Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-07-24
President CheVeland's Letter
TO MIR. Wilson.

lllkNEG Vi Aut AAOuEG VI
ciaring against any surrender on the tariff to
the Senate .eon servativcs." aud read in the
House to-day at the request ofthc recipient:
E1ecutiuc Mansion, Washington, July 2. 1891
-TPerson.l Ito Hon. William l.. wilson,
Nv Dear Sir: The certainty that a conference
viii be ordered between the two houscs of
Congress for the purpose of adjusting differ
enccs ON the subject of tariff legislation makes
1t also certain that You viii be again called on
to do hard service in the cause of tariff reform.
Ny public life has been so closely related to
the subject. have so longed for It's accom-
plishment. and have so often promised tie
realization 10 my fcllow-countrymcD us re-
suit of their trust and confidence In the DEM
ocratic party that hope NO excuse is ncces-
sary for my earnest appeal to you that i'm this
crisis you strcnuously insistupon party honesty
and good faith aud sturdy adherence to
Democratic principles. believe these are
absolutely necessary conditions to the contin
uation of Democratic existence.
cannot rid myself of the feeling that this
conferences will present the best. II not the
only hope of true Democracy. Indications
point to its action as the reliance of those
who desire the genuine fruition of Demo-
crutic effort, the fulfll,nent of Democratic
pledges aud tho redemption of Democratic
promises to the people. To reconcile differ
enees in the details comprised within the fixed
and well-deGned lines of principle will not be
the sole task of the conference; but, as it
seems to me, it's members will nISo have in
charge the question whether Democratic
principles themselves are to be saved or
abandoned.
There is no.excuse for mistaking or misap-
pretending the feeling aud the temper of the
rank and file of the Democracy. They are
downeast under the assertion that their party
fails In ability to manage the government,
and they arc apprebensivc that efforts to bring
about tariff reform may fail; but they are
much more downcast and apprchensiye in
their fear that Democratic principle may be
surrendered.
IN these circumstances they cannot do other
wise than to look with confidence to you and
those who with you have patrlotically and
sincerely cllampioned the cause of tariff re-
form within Democratic lines and guided by
Democratic principles. TEis confidence is
vastly augmen ted by the action under ynrr
Leadership of the House of Representatives
upon the bill now pending.
Every true Democrat and every sincere
tariff reformer knows that this bill in its pre-
sent form aud as it will be submitted TO the
conference falls far short of the consumma.
ton for which We have long laborcd, for
which VIC have suffered defeat without dis
couTagcment; which in its anticipation gave
| US rallFtng cry in our dsY of triumph, and
which in lis promise Of accomplishment ia so
intpFNvnvnfa Will \
Democratic succcss that our abandonment Of
the cause or the principles upon which It rests
means party perfdy and party dishonoy.
Ono topic will he submitted to tho confer
cnce which embOdies Democratic principle so
directly that it cannot be compounded. we
Lave in our platforms aud in every way nos.
sibic declared in favor of the free Importation
of raw materials. we have aguin and again
promised that this Should be accorded to our
people and our manufacturers as Fona rs the
Democratic party was invested with the power
to determine the tariff policy of the country.
Tie party now has the power. We arc as
certain to-day as we have ever been of the
great benefit that would accrue to tile coun
Try from the inauguration Of this policy, and
morning las occurred 10 release us from our
| obligations to secure this advantage to onr
people. 1t must he admitted that uo-r.,rIT
measure can accord with Democratic princi-
pies aud promises or bear genuine Demo-
cratic badge that does not provide for free
raw materials
In these circumstances it may well excite
our wonder that Democrats are willing to de-
part from this the most DemOcr tic of all tar
Ill principles, and that the inconsistent alb
surdity of suHh a proposed departure should
be emphasized by the suggestion 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 capitalists, How eau we face the people
after indulging in such Outrageous discrimiua-
lions and violations Of principles
1t is quito apparent that this question of free
raw materials does not admit of adjustment
on ans middle ground, since their subsection
to any rate of tariff taxation. great or small.
is alike violativc of Democratic PRINCIPLE and
Democratic good faith.
hope that you will not consider it in.
trusivc If I say something in relation 20
unother subject which can hardly fail to be
troublesome to the conference. refer to the
adjustment of tariff taxation on sugar.
Under our party platforms, ana Iu accord.
anee with our declared party purposes, sugur
is legitimate and logical article of revenue
taxation. Unfortunately, however. incidents
have accompanied certain stages of the Ic.is-
lation which will be submitted to the confer
cnce that have aroused in connection with
this subject natural Democrutic animosity
to the methods aud mauIpuIatious of trusts
and combinations. confess to sharing in
this feeling and yet it seems 20 me we ought.
II possible, to sufficiently free ours elves from
prejudice to enable us coolIy to weigh the
consideration which in formulating tariff
legislation ought to guide our treatment OF
sugar as u taxable article.
While no tenderness should be entertained
Tor Trusts. and while am decidedly opnosed
to granting them, under the guisc of tariff
taxation, any opportunity to further their
peculiar methods, suggest that we ought
not to be driven away from the Democratic
principle and policy which lead to tile taxa
ton of sugar by the fear. quito likely exap
gerated, that in carrying out this princiDIe
and policy we may indirectly and TnordIiateIy
encourage a condition of sugar refining in
teFcsts. / know that in present conditions
this is delicate subject, aud appreciate the
depth and strength of the feeling which its
treatmnn has aroused. / do not believe we
should do evil that good may come. but II
seems TO me that we should not forget that
our aim is the completion of tariff bill. and
that in taxing sugar for proper purposes