The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-07-21

material, which If the Democrats should
attain tho power, he exceeded his power
and miainterpreted our position.
at 10 said by somo In Justification, or
excuse for their present actEou, that the
PreGidenes letter Of acceptance in 1892
modified the extreme demands Of our
platform.
TIE PREsiDESr's POSITION.
1t 10 true that some portion Of this
lotter may tend to bear that construc-
tion. It was not bold, ringing and ex.
pliclt declaration In favor OF tho plat
form which his party had right to OK.
pect, but was regarded by many as
tilnld. cautious aud conservative; but
whether this criticism 10, or is not well
founded, tho fact remains that he had
no authority TO change or alter ono line,
or sentence, or provision OF tho national
platform, which had boon deliberately
adopted in national convention duly a5-
sembled. No president eau bo above
his party; no president can dictate TO
bis party; no president can change his
party platform.
But no matter what idea 1t may be
claimed was intended to be conveyed in
his letter Of acceptance in mitigation or
modification of tho platform thore can
be no doubt as TO tho Presidonts POSI-.
tion At this time upon this essential
principle OF free raw materials. Lot mo
read from chat remarkable lottoE oil the
Presidents which was yesterday sub
mitted to tho house OF Representatives.
It expresses better than can hopc to
do tho true and sound logical position
Of tho Democratic party upon this ques'
tiUn.
cLEvELAED's LETTER.
After reading extracts from this let
tor Mr.. Hill went on as follows: "NIr.
President, approve every word that l
have quoted. 1t is an honest and man.
~ statement OF the truo attitude which
tho party should assume in this crisis.
l am not required to defend tho pro-
priety or wisdom Of the PRONUNCIATION
Of this lotter at this peculiar time. It
may have boon indiscreet: 1t may oper.
ato as a firObrand to spread the flames OF
discord already kindled among party
friends honestly differing, as l am dis
posed to concede, upon questions OF pub
lie and party policy. Il may widen the
breach already existing In this senate
and in that view II may be regarded as
unfortunate and Ill advised. It was q
time for diplomacy, craftsmanship and
conciliation rather than recommenda.
tion, denunciation and arraignment.
But asido from tho question Of its mere
oxpedicncy l am hero to defend the
Presidents letter in go far that 1t do.
munds that tho party may not bc led
nstray in tho violation Of Democratic
pledges and principles.
DEFENDS THE PRESIDENT.
Upon tho question Of free raw mato-
rials tho President Is right, and you
knowit. You cannot answer his argu-
ments. You cannot successfully dis.
pute his propositions. You cannot
doubt his sincerity and patriotism.
You must yield in tho ond to bis vtoWs.
You cannot stand up against tho sentt-
ments OF tho great Democratic musses
OF the country which will rally around
tho President in his contest with you
upon this particular branch OF the sub
ioct. The time to yield is now before
there Is further humiliation, cmbar'
rassment and discord. Mr.. President,
having demonstrated that the true
Democratic theory OF revcnue reform
requires that free raw material should
be it's distinguishing feature, let US next
INQUIRE what Is tho condition which
now confronta us.
Tho bill which has been passed. vio-
lates this Democratic theory, aud, while
it reduces the duties on iron, coal. lead
and come other raw materials from
those imposed under tho Mckinley
law, and In that respect is commend
able, it nevertheless imposes some
dutics thereon, and thcroby fails to re-
deem our pledges. 1t is not a question
Of tho amount OF duties which may be-
imposed. a question OF principle IS
involved, and single pcnny's duty
violates our promises aud places us In
false position. As tho President well
saws. there can be no comprom!sc on
matter OF this character wherc O vital
principle is at stake.
A CONDITION OF EMBARRASSMENT.
Tho house OF representatives, fresh
from the people, which represents moro
distinctly and pecuniarily than We 40
tho taxing power ot tho pooplo, repuul'
stes cur Bill and Democratic President
has cmnhasized that reputation, and
the condition which Contronts US is ono
OF extreme embarrassment. Shall We rre-
trcat or advance? Shall wo surrender
TO tho house whilo We can do go honor
ably, or shall wo wait until "e arc
driven to it?
In tho light OF tho letter from tho
President tho house cannot houorably
rotract 1t has no other alternative eS.
cont 10 insist upon tho bill wherein 1t
nroyidcs Tor Tree raw materials. Ihe
Prosjdout cannot approve tho senate
b;ll aftor what he has said in this re'
markablo letter. ,.,
He arraigns the senate and inttm9t9S
that tho enactment OF tho senate pill
means party portldy and party DIS
honor" @ Those arc strong words which
tho President OF tho United states
would not usc towards measure
which hc ever expected afterwards to
Thg iotter, unusual and upproccdGnt.
cd in its character and method oil pro-
mitigation though 1t may DO, neVertlio'
loss clearly foroshaiows II veto Of the
senate bill, oven il the house should
finally concur In our Mnendmnnte9.
What porson would expect tho Presl'
don't TO approve tho senate bill after ita
vigorous and scathing donunciation con-