The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-29
THE LONDON BANQUET 10 NIX.
WILSON.

THE LONDON BANQUET 10 MIR.
WILSON.
The chairman OF the meeting OF the
Chamber OF Commerce Of London Whlch
banoueted Mr. William H. Wilson Thurs
day night, said in his speech that "heh
visiting the United States, he had won
dered that. with the advanced IDEAS OF
the Americans. they had so long t"ler-
ated a high tariff. 1t must strike an
intelligent stranger visiting us as q most
remarkable fact that sixty millions OF
our people deliberately consent TO pay
taxes to some five millions. He must
be astounded when told that every man
paws something like third more than
they ought 10 cost for his hats. his shoes,
his clothes generally. and for everything
that he buys, in order that a small frac-
ton Of the population may live in luxury
while the great mass toll on for hard
earned living. II is the political phe-
nomenon Of the age In countries govern
ed by absolute rulers such a condition Is
to be expected. But here the people gov
ern themselves. They can make their
laws what they please. Nevertheless,
they allow political mountebanks like Nc
Kinley Harrison, Reed & Co TO per
suade them that they are improving
themselves and getting rich by paying
s. for a $3.50 hat and so for a sl5 suit of
clothes. Was II altogether cynicism when
Thomas Carlyle said that England con-
tanned seventeen millions of people. most
of whom were fools?
Mr.. Wilson's response was what was
co a cd 1u.l. the h1up-
fits OF free trade, but a free trade in such
articles as his judgment, or some other
persons Judgment might determine would
be for the best interests of the people.
Instead of declaring for the freest trade
that is possible compatible with such
taxes on imports as the necessities Of
the Government require ii 10 impose, and
distributed ratably over all imports so
that ali men should bear their equal
proportion OF the burdens of Government,
he declares for policy which will allow
him or some other enlightened statesman
to paternally take care of n weakling
people and foster those OF their indus
tries that IL VIII be most to their inter
ests To foster. while he burdens those of
their interests that his humors and whims
lead him TO impose burdens on. In other
words. he plants himself upon Mckinieys
platform TO abuse Mckinley. Is it a fact
that the Democratic party is going to
allow itself TO be dragged into Republi-
canism by this weak. illogical cry for
free raw materials" Democracy is
built upon the cornerstone that the laws
shall bear equally upon all and show
favoritisms TO absolutely none. There is
no Democracy when that principle Is de-
parted from. Ii must be adhered to lit
orally and exactly. or Democracy repu-
dates the transaction and disowns those
engaged in it, Since Senator Hill has as
sumed his present prominence IL looks as
though the undemocratic idea would be
forced down the national Democratic
throat But IL is not Democracy, all the
same. and those who endorse and back II
will simply wander off into Republican
ranks. 1t is Repubhcanism not Democ-
racy.
The remark we made concerning Chief
Justice Marshall a few days back. that
ne was essentially Democrat, has
very much astonished number OF peo-
pie. yet II Is perfectly true To appre-
ciate II a brief review of parties In the
United States must be made When our
Constitution was framed the identical
ideas which now separate parties in this
country separated them then. They
were called by different names. but the
ideas were the same. Alexander Hamn-
ton led one section, while men like
Jefferson. Washington. Madison Marshall
led the other. Hamilton was at heart a
10
ment should superintend the people. and
by its legislative acts distribute bene-
FITS TO some and impose disabilities on
others. He thought that the public good
emanated from Government to the peo-
pie as light and heat emanate from the
Sun. His school was the Republicans OF
to-day. who believe in identically that
idea
The opposing school. led by men like
those we have named, believed that Gov
eminent emanated from the people and
should have no existence at all. except
In the limited sphere marked out for It
by the people. They believed in the
equality OF all men before the laws. and
therefore that the laws should have no
favorites at all. but should bear in exact
ly the same way upon all citizens. the
humblest and the proudest. the poorest
and the rich. They were the true Demo
Gratis OF that day and those like them are
the true Democrats OF this day.
They had conferred by the Constitu-
ton they framed upon the central Gov.
eminent those powers which they
thought the Government should have to
secure all the people in their right to
that perfect freedom In life which is
liberty regulated by law. and they IN
sisted that that Constitution should be
respected and observed Just as they had
framed II. Another set OF men came
forward and insisted that the Constitu-
ton should be pinched and impaired I'M
~ tAs Government was unable to fulnl