The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1894-07-26
TARIFF REFORM
Democracy on Trial For is Life In the
Tariff Conference,
President Cleveland's Letter to
Congressman Wilson.

WASHINGTON, July 49, The follow
ing is President Cleveland's letter to
Representative Wilson upon the tariff
situation, which Mr.. Wilson read as a
part of his remarks in the House this
afternoon;
Executive Mansion,
Washington, July 2, 1894.
PERSONALLY
To Hon. William L, Wilson:
My Dear Sir; The certainty that
conference will be ordered between
the two houses of Congress for the
purpose Of adjusting differences on the
subject OF the tariff legislation makes
it also certain that you will be again
called on TO do hard service in the
cause Of tariff RI flrm,
NJ, Pubic life has been so closely
related to the subject, / have so long.
ed for its accomplishment, and l have
so often promised its realization TO my
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 a sturdy adherence to Democratic
principles.
/ believe these absolutely necessary
conditions TO the continuation OF
Democratic existence.
l can not rid myself of the feeling
that this conference will present the
best if not the only hope of true Demo-
cracy.
Indications point to its action as the
reliance Of those who desire the
genuine iruition Of Democratic effort,
the fulfilment Of Democratic pledges,
and the redemption of Democratic
promises TO the people. To reconcile
differences in the details comprised
within the fixed and well defined
lines OF principle viii not be the sole
task OF the conference, but, as it seems
to me, its members will also have in
charge the question whether Demo
cratic principles themselves are to be
saved or abandoned.
There is no excuse for mistaking Oh
misapprehending the feeling and the
temper of the rank and file OF The
Democracy. They are downcast urdel
the assertion that their party fails il
ability to manage the Government
and they are appreher sive that effort
to bring about tariff e,orm may fail
but thev are much more downcas
and apprehensive in their fear tina
Democratic principles may be SUI
rendered.
In these circumstances they ca
not do otherwise than look with conf
dence to you and th )se who, with you
have patriotically and sincerel
championed the cause OF tariff reform
within Democratic lines, and guide'
by Democratic principles. This conf
; dence is vastly augmented by the az
: tion, under your leadership, OF tn
House Of Representatives upon tn
bill now pending.
Every true Democrat and every sir
cere tariff reformer knows that thi
bill in its present form and as it vi
be submitted to the conference fall
far short of the contamination fc
: which we have long labored, for whic
we have suffered defeat without di
couragement; which, in its anticipl
: ton, gave US rallying cry in our da
OF triumph, and which, in its promis
Of accomplishment, is SO interwove
with Democratic pledges and Dem,
: cratic success that our abandonmer
OF the cause or the principles upo
which it rests means party perfdy an
party dishonor.
One topic will be submitted to I'll
II conference which embodies Dem
II cratic principle 50 directly that it ca
d not be compromised. We have in OF
g platform and in every way possible d
y clared in favor Of the free importatic
OF raw materials
We have again and again promise
that this should be accorded to o.
70 people and our manufacturers as sot
D. as the Democratic Party was invest'
a with the power to determine the tar
IF policy Of the country.
ii The party now has that power. '
y are as certain to day as we have ey
It. been of the great benefit that wou
d accrue to the c,,untry from the
auguration Of this policy. and nothi
T. has occurred to release us from 0
obligation to secure THE advantage
our people.
1t must be admitted that no tai
W. measure can accord with Democra
principles and promises or bear
Y. genuine Democratic badge that d.
not provide for free raw material.
In the circumstances it may "
excite our wonder that Democrats
d. willing to depart from this, the m
Democratic Of all sariff principles, .
n that the inconsistent absurdity Of 81
a. proposed departure should
emphasized by the suggestion t
u the wool of the farmer be put on
Al II a.