The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-21

and explicit declaration in favor of the
platform which his party had right to
expect, but was regarded by many as
timid, cautious and conservative; but
whether this criticism is. or is not, well
founded, the fact remains that he has
not power or authority to change or alter
one line or sentence or provision of the ma
tlonaI platform, which had been deliber-
ataly adopted in national convention duly
assembled. No President can be above
his party; no President can dictate to his
party; no President can change his
party's platform.
But no matter what idea it may be
claimed it was intended to be conveyed in
his letter of acceptance in mitigation or
modification of the platform, there can
be no doubt as TO the Presidents positio
at this time upon this essential principle
OF free raw materials Let me read from
that remarkable letter of the Presidents
which was submitted to the House of
Representatives. 1t expresses better than
can hope to do the true, sound, and logi-
cal position of the Democratic party upon
this question: Mr.. Hill herequoted from
the Presidents letter that part which
says: "One topic will be submitted to
the conference which embodies demo-
cratic principle so that it cannot be com
promised. We have in our platform and
in every way possible declared in favor of
the free importation of raw materials.
We have again and again promised that
tins should be accorded to our people and
our manufacturers as soon as the Demo-
cratic party was invested with the power
to determine the tariff policy of the
country. The party has now that power.
we are as certain to-day as we ever have
been of the great benefit that would ac-
crue to the country from the Inaugural
tion of this policy, and nothing has oc-
CURED to release US from our obligation
to secure this advantage to our people.
1t must be admitted that no tariff
measure can accord with demo
cratic principles and promises. or
bear genuine democratic badge, that
does not provide for free raw material.
In The circumstances it may well excite
our wonder that democrats are willing to
depart from this, the most democratic of
all tariff principles. and that the incon-
sistent absurdity of such a proposed de-
parture should be emphasized by the sug-
gestion 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 capital
lists. How can we face the people after
1ndulging in such outrageous discrimina-
uons and violations of principlel 1t is
apparent that this question of free raw
material does not admit 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"
Mr.. Hill then proceeded: "Mr Presi-
dent, ] approve every word l have here
quoted. 1t is an honest and manly state
ment of the true attitude which the party
should assume in this crisis.
81 am not required to defend the pro-
priety or wisdom of the promulgation of
this letter at this peculiar time. 1t may
have been indiscreet, it may act as fire.
brand to spread the flames of discord al
ready kindled among party friends, hon
estly differing, as | am disposed to con-
cede upon questions of public and party
policy. 1t may widen the breach already
existing in this Senate, and In that
view, it may be regarded as unfortunate
and ill-advised. 1t was time for
diplomacy, craftsmanship and concilia-
tion, rather than recriminations de-
nunciation and arraignment. But aside
from the question of its expediency, | am
here to defend the Presidents letter in
so far as it demands that the party shall
not be led astray into the violation
of democratic pledges and principles
Upon the question of free raw mate
rials the President is right, and YOU
know it. You cannot answer his argu-
ments. You cannot successfully dispute
his propositions. You cannot doubt his
sincerity and patriotism You must yield
to his views. You cannot stand up against
the sentiment of the democratic masses
of the country which will rally around
the President in his contest with YOU
upon this particular brahch of the
subject.
"The time to yield is now, before there
is further humiliation, embarrassment
and discord.".
THE CONDITION.
Having disposed of the theory Mr..
Hill proceeded to discuss the condition
which now confronts the party, which he
characterized as one of extreme EN- bar
rassment to the party. He held that the
Presidents letter clearly foreshadowed a
vote on the Senate bill, and he added that
the President is right, there is no middle
ground. He then proceeded: "If the
President in his wisdom had seen fit,
while the bill was progressing in
the Senate, to have aided my efforts
to secure adhesion to this princi-
pie by expressing his views in favor
thereof in some proper and legitimate
way, l should have been gratihed, and it
unquestionably would have been of prac-
tical benefit to the cause. / rejoice that
he has expressed them even now, al
though | am not required to defend the
manner and form of their presentation,
even if they required defense, which l do
not assume.
II respectfully differ from the Presi-
dent in his assumption that tax upon
sugar is necessary at this time, conceding
for the purposes of argument, that an in
come tax is to be retained. Clearly both
are not needed for any legitimate pur-
poses of the treasury. That fact has been
demonstrated over and over again during
this debate. The President speaks of the
democratic principle ana policy which
lead to the taxation of sugar He asserts
that in the taxation of sugar we are in
no danger of running counter to demo
cratic principle
THE PRESIDENT TARDY.
II am not controverting that idea, but
desire only to suggest that it was desir-
a BILE that sugar should be taxed as a
legitimate and logical article of revenue
taxation. as he now says,i IL seems strange
that the President did not in his last an
nual message make some intimation, sug-
gesUion or recommendation to that effect
Not a word Of that kind appears.
He indorsed the Wilson bill explicitly
in his message although it provided sub
stantially for free raw sugar. He per-
mitted the House to pass that measure
without word of protest, suggestion or
advice that there would be tax on sugar,
which has come to be largely regarded as