The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-19
WAsHrNsTuN. ID. G.. July ,, 1894.


To HOu. w. L Wilson
NV Dear >ir.=The certainty that con-
ference will be ordered between the two
houses of congress for the purpose Of ad-
justing differences on the subject Of
tariff legislation makes it also certain
that you Will be again called upon to do
hard service in the cause of tariff reform.
bly public life has been so closely re-
lated to the subject, have SO lOnged for
its accom- mplishment and have SO often
promised its realization to my fellow coun-
trymen as result of their trust and con-
hdence Ia the Democratic party, hope
no excuse is necessary for my earnest
appeal to you that in this crisis you
strenuously insist upon party honesty
and good faith and a sturdy adherence 10
Democratic principles. l believe these
are absolutely necessary conditions to the
continuation OF Democratic existence
l cannot rid myself of the feeling that
this conference will present the best. if
not the only true hope of Democracy.
Indications point TO its action the
reliance Of those who desire the genuine
fruition of Democratic effort, the fulfill
ment Of Democratic pledges and the re-
demption of Democratic promises to the
people
To reconcile differences in the details
comprised within the fixed and well de-
fined lines of principle, will not be the
sole task of the conference, but as it
seems 10 me, its members who also have
cratic principles themselves are to be
saved or abandoned.
There was no excuse for mistaking or
misapprehending the feeling and tenn
per Of the rank and file of the Democra-
cy. They are downcast under the feel
ing that their party fails in ability TO
manage the government and that they
are apprehensive that efforts to bring
about a tariff reform may fail; but they
are much more downcast and apprehen-
sive in their fear that Democratic prin-
ciples may be surrendered
In these necessary circumstances they
cannot do otherwise than to look with
confidence to you, and those who with you
have patriotically and sincerely cham
pioned the cause of tariff reform within
Democratic lines and guided by those
principles. This confidence il vastly
augmented by the action under your lead
ership of the house of representatives
upon the bill now pending
Every true Democrat and every sin
cere tariff reformer knows that this bill
il its platform and as it will be submitted
70 the conference falls far short of the
contamination for which we have long
labOred. for which we have suffered de-
feat without dlscouragement; which in
its anticipation gave US rallying cry in
our day of triumph and which in its
promise Of accomplishments is so inter-
woven with Democratic pledges and
Democratic successes that our abandon
ment of the cause or the principles upon
which it rests means party perfdy and
party dishonOr.
One topic viii be submitted to the con-
ference which embodies Democratic
principle; it cannot be compromised
We have in our platforms and in every
way possible declared IN favor Of the free
importation Of raw materials. We have
again aud again promised that this
should be accorded to our people and
our manufacturers, as soon as the Demo
cratic party was invested with the power
10 determine the tariff policy of the
country. The party has now that power
We are as certain to be held respOnsi-
BILE, as we have ever been, for the benefit
that would accrue to the country from
the inauguration. of this policy, and
nothing has occurred to release us from
our obligations TO secure this advantage
to our peo-as-~-. II must be admitted that
no tariff measGrb can accord with Demo
cratic principles and promise or bear a
genuine Democratic badge that does not
provide for free raw materials.
In these circumstances it may we'll ex-
cite our wonder that Democrats are will
ing TO depart from this, the most Demo
cratic of all tariff principles, and that
the inconsistent absurdity Of such pro
posed departure should be emphasized
by the suggestion that the wool Of the
farmer be put on the FREE list and the
protection Of the tariff taxation be placed
around the iron ore and corporations and
capitalists. How can we face the people
after indulgIng in such outrageous dis
ordinations and violations Of principle ?
Il is quite apparent that this question
of free raw material does not admit or
adjustment on any middle ground, since
their subjecting to any rate of tariff tax
alton. great or small, is alike violative of
Democratic principles and Democratic
good faith
hope that you will not consider it in
trusive If I say something in relation to
another subject which can hardly