The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1893-09-14
Injustice to MIR. Cleveland. Read His
Own Words.

We regret to find an honest protec-
ZIONIST like the Pittsburgh Dispatch
circulating the iancies Of backsliding
and goose-hearted trimmera like the
New York Times, and believing that
Mr.. Cleveland has eventrated or will,
eventrate the Democratic platform, re-
moving from it that vital part, the de-
claration for a tariff for revenue only.
"Mr. Cleveland" says our Pittsburgh
contempary, Ibid repudiate the tariff
plank OF the Chicago platform writing
a letter of acceptance in which he sub.
stituted for that plank the declaration
that tariff revision should be conduct
ed on lines which would not be destruc-
tive OF legitimate interests, nor reduce
the wages of labor to a parity with
those in England"
We advise the Pittsburgh Dispatch
snd everybody else whohas been vic
tim of the delusion of secondhand
misiniormation to read Mr.. Cleveland d
letter OF acceptance, and see if it wills
bear any such construction. Far from
repudiating the Chicago tariff doctrine,
Mr.. Cleveland affirmed it:
"Such tariff taxes, representing
diminution of the property rights of
the people, are only Unsuitable when
laid and collected for the purpose Of
maintaining our Government, and fur
inishing the means for the accomplish
ment OF its legitimate purposes and
functions. This is taxation under the
operation of tariff for revenue. 1t &C.
cords with the profession of American
free institutions, and its justice and
honesty answer the test supplied by a
correct appreciation Of the principles
upon which these institutions rest.
"This theory Of tariff legislation
manifestly enjoins strict economy in
public expenditures, and their limita-
ton to legitimate public uses, mas
much as it exhibits as absolute eXt0r-
ton any exaction, by way OF taxation,
from the substance of the people, be-
yond the necessities of careful and
proper administration ofGovernment.
Opposed to this theory the dogma
is now boldly presented that tariff
taxation is justifable for the express
purpose and intent of thereby promot-
ing especial interests and enterprises.
Such proposition is so clearly con-
trary to.the spirit of our constitution
and SO directly encourages the disturb
ahce by selfshness and greed of pat
rotic sentiment, that its statement
would rudely shock our people, if they
had not already been lnsidiously allur-
ed from the safe landmarks of princi.
ple."
That was Mr.. Cleyeland's way Of
saying that protection is unconstitu-
tional. He went on to say that "the
subject of tariff legislation also Involves
question OF morals. We cannot with
impunity permit injustice to tain
the spirit OF right and equity which is
the life of our republi,," That !.
we cannot permit fraud and robbey Of
the great majority Of the American
people for the benefit OF the few to con
tirue The only words in the letter
which can be wrung into any sem
blance ofconservatism in regard to the
tariff are these
Tariff reform is still our purpose
Though we oppose the theory that tar
if laws may be passed having for theil
object the granting of discriminating
and unfair governmental aid to private
ventures, We wage no exterminating
war against any American interests
We believe a readjusment can be &C
complished in accordance with the
principles we profess, without disaster
or demolition. We believe that the adj
vantages of freer raw material should
be accorded to our manufactures apd
we contemplate fair and careful dis
tribution of necessary tariff burdens,
rather than the precipitation Of free
trade.
"We anticipate with claimness the
instrumentation Of our motives and