Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-07-23
SHAM JEFFERsoNIssl
Declaration Of the Democratic Platform
and Jefferson's Politics do not Agree

That grotesque patchwork of empty
platitudes aud misleading assertions
the democratic platform begins with
the declaration that the representatives
OF the democrats party OF the United
States do reafirm their allegiance 10
the priDcsples Of the party as formulat-
ed by jefferson and exem plihed by the
long and illustrious line Of his successors
10 democratic leadership from Madison
% Cleveland Later on the platform
declIres, in the language u the confed-
crate constitution, as "a fundamental
principle Of the democratic party that
the federal government has no con IL
tutional power to impose and collect
tariff duties except for the purpose Of
revenue only
II Jefferson and Madison and Jackson
could rise from their graves they would
repudiate modern democracy Madison
reported the first tariff bill ever passed
at the first session Of cor gress. One oil
the objects Of the bill as set forth 10 It's
preamble, Fas "the encourage cement OF
manufactures Both be aud jefferson
were life long protectiOuists. The plat
form upon which Jefferson was elected
m 1900 set forth as a doctrine OF the
party the euCouragsmea OF science and
art In all their branches 10 the end that
the American party may perfect their
independence Cf all foreign molopolies.
institutions and influences " There vas
nothing Of the tariff for revenue In that.
There never was any doubt IN Jefsr-
sons mind either Of the consltutionalty
OF Of the wisdom Of protection. In his
message OF Decem Der > 1906, this pass
. age occurs. shall we suppress the i'm
post and give that advantage 10 foreign
over domestic manufacturers Patriot
ism would certainly prefer its continu-
anCs and appliCat0 To tta great pur-
poses Of the public education, roads.
rivers, canals and such other objects OF
public imprc vemenls may be thought
proper TO add to constitutional enUmera.
lion offtdaraI powers
In his message Of N0vem Der 8. lS08,
jefferson said "the establishments form
ed aud forming viii, under the auspices
Of cheaper materials ard subsistence,
the freedom Of LABOR from taxation With
US and Of protecting duties and prom.
bition, become permanent.
Jaek-gu's message OF Decembe !,
1890. asserted: The power to impose
duty on imports originally belonged TO
the several states The right 10 adjust
duties with a view to the euc0ur cement
OF domestic bragches Of industry is So
completely identical with that power
thar IL Is Difficult. TO suppose the ex-
isteucs Of one with the other The right
% exercise il for the purpose Of protec.
ton does not exist In them. This indls-
pensab.e power must be within the
authority Of congress In this opinion
am confirmed as well by the opinions %
Presidents Washington, jefferson, MadI
son and Monroe. who have each repeat
edly recommended the exercise of this
right under the Institution, as by the
Uniform practice OF congress, the cOu-|
tinued acqu Jescence Of the states, and
the general understanding Of the psO-
Ule,7 Old Hickory evidently beiefed il
a protective tariff
These expressions Of a belief in pro-
tectiye tariff oy the fathers Of the democ-
racy leave no doubt as to where they
stood Modern democracy has wander
ed from the faith Of the fathers.