Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-07-27
us a rallying cry in our day of triumph, and
III irr

us rallying cry in our day of triumph, and
which in its promise of accomplishment is so
interviewer with democratic pledges and dem
ocratic success that our abandonment of the
cause or the principles upon which it rests
means party perfidy and party dishonor.
One topic will be submitted to the confer
ence which emboG;es democratic principle SO
directly that it cannot he compromised. We
have i'll our platforms and in every way pos
sible declared in favor of the free importation
of raw materials. We have again and again
promised that this should be accorded to our
people and our manufacturers as soon as the
democratic party was invested with the pow
Ell to determine the tariff policy of the coun-
try.
The party now has that power. We are as
certain to-day as we have ever been, of the
great benefit that would accrue to the country
from the Inauguration of this policy, and
nothing has occurred to release us from our
obligation to secure this advantage to our
people It must be admitted that no tariff
measure can accord with democratic princi-
pies and promises OF bear a genuine demo-
cratic badge that does not provide for free
raw mater al.
In these circumstances it may we'll excite
our wonder that democrats are willing to de-
part from this the most democratic OF all tar
if principles and that the inconsistent alb
surdity of such proposed departure should
be emphasized by the suggestion that the
wool of the farmer be put on the free list and
the protection of tariff taxation be placed
around the iron ore and coal of corporations
and capitalists. How can we face the people
after indulging in such outrageous discrimi-
nations and violations of principles?
It is quite apparent that this question of
free raw material does not admit of adjust
ment on any middle ground, since their SUBJ
lection to any rate of tariff taxation, great OF
small, is alike violative of democratic prin
ciple and demo cratic good faith.
hope that you will not consider it intrus
i've if I say something in relation to another
subject which can hardly fail to be trouble
some to the conference. l refer to the ad just
ment of tariff taxation on sugar.
Under our party platform, and in accord
ance with our declared party purposes, sugar
is legitimate and logical article of revenue
taxation. Unfortunately, however, incidents
have accompanied certain stages of the legis-
lation which will be submitted to the confer
ence that have aroused in connection with this
subject natural democratic animosity to the
methods and manipulations of trusts and COM
binations. confess to sharing in this feel
ing; and yet it seems to me we ought, if pos
sible, to sufficiently free ourselves from pre-
judice to enable us coolly to weigh the con-
siderations which in formulating tariff legis-
lation, ought to guide our treatment of sugar
as taxable article.
While no tenderness should be entertained
for Trusts. and while am decidedly opposed
togranting them, under the guise of tariff tax
alton, any opportunity to further their pecu :
liar methods, 1 suggest that we ought not to
be driven away from the democratic principle
and policy which lead to the taxation of SUI
gar, by the fear, quite likely exaggerated, that
in carrying out this principle and policy we
may Indirectly and Unfortunately encourage
combination of sugar refining interests. I
know that in present conditions this is del
icate subject, and l appreciate the depth and
strength of the feeling which its treatment
has aroused. do not believe we should do
evil that good may come, but it seems to me
that we should not forget that our aim is the
completion of a tariff bill, and that in taxing
sugar for proper purposes and within reason
able bounds, whatever else may be said of
our action, we are In no danger Of running
counter to democratic principle. With all
there is at stake there must be in the treat
ment of this article some ground upon which
we are willing to stand, where liberation and
Cancellation may be allowed to solve the
problem without demanding the entire sur.
render of fixed and conscientious convictions
l ought not to prolong this letter. If whai
l have written is unwelcome I beg you to be
| lieve in my good intentions.
| In the conclusion of the conference touching
the numerous items which will be considered
the people ale not afraid that their interests
will be neglected. They know that the gene
raj result SO far as they are concerned will be
to place home necessaries and comforts more
easily within their reach, and to insure better
and surer compensation to those who toll.
We all know that tariff law covering ali
the varied interests and conditions of coun
try as vast as ours must of necessity be large
ly the result of honorable adjustment and
compromise,
| Iexpect very few of us can say, when oul
measure is perfected, that all its features are
entirely as we would prefer. You know how
IN UGH 1 deprecated the incorporation in the
proposed bill of the income-tax feature. Ii
matters of this kind, however, which do moi
violate a fixed and recognized democratic
doctrine, we are willing to defer to the judg
ment of a majority of our democratic breth
rem. think there is a general agreement tina
this is party duty.
This is more palpably apparent when W.
realize that the business of our country timid
ly stands and watches for the result of our Ct
forts to perfect tariff legislation, that quicl
and certain return OF prosperity waits upon {
| wise adjustment, and that confding people
still trust in our hands their prosperity ant
we'll being.
The democracy OF the land plead most earn
estly for the speedy completion of the tariff
legislation which their representatives hav'
undertaken, but they demand not less earn
estly that no stress of necessity shall temp
those they trust to the abandonment of demo
cratic principle.
Yours. very truly,
/ GROVER CLEVELAND.
Another Female Physician
Elected.