The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-07-26

Our manufactures 6houlQ Do lreeC
from the burden OF tariff taxation
The best interests OF the manufactuT
ers ss we'll as consumers OF the land
demand the recognition of this wise
discrimination. We are honorably
bound to redeem our pledges and oul
promises. Justice, good faith and 8
decent regard for public sentiment al.
REQUIRE such course. Until recently
| had supposed that there was DO dis
uute upon this question of principle
but that every democrat worthy of the
name was willing to concede that II
there was one thing more than another
10 which the Democratic party was
committed 1t was in favor
of the doctrine Of abso
lutely free raw material. The
of absolutely free raw material. The
true and honest construction of every
Democratic national platform for Il
wears past irrevocably commits US tc
this lust and reasonable principle"
Mr., Hill read the Democratic ma.
tional platform of 1892 and continued
ITO repeal the Mckinley law in form
simply: to re-enact it in effect in keep.
ing THIS promise to the letter but
breaking it in spirit. He pointed
to the platform with pride
and deliberately approved the meas
ureg for free iron ore, free lead ore
free coal and free wool, which were
pending in congress at the time oil
the convention. The Democratic po-
sition was so plain and is so clear that
he VINO runs may read. If any DEM
ocratic orator in any part of the coun-
try, forgetting the interests of the
whole land and subscribing the sup.
posed interests of 8 locality, promised
the people of any state or section that
there would be any exception made to
the enforcement of general principle
of free raw materials when the Demo.
Gratis shonld obtain power, he exceed.
ed his power and misinterpreted our
position. 1t is said by some, in JUST.
fication and excuse for their present
action, that the presidents letter of
acceptance of 1892 modified the
extreme demands of our platform. 1t
ia true that some portions of his letter
may tend TO bear that construction.
1t was not that bold, ringing and eX-
plicit declarations in favor of the plat.
form which his party had a right to
expect but was regarded by many as
timid, cautious and conservative, but
whether this criticism is or is not we'll
founded, thefact remains thathe had
no power or authority to change or
alter one line or sentence or provision
of the national platform which had
been deliberately adopted in a ma
tional platform which had been de.
liberately adopted in nation conven.
ton duly assembled. No president
can be above his party, no president
can dictate to his party; no president
can change his party platform. But
no matter what idea it may be claim
ed was intended to be conveyed in his
letter of acceptance in mitigation
or modification of the plat
form, there can be no doubt
as to the presidents position this time
upon this essential principle of free
raw materials. Let me read from that
letter of the presidents,
which was yesterday submitted to the
house of Representatives 1t expresses
better than L can hope to do the true,
sound and logical position of the Dem
ocratic party upon this question.
After reading extracts from this let
ter Mr.. Hill went on as follows: "Mr.
President, l approve every word of
that have quoted. 1t is an honest,
manly statement of the true attitude
which the party should assume in
this crisis. am not required to de-
fend the prOpriety or wisdom of the
PRONUNCIATION of this letter at this pc.
culiar time. 1t may have been indis-
Greet, it may operate as firebrand to
spread the flames of discOrd
alreaJy kindled among party friends,
honestly differing, as | am disposed
to concede, upon questions OF public
and party policy. 1t may widen the
breach already existing in this senate
and in that view it may be regarded
as unfortunate and i'll advised. 1t
as time fer diplomacy, statesman
ship end Cancellation, rather than re-
elimination, denunciatiOn and ar
Bat aside from the ques-
ton of it's mere expeny, am here to
defend the presidents letter in so far
as it demands that the party shall not
be led astrsy into the violation of
DemOcra ic pledges and principles.
Upon the question of free raw mate-
rails, the president is right and you
know it. You cannot answer his ar
guments. You cannot successfully
dispute his propositions. You cannot
doubt his sincerity and patriotism.
You must yield in the end to his
views. You cannot stand up against
the sentiment of the great Democratic
masses of the country which will rally
around him in his contest upon this
particular branch of the subject. The
time to yield is now, before there is
further humiliation, embarrassment
and discord. Mr.. President, having
demonstrated that the true Demo-
cratic theory of revenue reform re.
quires that free raw materials should
be its distinguishing feature, let us
next Inquire what is the condition
which now confronts US. The senate
bill which has been passed violates
this Democratic theory, and while it
reduces the duty on iron, coal, lead
and some other raw materials from
those imposed upon US by the McKin.
ley law, and in this respect it is COM
menda6le, it imposes, nevertheless,
some duties thereon, and fails to re.
deem our pledges. 1t is not question
of the act of duties which
may be imp osed, but question
OF principle is involved aud a single