The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-20
EXECUTIVE MANSION.

EXECUTIVE MANSION.
"WAsHfS6ToN CfTY, Jusv2 lsa4
'To Hon W l. Nilson-Mg Dear Sir.
The certainty that q conference will DE
ordered between the two houses OF con-
gress for the purpose OF adjusting the diff
ferences on the subject of tariff legislation
makes il also certain that vou will be
called upon again TO do hard service
in the cause of tariff reform My
public life has been so closely related
TO the subject. ! have worked so long
for its accomplishment, and | have so
often promised its accomplish ment 10 my
fellow counirymen as q result of their
trust and confidence in the Democratic
party, that l hope no excuse is necessary
Tor my earnest appeal 10 you that in this
crisis. you strenuousiy insist upon party
honesty and good faith aud a sturdy ad-
herence 10 Democratic principles. I be-
iieys these are absolutely necessary contii-
tions 10 the continuation OF Democratic
existence,
II cannot rid myself of the feeling that
this conference viii present the best. ii
not the only hope of true Democracy. In
dications point 10 its action as the reli-
ance of those who desire the genuine
fruition of Democratic effort, the fulfill
ment of Democratic pledges and the re-
demption OF Democratic PROMISES 10 the
people. To reconcile differences in the
details comprised within the liked and
weil-defined lines of principle will rot be
the sole task for the conference, but as il
seems TO me, its members also have in
charge the question whether Democratic
principles themselves are to be saved or
abandoned.
'There is no excuse for mislaking or
misapprehending the feelings and temper
OF the rank and file of Democracy. They
are downcast under the assertion that their
party has failed ia ability to manage the
government, and they are apprehensiye
that efforts TO bring about tariff reform
may fail. but they are much more down
cast and appFehensive In their fears that
Democratic principles may be surrendered.
In these necessary circumstances they cam
not do otherwise than to look with con-
tidence 10 you and those who, with you,
have patriotically and sincerely cham
pioned the cause of tariff reform within
Democratic lines. and have been guided
by those principles This confidence is
vastly augmented by the action. under
your leadership, of the public representa-
tives on the bill now pending
Every true Democrat and every sincere
tariff reformer knows that this bill in its
present form. and as 1t will be submitted
TO the conference, falls far short of the
consummation for which We have long
labored, for which we have suffered defeat
without discouragement: which, iii its
anticipation gave US railying cry in our
day of triumph. and which, in its promise
of accomplishment. is so interviewer with
Democratic pledges and Democratic sue
cesses that our abandonment of the cause
or the principles upon which il rests
means party periidy and party dishonor.
zone topic will be submitted to the con-
ference which embodies Democratic prin-
ciples so directly that it cannot be COM
promised. We have in our platforms, and
in every way possible, declared in favor of
the free importation OF raw materials. We
have again and again promised that this
should he accorded to our people and our
manufacturers as soon as the Democratic
party was invested with the power TO de-
termine the tariff policy of the country.
The party has that power now. We are
as certain as we have ever been of the
benefit that would accrue 10 the country
from the inauguration of this policy. and
nothing has occurred to release us from
our Obligation TO secure this advantage 10
our people.
"It must be admitted that no tariff
measure can accord with Democratic
principles and promise. or bear the
genuine Democratic badge. that does
not provide for free raw materials. In
these circumstances 1t may well ex-
cite our wonder that Democrats are
willing TO depart from this most Demo-
inconsistent absurdity Of such proposed
departure should be emphasized by the
suggestion that the wool 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 lndulg-
ing in such outrageous dscrimina tions
and violations of principles2 Ii is quite
apparent this question Of free raw ma
terial does not admit of adjustment on
any middle grounds: since their subieetlon
to any rate of tariff taxation. great or
small. is alike violation of Democratic
principles and Democratic good faith.
Il hone YOU will not consider il in
trusive if | say something in relation 10
another subject which can hardly fail TO
be troublesome 10 the conference. | refer
TO the adjustment OF the tariff taxation on
sugar. Under our party platform and in
accordance with our declared party pur-
poses. sugar is a legitimate and logical
article OF revenue taxation. UntoTtu-
nately, however. incidents have accom-
pauied certain stages OF the legislation
which would be submitted TO conference
that have aroused. ia connection with this
subject. national Democratic an imosity 10
the methods of manipulation by trusts
and combinations. | confess 10 sharing
in this feeling. and yet II seems 10 me We
ought. II possible 70 sufficiently free our
Sc YES from prejudice 20 enable Us 10
coolIy weigh the considerations which, in
formulating tariff legislation. ought 70
guide our treatment ot sugar as a taxable
article. Whlle no tenderness should be
entertained for trusts, and while | de-
ctGed.v opposed granting them. under
the enise Of tariff taxation. any
opportunity 10 farther their par
tcnlar rnethOds. 1 suggest that we
ought not 20 bs driven away from
the Democratic principle and policy
which lead TO the taxation Of sugar ~
tie fear. quite likely exaggerated, that m
carving 6us this principle and policy se
NAV indirectly and in3riinaieiy encolr-
are a CO nblnation 81 the sugar reunsng
interests / knoN that n the present con
altious this - a de.lcate subject. and ar-
rreciAte the depth and streugth Of the
feeling uhlch is treatment has aroused.
a. nos believe sc shalld 90 eEA tlat good
nav me. hut % seems - me Ee should
not f1reet that our aim - the com rletinn
of tie tarlf. aud in taxing sugar for
nrouer puruose. and within rrz~onaeie
bounds. whatever e.se may be said 90 our
acton. Ee are in no danger OK running
counter 10 Democratic Vrincsples- Ihere
must be in the tTsAtmeat OF this &rtlcle,
some ground upon which &C al are sil.-
tor ~ stand. where toleratioa and cou-
citation NAV &c allowed 20 so.ve TIE prob
lem without demanding the entire
& con - erfEzEsf5s CfsaEfc-