New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-29
,SELF-CONVICTED.
OF PERFIDY AND DISHONOf.

pEmNArIoN UPON HIMSELF FOR BE-
TRAYrNG PARTY AND ABANDON
mo PRINCIPLES.
Executive Mansion
washington, July 2. 1894
PewonaL)
To the Hon. william /. Wilson
! Ny Dear Sir: The certainty that conference
yul no ordered between the two houses or Con-
gross for the purpose OF adjusting differences on
the subject Of the tariff legislation makes II also
certain that you will be again called on 70 90 haru
service in the cause OF tariff reform.
NV public life has been 50 closely related 10 'he
| subject I have 80 onged for Its accomplishments
and I have so often promised Its realization 10 my
| follow -countrymen as a result Of their trust ana
confidence in the Democratic party that nope no
excuse Is necessary for my earnest appear W W"
that in this crisis you srenuously insist upon party
honesty and good faith and n sturdy adherence 10
Democratic principles. ! believe these aosolu'eV
necessary conditions to the continuation OF Demo-
cratic existence.
A BASE SURRENDER OF PRINCIPLE
cannot rid myself OF the feeling that TINS con-
ference will present the best II not the ony' nope
OF true Democracy. Indications point to its ac'o"
az the reliance Of those who desire the genuine
>r,,l,,on OF Democratic effort. the funlment OF
democratic pledges and the redemption OF Demo
cratic promises to the people To recohc'e u''e'
ences In the details comprised within the hNed "''
vell-,,enned lines Of principle Will not De he so'c
task OF the conference: but as 1t seems 10 me- II"
members Will also have Ia charge the PuesUo"
whc,her Democratic principles themselves are 10 De
saved or abandoned There Is no excuse TOT his
| taking or misapprehending the feeling anu "'e
temper OF the rank and file OF the DEMOCRACY
They are downcast under the assertion that 'nei'
party falls In ability to manage the Government
and they are apprehensive that efforts to brihs
ms
moro downcast and apprehensive In their rear 'ha'
Democratic principles may be surrendered'
In these circumstances they cannot do otherwise
than 10 look with confidence to you ana those VINO
with Won have periodically and sihcerey chai"-
,,oned the cause OF tariff reform within Democratic
lines and guided by Democratic principles lh's
c,,,srencc :. vastly augmented by the action under
vour leadership OF the House OF Representatives.
upon the bill pending.
HOW CAN WE FACE THE PEOPLE?
,.- ,,,o Den,ocrat and every sincere tariff re-
,ormer knows TINT this bill In s present form ana
a. II will be submitted to the conference iails iaf
short OF the contamination for whch We ha'e '""s
l,hor.d for which have suffered deieal "'"""'
announcement which In It's anticipation gave Es a
roilvlng cry IN our day OF triumph. ana whch III 'S
promise Of accomplishment IL 70 interviewer WIN
n.,,oc,,,ic uleices and Democratic success that
ou- ,tandonment OF the cause OF the prlhcp'e'
49,, which II rests means party perhdy ana party
dishonor.
one topic Will b. submitted to the conference
,bich emhodes democratic principle 80 directly tha'
n cannot be compromised. We nave III our p'''-
ems and I'm every way possible declared In FAVOR
- the fire.. importation of raw materials we nave
again and again promised that THIS Shouid pe "''
corded To- our people and our manufacturers AZ 500"
as the democratic party vas Invested Win '"s
,ov.r 10 determine the tarin policy OF the country.
Tn. marty now has that power. We are as certain
,,y ,s we have ever been Of the great beneft that
,uiI accrue To- the country from the inauguration
Of this policy. ani nothing has occurred 70 ree'se
u from our Obligation to secure THIS ah'"h'ase "
our noon. IL must be- admitted that no tdrin
measure. can accord with Democratic principles ana
promises or bear genuine Democratic badge that
does M, urovlle FOR free material In the cir
cunsrances IL may well excite our wonder that De-
ocrat. are willing 10 depart from thl~' 'he hoS'
Democratic OF all tariff principles. and that the IN
.on.is,en, absurdity OF such a proposed departure
should be emphasized by the suggestion that the
wool OF the farmer be put on the free list and the
nro,.c,ion OF tarln taxation be placed around the
iron ar. and coal Of corporations and capitalists.
How can w. face the people after INDUCING In such
outrageous determinations and violations OF ?rinci-
pies?
II ls quite apparent that this question OF free raw
materials does not admit OF adjustment on any
middle ground since their subjecton 10 any rate
OF tariff taxation great or small Ia alike vlohtive
Of Democratic principle and Democratic good faith.
THE COMMUNISM OF PElF DEMOCRATIC.
hone that YOU will not consider 1t intrusive Il
s,v something In relation another subject which
can hardly fan be troublesome 10 the conference"
refer 10 the adjustment OF tarln taxation on sugar
Under our party platform. and In accordance WIN
our declared party purposes. sugar ~ le2i'sihh'e
and logical article OF revenue taxation Unfortunate
ly however. Incidents have accompanied certain
,yes ~ IN. legislation which will be submitted to
the conference that have aroused In connection WIN
this subject a natural Democratic aninosity 10 the
methods and manipulatlons OF trusts ana conoiha-
,ons | confess sharing In this feeling; ana YET
II seems to me- We ought II possible TO sufficiently
free Ourselves from prejudice to enable III cooly TO
u.igb tho combinations which In formulating tarin
legislation ought 10 guide our treatment OF sugar
AZ taxable article While no tenderness should oe
entertained for trusts and while | am decidedly
opposed granting them. under the guise or tarir
taxation any opportunity to further their peculiar
methods I suggest that we ought not TO be driven
away from the Democratic principle and policy which
lead to the taxation OF sugar by the fear, quite likely
exaggerated. that In carrying out this principle AMI
policy We may Indirectly and noriinately encourage
| a combination OF sugar-refining interests. know
that In present conditions this Is delicate subject
and I 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
IL seems to me that should not forget that our
aim Is the completion OF n tarin bill ana that IN
taxing sugar for proper purposes and within reasona-
bic bounds whatever else may he said or our action
we are in no danger Of running counter to Demo-
cratic principle. With all there Is at stake there
must be In the of this article some ground
upon which we are all willing to stand. where olera
ton and Cancellation may be allowed to solve the
problem without demanding the entire surrender
| OF fixed and conscientious convictions.
I ought not to prolong this letter. II what
! have written is unwelcome beg you to believe In
| my good intentions.
| In the conclusions OF the conference touching the
| numerous items which will be considered the peo-
| pie are afraid that their interests Will be- neg
lected. They know that the general result, so far
as they are concerned. will be to place home neces
saries and comforts easier within their reach and
to insure better and surer compensation to those