The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-25

the enforcement OF the general principle
OF free raw materials when the democrats
should obtain power. ne exceeded his
authority and mislnterpreted our position
II Is said by some, I'm justification or
excuse for their present action. that the
presidents letter OF acceptance OF 1892
modified the extreme demands Of our
platform. IL Is true that some portions
OF his letter may tend 10 bear that con-
struction. II was not that ringing and
explicit declaration I'm favor Of the plat
form which his party had right 10 eX-
pect. but was regarded by many as
umid. cautions and conservative, but
whether this criticism Is or Is not well
founded. the fact remains that he had
no power or authority 10 change or
alter one line. or sentence. or provision
Of the national platform which had been
deliberately adopted In national conven-
tion duly assembled
mo president can be above his party
no president can dictate 20 his party; no
president can change his party plat
FORM But no matter what idea 70
may be claimed was intended 10 be con-
Neyed In his letter OF acceptance. In
mitigation or modification Of the plat
form, there can be no doubt az TO the
presidents position at this time upon
this essential principle OF free raw MA
torial. Let me read from that remark
able letter OF the presidents which was
yesterday submitted TO the house OF
representatives. IL Expresses better
than / can hope 90 do the true. sound and
logical position OF the democratic party
upon this question"
After reading extracts from the letter.
Mr.. i'm went on AZ follows: MIR. Prcsi-
dent, | approve every word OF that /
have quoted IL is an honest and manly
statement OF the true attitude which the
party should assume In this crisis, ! am
not required 20 defend the proprlety or
wisdom OF the FORMULATION OF this
letter fhlN npffIlIHT time IL have
been iudiacreet. it may operate as a fire.
brand 90 spread the flames OF dlscord
already kindled among party friends.
honestly differing, as ] am disposed TO
concede upon questions OF public ana
party policy. II may widen the breach
already existing I'm this senate and In
that view II may be regarded as unfortu-
nate and ill-advised. IL was time for
diplomacy. statesmanship and concilia-
ton, rather than recrimination. deuun-
citation and Arrangement. But aside from
the question OF It's mere expediency, / am
here TO defend the presidents letter I'm
80 far as IL demands that party shall not
be led astray into the violation OF dem
ocratic pledges and principles.
Free Raw Materials.
Upon the question Of free raw mater.
ials the president IL right and YOU know
IT, You can not answer his arguments.
You can not successfully dispute his
propositions. You can not doubt his sin
cerity and patriotism. You must yield In
the end TO his views. You can not stand
up against the sentiment OF the great
democratic masses OF the country, which
will rally around the president In his
contest with you upon This particular
branch OF the subject. The time to yield
IS now, before there is further humllia-
ton. embarrassment and discord.
MIR. President. having demonstrated
that the true democratic theory OF rev
enue reform requires that free raw ma
tcrials should be its distinguishing feat
ure. let us next inquire what Is the con-
dition which now cOnfronts US. The SEN
ate bill. which has been passed, viO-
lates this democratic theory, and. while
it reduces the duty on iron, coal, lead
and some other raw materials from those
imposed under the Mckinley law. and In
that respect IS commendable, II never
theless imposes some duties thereon and
thereby fails 10 redeem our pledges.
1T Is not a question OF the amount of
duties which may be imposed-a ques-
ton Of principle Is involved and a single
penny duty violates our promise and
places us in false position. AS the
president we'll says, there can be no
promise on a matter Of this character.
where vital principle IS at stake.
"The house Of representatives. fresh
from the people, which represents more
taxing power OF the people. repudiates
our bill and a democratic president has
emphasized that reputation and the
condition when confronts us Is one Of
extreme embarrassment Shall we re-
treat or advance? Shall we surrender
TO the house while we can do so
honorably. or shall we wait until we
are driven to Il?
"In the light Of the letter Of the presl-
dent the house cannot honorably re-
treat. II has no other alternative ex-
cept to insist upon its bill wherein II
provides for free raw materials.
Mny Mean "a Veto.
THE president cannot approve the SEN
ate bill after what he has said I'm this re-
markable letter. He arraigns the senate
and intimates that the enactment OF the
senate bill means party perfldy and party
dishonor.' These are strong words which
the president OF the United States would
not use toward a measure which he ever
expected afterward TO approve. This let
ter, unusual and unprecedented In its
character and method Of PRONUNCIATION
though 1t be, nevertheless clearly fore
shadows a veto of the senate bin even
II the house should finally concur in our
! amendments. What person would expect
the president 20 approve the senate bill
after the vigorous and scathing denuncia-
ton contained In his letter? You would
lNlIk Tess OF MIN lot MS BldTlng neon
sistency. No, this letter is significant II
Is bold, vigorous. even II imprudent II
means war 10 the knife against the senate
I bill; 1t justlfes much that has been said
against the senate bill during all the last
! three months; Il means that IL can never
! receive executive approval; il means that
the senate cannot be permitted to aban-
don or surrender the great underlying
principles for which we struggled and lost
IN 1883. and fought and won in 1892
THE president IS right There Is nc
middle ground which we can occupy. Nc
bill which does not provide for free raw
materials can be permitted 10 become
law. 1t Is unnecessary TO enter into
any argument 10 define or designate what
articles constitute raw materials. Every
| democrat knows what they are ANY
article may be considered raw material
when II Is in the lowest or crudest form
In which 1t enters into commerce. That
definition Ia ample and sufficient and
will redeem our pledges If II Is honestly
applied The party platform was for free
not freer materials as is now ingpnlOusly