Mexico weekly ledger., 1892-09-29
stalwart growth; then followed the

stalwart growth; then followed th
exigencies Of. a terrible war, which
made our people needless of the op
portunities for Interior schemes aft
forded by their willing and patriot,
payment of unprecedented tribute
and now, after a long period Of
peace, when our oyerburdened coun
trymen ask for relief and q res tora.
ton to a fuller enjoyment of theil
incomes and earnings, they are mel
by the claim that tariff taxation fol
the sake of protection is an Ameri.
can system, the continuance O,
which is necessary in order that
high wages may be paid to working
men and a home market be proyid.
ed for our farm products.
A SYSTEM CONTRARY TO JUSTICE,
These pretenses should no longer
deceive. The truth is that such a
system is directly antagonized by
every sentiment of justice and fair
ness of which Americans are pre-
emlnently proud. It is also true
that while our workingmen and
farmers can, the least of all our peo-
pie, defend themselves against the
harder home life which such tar
id taxation DEGREES the workingman,
suffering from the importation and
employment of pauper labor insti-
gated by his protested friends, and
seeking security for his interests in
organized cooperation, still waits
for a division of the advantages Sc
cured to his employer under cover
of a generous solicitude for his wag-
es, while the farmer is learning that
the prices Of his products are fixed
in foreign markets, where he suffers
from a competition invited and built
up by the system he is asked to sup
port.
The struggle for unearned advan-
tage at the doors of the government
tramples on the rights of those who
patiently rely upon assurances of
American equality. Every govern
mental concession to clamorous ia
v%orites invites corruption in political
affairs by encouraging the expendi-
ture of money to debauch suffrage in
support of policy directly favorable
to private and selfish gain. This in
the end must strangle patriotism and
weaken popular confidence in the
rectitude of Republican institutions.
A QUESTION OF EQUITY.
Though the subject of tariff legis-
lation involves a question of markets
it also involves a question Of morals.
We cannot with impunity permit in
Justice to faint the spirit of right and
equity, which is the life of our Re-
public; and we shall fail to reach
our national destiny if greed and sci.
fshness lead the way. Recognizing
these truths, the national Democracy
will seek by the application of just
and sound principles to equalize tt
our people the blessings due then
from the government they support
to promote among our countrymen 1
closer community ofinterests cement
ed by patriotism and national pride
and to point out a fair field where
prosperous and diversified American
enterprise may grow and thrive il
the wholesome atmosphere of Amer
lean industry, ingenuity and intelli
gence.
Tariff reform is still our purpose
Though we oppose the theory tha'
tariff laws may be passed having
for their object the granting of dis
eliminating and unfair governmental
aid to private ventures, we wage
no exterminating war against any
American interests. We believe {
readjustment can be accomplished
in accordance with the principles W.
profess, without disaster or demoli
ton. We believe hal the advantages
' of freer raw material should be &C
corded to our manufacturers, ant
we contemplate a fair and careful
distribution OF necessary tariff bur
dens, rather than the precipitation
of free trade. We anticipate will
calmness the Misrepresentation o
our motives and purposes, instigatet
by a selfshness which seeks to holt
in unrelenting grasp its unfair ad
vantage under present tariff laws
We rely upon the intelligence Of on
fellow countrymen to reject tn
charge that a party comprising tn
majority of our people is plan
ming the destruction or injury o
American interests; and we know
they cannot be frightened by tn
specter Of impossible free trade.
Il THE FORCE BILL.
The administration and manage
ment of our government depend
upon popular will. Federal power j
Al x..~ S that I'LL n1f -