The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-04
IT is STILL THE ISSUE.
Ex-President Cleyeland's Words or
Advice to the Rhode Island
Dem ocrats.
Tho Campaign Of 1902 Must Be
Fought Strictly on
Principle.
Tariff Reform tho shibboIeth OF True
Democracy and Test OF Loyalty to
tho Peoples Cause.

PROVIDENCE, April 3.-The reception given
sx-Pfesident Cleveland at last nights
democratic meeting was in the nature OF
An ovation. The ex-prsaidsnt spoke at
aone length. He said he had come to look
in tho faces Of mon who had been given a
place OF honor in advance OF the vast army
which was moving toward the iuoisiyo bnt-
tie field of next Novem ber. Large and
bright upon your banner" said he. "aro
blazoned the words tariff reform the shib-
boleth OF true democracy and the test OF
loyalty to the peoples cause. Tho fight for
Justice and right is clean and comforting
one and because the American people loyo
justice and right ours must bo the winning
fight. We not only stand upon sure and
safe ground when we appeal to honesty and
morality in our cham pionship OF tho inter
cat Of the masses ns related to tariff taxa
tion, but our mission il invested with the
highest patriotism when we attempt to pre-
serve from perversion. distortion and decay
the Justice quality and moral integrity
which are constituent elements OF our scheme
OF popular government. Our sincerity can
not be doubted. In beginning the struggle
we were not only bitterly opposed by a
great party Of avowed enenisH, but embar-
rAsBsd by these in our own ranks who had
become infested with the unwholssome at
mosphsre our enemies had created. We
hesitatsd not moment boldly to enooun tor
both. We unified our party, not by any
surrender, but by honest appeal to demo-
cratic sentiment and conscience. We have
never lowersd our standard. The demo-
cratic party still champions the cause
which defeat could not induce it to surren-
der, which no success short Of complete ac-
complishmeps can tempt it to neglect. We
invite the strictest scrutiny Of our conduct
in dealing with its subjects, and We insist
that our cause has bssn opon, fair and con-
sistent." Nj. Cleveland went on to speak
of the efforts Of this opponents OF his policy
in the campaign Of 1883 and the means by
which they succeeded. Coming down
to the Mckinley bill, he said: ''The
consumer has found life harder
since the reform than before, and if there
i = workinRmsn anywhere, who had his
wages Increased by virtue of its operation
he has not yet made himself known
Plenty Of Nails and factories have been
cleaod. tAousAndE ct mon have lost era-s
ploynent, and We daily hear Of reduced
wages: but the benefits promised from the
'reform' arc not spparont. Reciprocity.
sAc sA.oty u viz a1chiuAey Dill, lansly
liaps in the direction Of freer commercial
exchange. II hypoeracy il the homage
vice pays to virtue reciprocity may be
called the homage prohibitory protsotion
pays to genuine tariff rsform.'' The de-
mand in the Rhode Island platform for
free raw material ought, it seemed to him,
to be warmly seconded. ''If tho demo-
cratic party" said he, "does not give to the
state Of Rhode Island during the present
session of congress the free raw materials
she needs, ii will be because tho republican
senate or executive thwarts its design, At
any rate nothing shall divert us from our
purpose to reform the tariff in this regard
Rs we'll as many others, be the time of its
nplishment near or remote.''