfare upon our Cana
dian neighbors and other friendly peo-
pie; the substitution of a system of
moderate duties on imports, adjusted |
to the needs of the treasury, and not
arranged at the dictations of selfish in
terests, nor for the embarrassment and
obstruction of our export trade and ex-
changes with foreign nations, we will
hear no more of the demand for free
silver coinage, and the healthful circu-
lation of a stable standard of value
will bring wealth and strength to our
financial system in every quarter of the
and in every branch of our
diversified industries.
Most earnestly do l deprecate the
Threats lately proclaimed from the
national capital of retaliation under
the misnomer of reciprocity : it is
nnt h1no bI1t ooD,n,aro;oi ,.orF,,o - "a.
least respectable or warrantable form;
nor can withhold my protest against
he threatened imposition by a decree
If the executive, and in his sole dis
'retlon, OF import duties upon articles
which have been for many years placed
oy law upon the free list, which are
important to the comfort of every
and to the remuneratiye
and trade in American
Industries.
Taxation is a mighty and sovereign
'oWer, vested under our system in the
legislative branch, whose discretion
annot be delegated 20 any other
ranch of the government, and, to use
ne language of a judicial court of the
United States, ''it is as incompetent ;
Or the legislature to confer the power
tax upon the judiciary as upon the
xecutive."
Remember, "solid men of Boston,
he ground wnereon this city stands.
nd the cause and origin of American a
ldependence-it was resistance 10 un- /
lwful and unwarranted taxation-a
'ivial tax on tea-a two penny stamp =
TX on legal demonstrating in h
mount, but oppressive in principle. T +
G1H1t n