The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-10-06


ask for relief and for restora ton t
the enjoyment of their incomes ane
earnings, they are met by the claim
that tariff taxation tor the sake of pro
lection is an American system, ths
continuance of which is necessary il
!, order that high wages may be pait
to our workingmen and a hom
market provided for our farm pro
ducts.
BE NOT DECEIVED.
These pretenses should no longe
deceive. The truth is that such a sys
TEN is directly antagonized by every
sentiment of justice and fairness o
which Americans are -eminentl,
iproud. 1t is also true that while oul
workingmen and farmers can, the
least of all of our people, defend them
selves against the harder home life
which such tariff taxation decroes
the workingman suffering from the
Importation and employment of pau
per labor instigated by his professed
friends and seeking security for his
interests in organized cooperation,
still waits for a division of the advan-
tages secured to his employer under
the cover of generous solcitude for
| his wages, while the farmer is learn.
ing that the prices Of his products are
fixed in foreign markets, where he
suffers from competition invited and
built up by the system he is asked to
support.
| The struggle for unearned advantage
at the doors of the Government tram
pies on the rights of those who patti
emily rely upon assurances of Ameri-
can equality. Every Governmental
concession to clamorous favorites in
vites corruption in political affairs by
encouraging the expenditure of money
to debauch suffrage in support of a
policy directly favorable to private and
selfish gain. This in the popular con-
fidence in the rectitude of Republican
| institutions.
TARIFF RFFORM STILL OUR PLATFORM.
Though the subject OF tariff legisla
ton involves a question Of markets, it
also involves question of morals. We
cannot, with impunlty, permit injustice
to faint the spirit of right ard equity,
which is the life of our republic, and
we shall fail to reach our national des-
tiny if greed and selfishness lead the
way.
Recognizing these truths, the nation
al Democracy will seek by the pub
lication of just and sound principles to
equalize to our people the blessings
due them from the Government they
support, to promote among our country
men closer community Of interests
cementel by patriotism and national
pride, and to point out a fair field,
where prosperous and diversified Ameri
can enterprise may grow and thrive
in the wholesome atmosphere of Amer
ican industry, ingenuity and lntelli-
gence. Tariff reform is still our pur
pose. Though we oppose the theory
that tariff laws may be passed having
for their object the granting OF discrim
mating and unfair Government aid
| to private ventures, we wage no exter-
minating war against any American
interests.
TO DISTRIBUTE TARIFF BURDENS.
We believe a readjustment can be
accomplished in accordance with the
principles we profess without disaster
or demolition. We believe that the
advantages of free raw material should
be accorded our manufacturers, and we
contemplate fair and careful distrlb-
ution Unnecessary tariff burdens, rather
than the precipitation of free trade.
We anticipate with calmness the mis-
representation of our motives and pur-
poses, instigated by selfishness which
seeks to hold in unrelenting grasp its
unfair advantage under present tariff
laws. We will rely upon the intelll-
gence of our fellow -countrymen to re-
ject the charge that party comprls-
ing majority of our people is plan
ming the destruction or injury of Anerl-
can interests; and we know they can
not be frightened by the spectre of
impossible free trade.
THE FORCE BILL.
The administration and management
of our Government depend upon pop
ular will. Federal power is the instru-
ment of that will-not its master.
Therefore the attempt Of the opponents
of democracy to interfere with and con-
troll the suffrage ofthe States through
Federal agencies develops design
which no explanation can mitigate,
to reverse the fundamental and safe
relations between the people and their
Government. Such an attempt can
not fail to be regarded by thoughtful
men as proof of bold determination
to secure the ascendancy of discarded
party expression of the popular will.
To resist such a 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 to their confidence and
support steady championship of their
rights.
THE MONEY QUESTION.
The people are entitled to sound
and honest money, abundantly suffi
cient in volume to supply their busi-
ness needs. But whatever may be the
form of the peoples currency, national
or State-whether gold, silver or paper
1T should be SO regulated and guar
ded by governmental action, or by
wise and careful laws, that no one
can be deluded as to the certainty and
stability of its value. Every dollar put