The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-21

suddenly abated. He was listened 10 there
after with much attention aud plandits only
came when his utterances pleased his hear
ers. He said:
Mr.. CLEvELAND's RESPONSE.
Mr.. Cleveland responded as follows
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen The mes
sage you deliver from the national De
mocracy arouses within me emotions which
would be well nigh overwhelming II ! did
not recognize here assembled the represen-
tatives of great party who must share with
one the responsibility your mission invites.
/ find much relief Ia the reflection that
have boon selected merely 10 stand for the
principles and purposes 10 which my
party is pledged and for the enforcement
and supremacy Of Which all who have any
right TO claim Democratic fellowship must
constantly and persistently labor: Our
party responsibility Is indeed great. We as.
sumo q momentOus obligation to our
countrymen when, in return for their trust
and confidence, we promise them a rectihca-
tion of their wrongs and better realization
Of the advantages which are due 70 them
under our free and beneficent institutions
But if our responsibility is great our
party Is strong. IL IS strongin lts sympathy
with the needs of the people, in its inslstance
upon the exercise Of governmental powers
strictly within the constitutional permission
ness to risk It's life and hope upon the
peoples intelligence and patriotism. Never
has great party intent upon the promotion
Of right and Justice had better incentive for
effort than is now presented to us.
PLAIN PEOPLES BURDENS.
Turning our eyes to the plain people of
the land we see them burdened IS consum-
ers with tariff system that uHjustly and
relentlessly demands from them in the pur-
chase OF the necessaries of life an amount
scarcely met by the wages of hard and
steady toll. while the exactions thus
wrong from them build up and increase
the fortunes of those for whose benefit this
injustice Is perpetrated.
I'VE ses the farmer listen 20 C. delusive
story that fills his mind with visions OF ad-
vantage while his pocket ID robbed by the
stealthy baud Of high protection.
Our workingmen are still told the tale,
oft repeated. in spite of its demonstrated
falsity. that the existing protective tariff 10
boon 10 them, and that under its benehcent
operations their wages must increase, while
as they listen. scenes are enacted in the very
abiding place of high protection that mock
the hopes OF toll and attest the tender mercy
the workingman receives from those made
selfish and sordId by unjust governmental
fayoritism.
OUR NRFARIOUS TARIFF LAWS.
I'VE oppose earnestly and stubbornly the
theory upon which our opponents seek 70
Justify and uphold existing tariff laws. We
need not base our attack upon questions OF
constitutional permission or Legislative
power We denounee this theory upon the
highest possible grounds when we contend
that in present conditions It's operation Is
unjust, and that laws enacted 10 accordance
with it are inequitable and unfair.
Ours Is not destructive party. We are
not at enmity with the rights Of any Of our
citizens. All are our cOuntTymen. We are not
recklessy needless of any American inter
ests, nor will we abandon our regard for
them, but invoking the love Of fairness and
justice which belongs 20 true Americanism
and upon which our Constitution rests,
we insist that no plan of tariff legislation
shall be tolerated which has for its object
and purpose forced contribution from the
earnings aud in cone of the mass OF our Cit.
zens 10 swell directly the accumulations OF
a favored few: nor will we permit pre-
tended solicitude for American labor or any
other preteXt of benevolent care for Others
to blind the eyes of the people TO the selfish
laws, TO gain unearned and unreasonable
advantages at the expense of their fellows.
THE FORCE BILL.
We have also assumed in our covenant
with those whose support we invite the
duty Of opposing TO the death another
ayOwed scheme of our adyersaries. which
under the guise of protecting the suffrage,
covers but does not conceal q design there
by 10 perpetuate the power Of party
afraid TO trust its continuance to the
untrammeed and intelligent votes of
the American people. We are pledged 20
resist the legislation intended TO complete
this scheme, because we have not forgotten
the saturnalia and theft and brutal control
which followed another Federal regulation
of State suffrage: because we know that
the managers OF a party which did not scru-
ple to rob the people of a President would
not hesitate to use the machinery created
by such legislation 10 revive corrupt
instrumentalities for partisan purposes;
because an attempt to force such
legislation would Tekindle animosities
where peace and hopefulness now prevails;
because such an attempt would replace
prosperous activity with encouragement
and dread throughout large section OF our
country, and would menace everywhere IN
the land the rights reserved to the States
and 10 the people. which underlie the safe
guards OF American liberty.
An APPKAL FOR HAEMoNY.
81 shall not attempt TO specify at this
time other objects and aims OF Democratic
endeavor which add inspiration TO our mis-
SION. True TO its history and its creed, our
party will respond TO the wants OF the peo-
pie within safe lines and guided by en-
ightened statesmanship To the troubled
and impatient within our membership we
commend continued, answering ale
glance TO the party whose princi-
pies. in all time past. have been found
sufficient for them, and whose aggregate
wisdom and patriotism their experience
teaches can always be trusted. In tone OF
partisanship which BELTS the occasion, let
me say 10 you as equal partners in the cam
paign upon which we to-day enter that the
personal fortunes Of those TO whom you
have intrusted our banners are only i'm
portant rs they are related TO the fate Of the
principles they represent and TO the party
which they lead.
A PATRIOTIC ADMoSITIoS.
II cannot, therefore, forbear reminding
you and all those attached TO the Demo
cratic party or supporting the principles
which we profess that defeat in the pending
campaign. followed by the contamination
of the legislative schemes our opponents
coatemplate, and accompanied by such
other incidents of then success as might
more firmly fix their power, would present
a most discoufAging outlook for future
Democratic supremacy and for the accom-
plishment of the objects we hsye at heart.
Moreover. every sincere Democrat must
believe that the interests OF his country are
deeply involved in the victory Of our party
in the struggle that awaits us. Thus patri-
otic solieitude exats the hope of partisan
ship and should intensity our determine
tlon to win success.
BIZ HONEST WITH TIE PEOPLE.
This success can only be achieved by
svstematic and intelligent e1or. on the part
Of all enlisted 10 our cause. Let us tell the
neople plainly and honestly what we believe