New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-20

cause.
Senator Hill then reviewed the histories OF the
Two parties beginning with the birth OF the Dehio-
cratic party in the early dawn of the century nc
followed its course TO the MONDAY periou' anu
then took hop, skip and jump INFO ,he eIei.ns
tide. He passes over the war perlod uo"ii " '.'
debate on the Elections Dill lie tnen re'e'' ~
the Republican party as an orgahiza'ion u ~.
growth, which has outllved us "seiu'h
which refuses 70 disband. lie adoS'
II ia No, claimed that the Democratic party IS
entirely right upon every conceivable SUBJECT "'"'
divides public opinion, or that the Republican parry -
entirely wrong, and no one but the most Dlso''u Pa"
san would insist upon so absurd q claim Dut "" ~
NIT tina, upm the great vital issues OF me ioui[
the material points in dspute-the Dehoc'"oy ANU
the vantage ground and more correctly represent ui'
n,ocples and policies which are best CALCULATED u
subserye the hghess interests Of the whole country
TAKING UP THE TARIFF QUESTION
He continued, however, by saying that the emu
must be determined largely by the people theui-
selves. Then taking up the tariff question: Tic
faid:
Copoisely stated what Is the position Of the two
nares upon this question: desire to state IL larry
The Republican party advocates the doctrine tial uo
Government has a constitutional as well as moi'u
right 10 impose tariff duties for the purpose OF en-
oouragDg the building up of private industries by me
imposition Of duties sufficiently large TO prevent foreign
compettion irrespective of the question OF the needs Of
the Treasury while the Democratic party believes that
the Government has only constitutional ana "ol"'
right to impose such duties as may be necessary u
rase sufficient revenue to support the government
economically administered. This IS the precise issue
souarely stated There other ways OF expressing
the same general idea. Both paIues c"nho' oe ''s'
one or the other must be wrong
The consideration OF this subject leads to an analysis
OF the true functions OF Government anc IL IS lpo'
tant TO determine where We are drifting. Ihere are
some things which must be conceded because "ie!
are too plain for argument, and one OF them Is 'n"'
the Government has constitutional power 10 enter
into private business directly and what II cannot uo
directly 1t cannot or ought not to do indirectly us
functions are public functions and must be exercised
for r<hlic purposes. 1t Is elementary princlpe
that bnvate property can only be taken for puohc
use The right OF eminent domain cannot be eAef-
cised in aid of private enterprises his Is te cor
rect theory OF government and 1t excludes the IDEA
that one citizen may be burdenea 10 roster ahoVHe'
citizens private schemes.
THE FREE-TRADE PLANK.
Tho Democratic National platform gives forth no
uncertain sound upon this subject and correctly states
the true position Of the party. II denies the consul
tutiona power Of the Government to impose taxes LOT
other than public purposes. Let read the whole OF
that plank:
I'VE declare 1t 10 be fundamental principle OF the
Democratic party tDat inc NONti4''"Nh' "'7
no constitutional power 10 impose and collect TAIN
duties except for the purposes Of only and
we demand that the collection Of such taxes shall be
limited TO the necessities OF the Government when non
esty and economically administered $50
l am not here to apologize for that plank am
here advocate and defend It, 1t correctly ana SUD
sattally states the Democratic faith am aware
that Concerted effort is being made by our opponents
10 make It appear that new departure has been en-
tormer Conservative position upon the tariff question
and assumed another and holder attitude HauIhs 90
some Of us might have preferred a little different
pbraseology. but as whole ~ suncien,iy eAIc
same general idea. and the precise form used IS not
every essential particular this nank was embodied 10
the bemgcrs Natonal plao; Of 1916 upon , %ics
states a1d BAKING once been ratified by majority OF
the American people, 1t is believed that IL VIII pe
satisfactory TO them now
REALIZING THE DEMOCRATIC DIFFICULTY.
realize the difficulty of presenting the question
OF the constituuonahty of protective tariff law 10
the courts and in that view It may have been nncces
sary or not desirable to have challenged IT'S Legality
We need not have placed objection upon that
ground while so many fatal objections existe dto the
system ITSELF but that course was mere matter OF
discretion. The fact remains hat We have always IN
sisted and now insist that warrant can be found
IN the Constitution FOR the imposition Of tarh duties
10 aid private industries, but whether such ta1h
is constitutional not, whether it Is practicable
to have the question properly raised or decided, the
system Itself vicious In the extreme unjust to the
people and contrary TO the spirit Of our free nstu
lions. A tariff bill upon - face usually declares
for ,T' the support Of the Governments and whether
or exorbtant, prohbitoy or otherwise it is impossible
for the TO that the purpose Of the measure
was not soely TO provide revenue for the Govern
mcnt, no matter what the tue object Of its trainers
was or whether or not the Treasury may already be
oyernOwngs Besides law is not Away heli unconst
Iutlonal although IL may IN degree violate the
spirit Of the Constitution The Constitution, as well
evaded without adequate immediate remedy on the
part Of the people. Whether, by reason Of ihose
difficulties it Is ever practicable TO obtain deter
minaton of the constitutiOnaty Of revenue law,
ostensbly framed for the puTpose Of raising revenue.
competent for the Nalona! Convention 70 declare
Gs p0 ne OF exd f pEh e p6 1Rfn the monc gG
Whence comes the power to protect private industries
what clause Of the Constitution can be dnToked for
ceded by every intelligent citizen that the Constitution
does not grant any such express power. There Is
blanket power to provide for the General Welfare.
will not IN uf theS is a ITch d
under Article 10 OF the Constitution which provides
states by tho Constitution nor prohibited BY IT to the
States, reserved to the States respectively, or 10
anywhere whose treatise on the Constitution Is re
garded standard authority. who ventures TO affirm
the Constitutional right Of Congress 70 levy duties for
any other direct purpose than for the sup
port OF the Government.
TERRIBLE DANGERS POINTED OUT.
Republican protection, therefore, does not cOnsti-
tutonally exist, but Is imposed upon the people BY
fraud false precnse evasion and abuse OF the
taxing power The Constitution gives Congress power
lay and collect taxes, duties, imposs excises0
article l. Section -. II can exercise that power
conscientiousy. or II evade abuse It, All
the socalled protection for which opponents have
clamorcd and which they have obtained In recent
years has secured by constitutional sanction
but by the abuse OF the conceded taxing Of the
Government. II Is a dangerous exercise OF authority.
IL Is a pcrvcrson OF the powers OF government. II
furnishes a hazardous precedent which will surely
return TO plague Let where II will lead
us. the general Government, under the pretcnse
OF raising revenue impose proiihitOry dnte, and
thereby protect domestic industries from the cOmpc-
titiOn which the laws OF trade would otherwise provide
then, under the preensc-the raising OF revenue
1T by taxation essentially usurp most Of TIE
functions Of the State governments. and virtually
regulate marriage aud divorce, the rate OF Interest
ON Y the