Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-10-03
HILLS FIRST GUN.
His Speech in Brooklyn
On Campaign Issues.
HARMONY THE FIRST DUTY.
Conservatism of the Democra. ic Posi-
tion The Force Bill Menace.

am reminded OF the fact that il was
in this edifice upon a memorable oc-
casion in 1898 that had the honor of
expressing to the intrepid Democracy of
Kings county the sentiment. II am
Democrat, and under the existing po-
litical situation know of no more APP
propriate place or presence than here to
declare that | was Democrat before
the Chicago convention and | am
Democrat still.
The national Democratic convention
was the court Of last resort established
by party usage as the final arbiter to de-
terinne the conflicting interests and
claims Of candidates, states and 5, ions,
and its decision will be accepted with
loyal acquiescence by every true and
patriotic Democrat who recognizes the
necessity of party organization and dis
cipline, and respects tho obligations
which he assumes in its membership.
From this time forward imperative
duties are imposed upon us. Factional
appeals should now cease, the spirit Of
resentment should be abandoned, state
pride should be subordinated to the gen
eral good, real or tancied grievances
should be dismissed, personal ambitions
should be sacrificed, and individual dis
appointments should be forgotten in this
great emesgency, which demands from
us all the exhibition Of widespread
and lofty party patriotism.
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
Concisely stated, what is the position
of the two parties upon this question? ]
desire to state it fairly. The Republican
party advocates the doctrine that the
government has constitutional as well
IA moral right TO impose tariff duties
for the purpose OF encouraging the build
ing up OF private industries by the i'm
position of duties sufficiently large 10
prevent foreign competition, irrespec-
tive of the question of the needs of the
treasury, while the Democratic party
believes that the government has only
constitutional and moral right to i'm
pose such duties as may be necessary to
raise sufficient revenue TO support the
government economically administered
Ii is an elementary principle that pri-
vate property can only be taken for pub
lie use, The right of eminent domain
cannot be exercised in aid of private en-
terprises. This IL the correct theory of
government, aud it excludes the idea
that one citizen may lie burdened TO fos-
ter another citizens private schemes.
PROTECTIVE TARIFF UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
The Democratic national platform
gives forth no uncertain sound upon
this subject, and correctly states the
true position Of the party. II denies the
constitutional power of the government
to imposes taxes for other than public
purposes.
II must bc conceded by every intelli-
gent citizen that the constitution doe.
not grant any such express power.
There Is no mention Of any such subject
anywhere in il. All the so called pro
lection for which our opponents have
clamored am which they have obtained
in recent years has been secured. not by
constitutional sanction, but by the abuse
Of the conceded taxing power of the gov
ernment. Incidental irotection, on the
other hand, is uuobjectionable. Tariffs
should be imposed for the express pur-
pose OF revenue and not for any private
purpose. We believe in revenue with
incidental protection, and not in pro-
lection with dental revenue. What
ever the inc 1t effect Of such tariffs
may be. then efciaries are welcome
to It, and no else is wronged.
The Dem attic position is a safe,
logical, cons vative and just position.
No tariffs except for the purposes of
revenue only" and then limited To the
necessities of the government, honestly
and economically administered. is doc
trine which appeals to the good sense
and sound judgment Of every honest and
thoughtful man.
THE MILLS BILL AND WAGES.
make the statement. and challenge
n contradiction Of its truth, that there
was not a single manufactured article
mentioned III the Mills bill upon which
the duty was reduced upon which there
was not still left a duty sufficient to rep
resent the difference in wages paid In this
and foreign countries for the labor in
volved In Its production. | can safely
go further, End say that in many in.
stances the duty permitted 10 remain ex-
ceeded this difference in wages three,
four and five times.
Therefore our position upon this ques-
ton is as clear as the MONDAY sun, and
it required no special plank in the plat
form to emphasize it. We believe in
the announcement of labor and are de-
sirous of protecting its interests in every
reasonable way consistent Wi h the
rights of the whole people.
THE DEMOCRATIC POLICY.
II | were asked to define as concisely
as possible the whole Democratic policy
should state it substantially as follows:
"We favor a tariff for revenue only,
limited to the necessities of the govern
ment, economically administered, and so
adjusted in its application, as far as
practicable, os to prevent unequal bur-
dens, encourage productive industries at
home and afford just compensation TO
labor, but not to create or foster monop-
olies."
PROTECTION Is FRAUD.
Our opponents profess TO be much dis
turbed because we have in our platform
denounced Republican protection" as n
fraud. What else is It? 1t is fraud
for these conclusive reasons: /. IL is
secured by palpable abuse Of the tax
ing power of the government. 2. 1t in
ures to the benefit Of the few at the ex-
pense Of the many. 3. IL is based upon