Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-09-30

COmpeullOD invited ana Dullt up Dy the 5Ys-
tenn he is asked To support.
The struggle for unearned advantage at
the doors of the government tramples on
the rights of those who patiently rely upon
assurances of American equality. Every
governmental concession TO clamorous ia
Vorites invites 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 end must strange patriotism
and weaken popular confidence in the rec
titude of republican institutions.
Though the subject oftarff legislation in
wolves question ofmarkets 1t also involves
a question of morals. We cannot with i'm
punity permit injustice 10 faint the spirit OF
right and equity, which is the life of our re-
public, and we shall fail TO reach our ma
tional destiny If greed and selfshness lead
the way.
Recognizing these truths, the national
Democracy will seek by the application of
Just and sound principles 10 equalize to our
people the blessings due them from the gov.
eminent they support 10 promote among
our countrymen a closer community of in.
terests cemented by patriotism and national
pride, and to point out fair field where
prosperous and diversified American enter.
prise may grow and thrive in the wholesome
atmosphere Of American industry, ingenui-
ty 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 governmental
aid to private ventures, we wage no exter-
minating war against any American inter
ests. We believe a readjustment can be
II oil tI, ENrtn Il
Piles we profess without disaster or demoli-
ton. We believe that the advantages OF
freer raw material Should be accorded TO
our manufacturers, and we contemplate a
fair and careful distribution Of necessary
tariff burdens rather than the precipitation
of free trade
We anticipate with calmness the misrep
resentation Of our motives and purposes, in
stigated by a sefshness which seeks to hold
in unrelcnting grasp its unfair advantage
under present tariff laws We will rely
upon the intelligence Of our fellow. country.
men To reject the charge that party com
prising majority of our people is planning
the destruction or injury of American inter-
ests, and we know they cannot be brighten
ed by the spectre of impossible free trade.
The administration and management OF
our government depends 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 federal agencies developes 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 TO be regarded
by thoughtful men as proof of bold de-
termination TO secure the ascendency Of a
discredlted party in reckless disregard of a
free expression Of the popular will. To re-
sist such a scheme is an impulse of Democ'
racy. At all times and in all places we
trust the people. As against disposition
TO force the way to federal power we pre-
sent to them as our claim to their confidence
and support 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 cur
rency, national or State--whether gold, sill
yer or papcr-it should be so regulated and
guarded 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 into the hands of the PEG.
purchasing power. With this condition
absolutely guaranteed both gold and silver
can be safely utilized upon equal terms in
the adjustment of our currency.
In dealing with this subject no selfish
scheme should be allowed TO intervene and
no doubtful experiment should be attempt
ed. The wants OF our people, arising from
the deficiency or imperfect distribution of
money circulation, ought to be fully and
honestly recognized and efficiently reme-
died. 1t should, however, be constantly re-
membered that the inconvenience or loss
that might arise from such a 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
those whom they represent the best and
most efficient performance of public work.
This plainly can be best accomplished by
regarding ascertained fitness in the selec.
tion Of government employees. These con.
siderations alone are sufficient justification
for an honest adherence to the letter and
spirit OF civil service reform. There are,
however, other features of this plan which
abundantly commend it. Through its op
GRAFTON worthy merit IN every station and
condition of American life is recognized in
the distribution of public employment, while
It's application tends 10 raise the standard of
political activity from spoils hunting and
unthinking party utilization TO the advocacy
OF party principles by reason and argument.
The American people are generous and
grateful, and they have impressed these char.
acteristics upon their government. There.
fore all patriotic and just citizens must com
nanH hharal consideration fur Nh,
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 depend
en-. by reason OF army service But our pen.
sion roll should be a roll OF honor, uncon.
taminated by i'll desert and unvitiated by
demagogic use. This is due TO those whose
worthy names adorn the roll, and to all our
people who delight to honor the brave and
the true. IL is also due TO those who in
years to come should be allowed to hear
reverently and lovingly, the story Of Ameri.
can patriotism and tortitude illustrated by
our pension roll. The preferences accorded
TO veteran soldiers in public employment
should be secured TO them honestly and
without evasion, and when capable and
worthy their claim 10 the helpful regard aud
gratitude OF their countrymen should be un.
grudgingly acknowledged.
The assurances 10 the people Of the utmost
individual liberty consistent with peace and
good order is cardinal principal of our
government. This gives no sanction TO
vexatieus sumptuary laws which unneces.
sarily interfere with such habits and Gus.
toms OF our people as are not offensive To
just moral sense and are not inconsistent
with good citizenship and the public wei.
fare. The same principle requires that the
line between the subjects which are prop
erly within governmental control and those
which are more tittingly left 10 parental
regulation should be carefully kept in view.
An enforced education, wisely deemed a
proper preparation for citizenship, should
not involve the impairment OF wholesome
parental authority nor do violence to the
household conscience. Federalism in gov.
ernment finds no approval IN the creed of
Democracy. II Is symptom of misrule,
whether IL is manifested 10 unauthorized
gifts or by an unwarranted control of per
sonal and family affairs.
Our people, still cherishing the feeling of
human fellowship which belonged 10 our
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