The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-11-07
ECHOES FROM NEUrAKoNkANUr.
Jefferson and jackson on u Protective
Tariff.

The attempt OF that hybrid and conglo-
merate mass of men now shouting for
Cleveland aud reform, to pass as Demo
Gratis is like Satan eDdeavoring to pass as
an angel of light This may seem to be
hard aud harsh saving but il / do not
prove IL conclusivey. the reader may
write me down as n slanderer and pre-
varicator.
These fellows talk much about Jeffer-
son aud jackson, especially ia ose who
came from across the water, and assume
to be the exponents OF the principles
enunciated and enforced by these two
great lights in the galaxy OK American
Statesmen. At the same time they re-
mand us, natives TO the back seats. But
propose To unmask the hypocracy which
seeks 10 gain power by sheer lying, bare
faced deceptions and wilful distortion
OF facts.
Now for facts: and preliminary to their
presentation, let me call attention to the
tariff plank of the Chicago Convention,
upon which Grover Cleveland was placed
by that body as follows:
I'VE denounce Republican protection
AS fraud, a robbery OF the great majo
lty OF the American people for the benefit
OF the few. We declare il TO be a funda-
mental principle of the Democratic rarty
That the Federal Government has no
constitutional power u enforce aud col
lect tariff duties except for the purpose
or revenue only, and demand that the
collection OF such taxes shall be limited
To the necessities Of the government hoA-
estly and economically administered.
What was President Jackson's opinion
and position : let him answer for him
self, In the following paragraphs from
his second message TO Congress He said:
The power to impose duties on i'm
ports originally belonged TO the several
States. The right TO adjust those duties
with view TO the encouragement of do
nestle branches OF Industry is so com
pletely identical with that power that it
Is difficult TO suppose the existence OF one
without the other.
"The states have delegated their au-
thority over imp ports TO the general govern
ment without limil alton or restriction,
saving the very inconsiderable reserya-
tlon 10 their respective laws. This au-
thority having entirely passed from the
states, the right to exercise il for the pur-
poses OF protection does not exist in
them: and consequently, if it is not
possessed by the general government, it
must be eXtinct.
"Our political system would then pre-
sent the anomaly OF a people stripped OF
the right to foster their own industries.
and 20 counteract the most selfish and de-
structive policy which might he adopted
10 foreign nations. This surely cannot
he the case: this Indispensable power
within the scope of authority on the sub
Ject expressly delegated to Congress.
- In this conclusion / am confirmed, as
well by the opinion OF Presidents Wash
ington, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe,
who have recommended the exercise OF
this right under the Constitution, as by
the uniform practice of Congress, the
continued acquiescence of the states and
the general understanding of the people.n
These were the words of President
Jackson, deliberately settled under the
responsibility of his high position, aad
yet the Cleveland howlers protesting to
follow in the footsteps of Old Hickory.
exhibit an audacity without q PARALLEL.
Let us go farther back, to the First
Congress. whose members most certainly
must have had knowledge of the scope
and power of the constitution just gone
into operation. The first tariff act was
passed by this Congress, signed by Wash
ington and approved by Jefferson. This
was its tenor:
Whereas it is necessary for the sup
port OF the government, the discharge OF
the debts OF the United States, and for
the encouragement and protection of
manufactures, that duties be laid on
goods. wares aud merchandise imported
Therefore, etc." enacting a detailed
tariff, having three objects-revenue,
payment of the United States debts aud
protection of industry"
cago platform which declares sit TO be "A
fundamental principle of the Democratic
party that the federal government has no
power TO impose and collect tariff duties
except for the purpose of revenue only?"
Note, this first tariff act was signed bv
Washington. approved by Jefferson and
others, who assisted in framing the con-
sttuton.
To show more plainly the hollow pro-
fessions of the free trade howlers. let us
recur TO some or the utterances of
Thomas Jefferson. In his second annual
message To Congress he said:
TO cultivate peace, TO protect the
manufactures adapted to our circumstan-
ces, these, fellow citizens, are the hand
marks by which we are TO guide ourselves
in all our proceedings"
Other and copious quotations in the
same line, might be made from Jefferson
and jackson, also from others who were
the great lights among our early states
men. In view OF these facts, where is the
tariff plank OF the Chicago platform, and
how much of honesty did its authors
possess when they so authoritatively as
sumed to set forth Democratic principles.
endeavoring to bolster themselves up by
the declaration they were travelling in
the footsteps OF jefferson aud Jackson.
IL is worse than sacrilege to thus blacken
the memory Of these, and other eminent
men. PETER PoRCUPINE.
The man who can vote next Tues |