Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-11-03

0hzsrm 2a Carter Dfs.ssss Is Ia an I.ssr-
s-tizs @aa Vigorous Way
Mr.. Cisseland's letter If acceptance
y conceded ~ be the weakest document
that he mas given tho public IL was
generally criticised as pitlfnl attempt
70 srrstdls al the doubtful issues Of the
campaign and make enemies OF nobody.
Here l. what Chairman Carter Of the
Republican committee said Of il:
IL l. rather diihcalt 10 figure out from
Mr.. Cleveland's letter OF acceptance pre-
eisaly what 40 believes about anything.
He starts out by saying that he Is more
than ever confirmed Ia the belief that
al the things which he has heretofore
believed are true and excellent. | sup
pose that nobody Will doubt Mr.. Cleye-
lands regard for his opinions Srill In
tho present situation, the Republican
party having declared plainly and ex-
plicitly In tariff 50 devised as 10 protect
American Industries while raising the
revenues necessary 70 support the gov
eminent. and the Democratic party
having explicitly declared that such an
arrangement OF the tariff Is unconstitu-
tionaI. il would have been interesting 10
know whether Mr.. Cleveland agreed
with thasRepublican or Democratic the
DRY.
IL viii be remembered that In 1884 Mr..
Cleveland ran for the presidency and
was elected on platform which stated
that the Democratic party simply de-
sired 10 reform the tariff, and that IN re-
forming 10 they did not intend To disturb
existing industries. They said that they
were aware of the fact that many in
dnstries depended on the protective tariff,
and that all changes Of existing law
must take note OF tho interests OF the
labor and capital invested This was
one Of those characteristic Democratic
lodging pianks which was intended 10
mean. and did mean, anything 10 any
body. Mr.. Randall stumped New York
saying that it meant protection; Mr..
Hurd stnmped Ohio saying that il meant
free trade; Mr. Mills stumped Texas say
ing that it meant an income tax; Mr..
Watterson stumped Kentucky saying
that it was exactly in line with the views
of the star eyed goddess of reform.
But the Democratic convention OF
1899. when this identical plank was pre-
sented 70 il by It's platform committee,
Overwhelmingly threw il out, and by a
vote OF $40 TO 3i2 the convention de-
clared itself for free trade pure and sim
pls. To have regard for any other pur-
pose, it' said. in devising tariff, than
the one purpose OF raising revenue, was
unconstitutional. In dealing with this
plank Mr.. Cleveland has twisted in evil
dent distress. He means what the plank
means, but does not dare To say so. In
stead be says he believes what he always
believed, and that everybody knows what
he has always believed. and that that
ought 10 be enough. Finally he says
the people cannot be frightened by the
specter Of impossible free trade. which
means. IL it means anything that the
people must have confidence in him and
his party, because they do not really
mean what they say. and have not the
courage OF their convictions.
This is certainly curious ground or
which to appeal to intelligent people for
their SURFACES. The Democratic con-
vention declared at Chicago in favor Of
the repeal OF the 10 per cent. tax on
state bank issues. This has excited the
profound alarm Of every believer in q
stable currency the country over. Those
of our people who lived before the war
will remember the condition Of congress
and affairs when everybody was per-
mitted To start bank and print slips Of
paper called money TO the extent of his
inclination. Millions on millions of more
or less worthless money fioated around
the country, nobody knowing precisely
what the bills he had in his pocket would
be received for at the bank, nor indeed
whether they were genuine or counter
felt.
The Republican party Is fighting In
this campaign for protection to Ameri-
can industries and American labor. The
Democratic party is fighting for free
trade. Mr.. Cleveland lodges the issue.
The Republican party Is fighting in this
campaign for honest money-dollars Of
equal value. and that value 100 cents on
the dollar. The Democratic party is
fighting for wildcat money-an unlimit-
ed Issue of meaningless paper. On this
issue Mr.. Cleveland is silent.