The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-20
tPcrsonaD
"EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WAsHINaroN, July, IS. 1894 q
Hon. William l.. Wilson,
my Dear Sir:-The certainty that a
conference will be ordered by the two
houses Of Congress for the purpose of
adjusting differences on the subject of
tariff legislation makes it also certain
that you will be again called on to do
hard service in the cause OF tariff re-
form.
my public life has been so closely
related TO the subject, have SO longed
often promised lis realization to nv
fellow countrymen as a result OF their
trust and confidence in the Democratic
party, that l hope no excuse is neces-
sary for my earnest appeal to you that
In this crisis you strenuously insist
upon party honesty and good faith and
sturdy adherence to Democratic prin-
ciples. l believe these absolutely
necessary conditions TO the continuation
OF Democratic existence.
cannot rid myself of the feeling
that this conference will present the
best, IL not the only hope OF true De-
mocracy. Indications point to its nc
ton as tho reliance OF those who desire
the genuine fruition of Democratic eff.
fort, the fulhllment OF Democratic
pledgeo and tho rede m ption OF Demo-
cratic promises to the people.
:" 10 reconcile differences In the deals
comprised within the fixed and we'll de-
fined lines Of principle viii. not be the
sole task Of the conference, but, as it
seems to me, it's nom bers will also have
in charge the question whether Demo-
cratic principles themselves are to be
saved or abandoned
"There Is no excuse for MISLEADING or
misapprehending the feeling and the
temper OF the rank and file OF the De-
mocracy. They are downcast under the
assertion that their party fails in ability
to manage the government and they are
apprehensive that efforts to bring about
tariff reform may fail; but they are much
more downcast and apprehensive in
their fear that Democratic princip Pile
may be sure ndered.
I'm these circumstances they cannot
do otherwise than to look with conf
dence to you and to those who, with
you, have periodically and sincerely
championed the cause of tariff reform
within Democratic lines and guided by
Democratic principles. This confidence
is augmented by the action under your
leadership OF the House of Representa-
tives on the bill now pending.
Every true Democrat and evory sin
cere tariff reformor knows that this
bill. in it's present form, and as il will
be submitted to the conference, falls
far short of the consum On ton for which
we have long labored, for which we
have suffered defeat without discour-
agement. which, in its anticipation,
gave us rallying cry In our day Of tri-
umph, and which, in it's promise Of &C
mplishment, is so interviewer with
Democratic pledges and Democratic
success that our abandonment OF th a
cause or the principles on which il rests
means party psrhdY and party dis
honor.
The topic will be submitted to the
conference which en- bodies Democratic
principles so directly that it cannot be
compromised We have in our plat.
forms and in every way possible de.
clared in favor Of the free impor ia ton
OF raw materials. We have again and
again promised that this should be &C.
corded TO our people and our manufac.
turers as soon as the Democratic party
was invested with the power to deter
mine the tariff policy OF the country.
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 inaugu.
ration Of this policy, and nothing has
occurred to release us from our obliga-
ton to secure this advantage to our
people. 1t must be admitted that no
tariff me assure can accord with Demo.
cratic principles and promises or bear
genuine Democratic badge that does
not permit free raw M aterial
1t may we'll excite our wonder that
Democrats are willing TO depart from
this, the most Dem ocratic of all tariff
principles, and that the inconsistent abb
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 protect ton of tariff
taxation be placed around the iron ore
and coal of corporations and capitalists
How can we face the people after in
dulginR in such outrageous discrimina-
items and violations of principle
1t is quite apparent that this qIes-
tlon OF free raw material does not ad-
nit OF adjustment on any middle
ground, since their subsection to any
rate of tariff taxation, great or small, Is
alike violative OF Democratic principle
and Democratic good faith Under our
party platform and in accordance with
our declared party purposes, sugar is a
legitimate and logical article Of rege-
nue. taxation.
Unfortunately, however, incidents
have accompanied Certain stages of the
legislation which will be gu omitted to
The conference that have aroused in
connection with this subject natural
Democratic animosity to the methods
and manipulations Of trusts and combi-