The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1892-10-06

This design is SO interviewer wit. the strucs-
ure Of oar plan Of rule that e.iiure to protect
fhe citizen In sach use End enjoyment, or the!.
unjqsttfiahie dim;nution by the es-etnment
3ts"lt. is betrayal of the peersc'S trust.
We have, however. undertaken to build a
great nation upon .,lan especially our own
10 maintain # and to furnish, through its
agency. the means for the accomplishment CT
national objects the American people are
willing. through Federal taxation. to su,rer-
oeS ~ part OF their earnings and income
Fe leral taxation. Such legislation results as
surely IN 2. tax apon The daily life Of our peo-
of the tax-cstiserrr. We feel the '.....den of
these tsris taxes TOO palratiy to be per-
suaded br any sopIistry That they do not ex-
lst or are paid bv foreigners.
Such taxes, representing a diminutior -f "a
property rights OF the people, are er'. justifl-
able when laid and COLLECTED FRI he purpose Of
the means for tlie accomplishment of its legitf-
mate purposes and functions. This is taxa
ton under the operation of a tariff for revenue.
1t acrord- With the professions Of American free
institutions and It's justice and tenesty az
swer the test supplied By correct apprecia-
::cn OF the principles un"a which these instf-
This theory Of tariff legislation m.rifse.iy
fnJoins strict economy in public e*teuditures
and their limitation to legittHate public uses,
lra-Fiich as 1t exhibits ~ absolute extor+jn1s
any eXaction. bv way of taxation ft-,:i,. the
substance of the people beyond M. necessities
ernincnt.
Opposed TO ..;.i. thee the dogma is now
boldly pre-. cd that tariff taxation Is justi-
thereby promoting especial interest. ana en-
serp-lrea. Such q proposition is 20 clearly
ccltrary to the spirit of err Constitution. ard
so directly encourages the disturbance hv
seifstIiess ar5 g*eed of patriotic Sentiment.
that its statcnrnt would rude's shock our
Deople & they had not already been insidiously
1l!ured from tie safe landmarks of principle,
Never have honest desire for national pr i. tn
patriotic d-rotion to country a"t sincere re-
gard FOR those who toll h'tn 80 betrayed to
rEe support of perr.i rfitls doctrine.
IN its behalf h. .iea that our infant indus
tries shor'ld &c r0stere! did service until do
credited BY our staIwart growth: then friIywed
che eA'- enctes of q terrible was. which made
our Irorle needless of the cppOrt unities for
nlterior schemes a.fS~:tti by the willing and
and now. after long period of peace when
"pr cveTbardened coantrymen ask for relief
and restoration to q fuller enjoyment ~
thesf incomes and earnings, they are nlnt by
che claim that tariff tayation fer t,ia sake OF
protection is American system, the con-
tnnancc OF Witch is necessary in order that
high wages may tr paid to our workir~::.ie II
and home market be provided fe. our farm
Irc iucts
These Iae.enses sho~ti no longer deceive.
The trath Is tltss -dch system Is directly
antagoutzed 5t every sentiment of justice and
fairness q which Americans are rre-cn. in ent "
:ner AID farmers can the Ir-st ~ III a,,r people
defend themselves against t'e harder home
life which sncti tariff taxation DEGREES. the
wOrkngypan suffering from the importation
and enlsaoymeut 81 rauper labor. inst igat cd
hy his ptefe-scsi friends, and seeking security
still watts for a division OF the advantages Sc
surel 20 his employer under cove. ef gener.
ors solicitude for his wages, w,,ilc the farmer
II learning tha; the pfi.'ee bs his products ar.
fixed in foreign markets. where he suffers f.,;,r
competitions ''1ited and built ns. =; the sys.
tenn he Is asked TO support.
The struggle for unea..ed advantage at the
doors of the government tramplcs on the
rights OF those who patiently rely upon as
surances ct American equality. Every Rev.
ernmentaJ concession to clamoroas fa,crites
Invites corruption in political Nfynirs by en-.
co9rrging the expenditure OF money to de
teach suffrage IN support of a policy directl,
favorable to private and selfish gain. This III
the end must strangic patriotism and weake,
popular confHence III the rectitude Of republt
saan instit utions.
, Though the subject of tariff legislation in
Wolves a question of markets, it also involve:
q question Of morals. We cannc. with i'm
right and equity, which, is the life of our re-
publtc and we shall fai; to reach our nationa
destiny II greed ard selishness lead the way
fmocracy will seek by the application of jus
and seuni principles to equalize to our peapl
the blessings due them from the government
they support to promote among our country
men closer community of interests, cement
cd by patriotism and national pride and I,
point out fair field where prosperous and di
vers1ned American enterprise may grow an,
thrive in the wholesome atmosphere of Ameri
can industry, ingenuity and intelligence.
reform IL St1tI purpose. IhOuQ
we oppose the theory that tariff laws may b.
passed having for their object the granting O
discriminating and unfair aid to private ven
lures we wage no externinating war agains
Iustment can be accomplished in accordance
with the principles we profess without dis
aster or demolition. We believe that the adj
vantages OF freer raw material should be &C
corded to our manufacturers and we contem
plate a fair and careful distribution of neces
sary tariff burdens rather than the precipita
t1Ou of free trade.
We anticipate with calmness the misrepre
sentations Of our motives and purposes insti
gated by seihshness which seeks TO hold il
unrelenting grasp its unfair advantage unte
lresent tariff laws. We will RELY npon the in
telligence of our fellow countrymen to reiec
the charge that a party comprising a maiorit,
OF our people IL planning the destruction O
injury OF American interests. and we know
they cannot be frightened by the specter q
impossible free trade.
The administration and management of ou
government depend upon popular will. Fed
eral power is the instrument of that will
Of Of the opponents Of Democracy to inter
OF the States through Federal azencie
develops design. which no explanation cal
mitigate. to reverse the fundamental and SAT,
relations between the people and their govern
1nent. Such an attempt cannot fail to be re
garded by thoughtful men as proof Of a bolt
denomination to secure the ascendency Of 6
discrcdited party in reckless disregard of a fire.,
expression Of the popular will TO resist sucl
scheme Is an impulse of democracy. At all
times and in all places we trust the reople
As AGAINST the disposition to force the way t.
federal power, we present to them as our CLAIM
to their confidence and support stead,
championship of their rights
The people are entitled to sound and homes,
money, abnndantly sufficient in volume tt
supply their business needs. But whateve,
may be the form OF the peoples currency ma.
tional or State-whetheI gold, silver or paper
ernmental action, or by wise and careful