The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-10-07

ed in foreign markets, where he suffers
from a competition invited and built
| up by the system he is asked to sup
port.
A QUESTION OF MORALS.
The struggle for the unearned
advantage at the doors of the govern
ment tramples ON the rights of those
who patiently rely upon assurances of
| American equality. Every govern
mental concession to clamorous favor
| ties invites corruption in political
affairs by encouraging the expenditure
of money to debauch suffrage in sup
| port of policy directly favorable to
private and selfish gain This in the
end must strangle patriotism and
| weaken popular confidence in the reci-
tude of Republican institutions.
Though the subject of tariff legisla-
tion involves question of markets, it
| also involves a question of morals.
We cannot with impunity permit in
justice to faint the spirit of right and
| equity, which is the life of our repub-
lie, and we shall fail to reach our ma
tional destiny if greed and selfishness
lead the way.
| TAXATION MUST BE EQUALIZED.
Recognizing these truths, the ma
plication of just and sound principles
to equaliZe to our people the blessings
due them from the government they
support to promote among our coun-
try1nen a closer community of inter
ests cemented by patriotism and ma
tional pride, and to point out a fair
| field where and diversified American
enterprise may grow and thrive in the
wholesome atmosphere of Amesican
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 discrimi-
mating and unfair governmental aid
to private ventures, we wage no ex-
terminating war against any Ameri-
can interests. We believe a readiust-
ment can be accomplished in accord
ance with the principles we profess
without disaster or demolition We
believe that the advantages of free
raw material should be accorded to
our manufacturer, and we contem-
plate Il fair and careful distribution
of necessary tariff burdens rather than
the precipitation of free trade.
We anticipate with calmness the
misrepresentation Of our motives and
purposes, instigated BY a selfishness
which seeks to hold in unrelenting
grasp its unfair advantage under
present tariff laws. We will rely upon
the intelligence of our fellow country
men to reject the charge that a party
comprising a majority of our people
is planning the destruction or injury
of American interests, and we know
they cannot be frightened by the
spectre of impossible free trade.
THE FORCE BILL.
The administration and manage
lnent of our government depends upon
popular will. Federal power is the
instrument of that will-not its mas
ter, Therefore the attempt of the OPP
poIfents of Democracy to interfere
States through federal agencies de-
velops design, which no explanation
can mitigate, to reverse the funda-
mental and safe relations between the
people and their government. Such
an attempt cannot fail to be regarded
by thoughtful men as proof of a bold
determination to secure the ascend
ancy of a discredited party in reckless
disregard of a 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 Il disposition to
force the way to federal power we
present to them as our claim to their
confidence and support steady cham
pionship of their rights.
SOUND MONEY.
The people are entitled to sound
and honest money, abundantly suffi-
cient in volume to supply their bust
ness needs. But whatever may be
the form of the peoples currency, na-
tional or State-whether gold, silver
or paper-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 dol
lar put into the hands of the people
should be of the same intrinsic value
or purchasing power. With this con-
dition absolutely guaranteed both
gold and silver can be safely utilized
upon equal terms in the adjustment
of our currency.
In dealing with this subjuct no sell
fish scheme should be allowed to in
tervene and Ito doubtful experiment
should be attempted. The wants of
our people, arising from the deficiency
or imperfect distribution of money
circulation, ought to be fully and hon
estly recognized and efficiently RENE
died. 1t should, however, be. con-
stantly remembered that the incon-
venience or loss that might arise from
such a situation can be much easier
borne than the universal distress
which must follow discredited cur
rency.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Public officials are the agents of the
people 1t is therefore their duty to
secure for those whom they represent
the hest and most efficient perform
anee of public work. This plainly
can be best accomplished by regard
ing certain fitness in the selection
of government employees. These con-
siderations alone are sufficient justifi- !
cation for an honest adherence to the
letter AMI spirit of civil service re-
form. There are, however, other fea-
lures of this plan which abundantly
commend it. Through its operation |
worthy merit in every station and con-
dition of American life is recognized |
in the distribution of public employ |
ment, while its appreciation tends to
raise the standard of political activity |
from spoils hunting and unthinking !
party utilization to the advocacy of |
party principles by reason and argu-
ment.
LIBERAL PENSIONS.
The American people are generous |
and grateful, and they have impress
ed these characteristics upon their |
Therefore all patriotic
and just citizens must commend lib |
eral consideration for our worthy vet |
eran soldiers and for the families of !
those who have died. No complaint |
should be made of the amount of pub
lie money paid to those actually dis !
abled or made dependent by eason of !
army service. But our pension roll |
should be roll of honor, uncontami- !
mated by i'll desert and unvitiated by !
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. 1t is |
also due to those who in years to come |
should be allowed to hear, reverently |
and lovingly, the story of American |
patriotism and fortitude illustrated |
by our pension roll, The preferences |
accorded to veteran soldiers in public |
should be secured to |
them honestly and without evasion,
and when capable and worthy their |
claim to the helpful regard and graft
tude of their countrymen should be |
ungrudgingly acknowledged.
sUMPTUARY LAWS.
The assurances to the people of the |
UTMOST individual liberty consistent |
with peace and good order is cardi |
nal principal of our government. !
This gives no sanction to yeXatious |
laws which unnecessarily interfere
with such habits and customs of our !