The National tribune., 1894-07-26

task of the conference; but It seems to me its
| members will also have in charge the question
| whether Democratic principles themselves are to
be saved or abandoned.
There is no excuse for mistaking or misappre-
hending the feeling and temper of the rank and
| file of the Democracy. They are downcast under
the assertion that their party fails in ability to
| manage the Government and they are apprehen-
sive that efforts TO bring about tariff reform may
| fail; but they are much more downcsst and appre-
hensive in their fear that Democratic principles
| may be surrendered.
| In these 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, aud guided by Democratic principles. This
confidence is vastly augmented by the action under
your 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 present form,
and as it will be submitted to the conference falls
/ far short OF the consummation for which We have
! long labored, for which we have suffered defeat
without encouragement; which in its anticipation
gave us a rallying cry in our day OF triumph, ana
which, in its promise of accomplishment Is so In
| terwoven with Democratic pledges and Democratic
success, that our abandonment OF the cause or the
principles upon which it rests. means psrtS perfidy
and party dishonor.
One topic will be submitted to the conference
which embodies Democratic principle so directly
that 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 and again promised that this should be
accorded to our people and our manufacturers as
the power to determine the tariff policy OF the
country.
The party now has that power. We GER
tain to-day have ever been of the great bene-
ut that would accrue to the country from the in
auguration of this policy and nothing has occurred
to release us from obligation TO secure this ad
vantage TO our people. 1t must be admitted that
no tariff measure can accord with Democratic prin
cipes and promises or bear a genuine Democratic
badge, that does not provide for free materials.
In these circumstances il may well excite won
der that Democrats willing to depart from this
the most Democratic of all tariff principles, and
that the inconsisIent absurdity of such 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 can we face the people after in
dulging in such outrageous Determinations and
violations OF principle?
1t quite apparent that this question Of free raw
materials does not admit of adjustment on any
middle ground, since their subjecon to any rate of
tarih taxation great small is alike violative OF
Democratic principle and Democratic good faith.
hope you will not consider it intrusive if say
something in relation to another subject which can
hardly fail to be troublesome to the conference.
refer TO the adjustment of tariff taxation sugar.
Under our party platform and In accordance with
our declared party purposes, sugar is legitimate
and logical article of revenue taxation. Unfor-
tunately, however, incidents have accompanied
certain stages of the legislation which will be sub
mltted TO the conference that have aroused in con-
nection with this subject natural Democratic
animosity to the methods and manipulations Of
trusts and combinations.
confess to sharing in this feeling; and yet IL
seems TO me we ought. if possible to sufficiently
free ourselves from prejudice to enable cooly to
weigh the considerations which, In formulating
tariff legislation, ought to guide treatment of
sugar taxable article. While tenderness
should be entertained for trusts and while / am
decidedly opposed to granting them, under the
guise OF tariff taxation any opportunity to further
their peculiar methods, / suggest that we ought
not to be driven away from the Democratic prin-
ciple and policy which lead TO the taxation of sugar
by the fear quite likely exaggerated that in carry
ing out this principle and policy may indirectly
and inordinaely encourage a combination of sugar
refining interests. know that in present condi-
tons this is delicate subject, and appreciate the
depth and strength of the feeling which its
ment has aroused.
do not believe we should do evil that good may |
come, but ii seems to me that should not forget
that our aim is the completion of a tariff bill, |
and that In taxing sugar for proper purposes and
within reasonable bounds whatever else may be /
said of our action, we are in no danger of running
counter TO Democratic principle With all there is |
at stake there must be in the treatment of this |
article some ground upon which ali willing |
10 stand where toleration and conciliation may be
allowed to solve the problem without demanding |
the entire surrender of fixed and conscientious |
convictions.
ought not to prolong this letter. If what have
written is unwelcome beg you to believe in my |
good intentions.
In the conclusions of the conference touching |
the numerous items which will be considered, the |
neglected. They know that the general result, so |
far as these are concerned will be to place home |
necessaries and comforts easier within their REACH
and to insure better and surer compensation to |
those who toll.
We all know that a tariff covering all the varied |
interests and con dions of country ours,
must of necessity be largely the result of honor |
able adjustment and compromise. i expect very |
few of US can cay when our measure is perfected |
that all the features are entirely would pre- |
fer You know how much deprecated the incor- |
poration in the proposed bill of the income-tax |
feature. In matters of this kind however which |
do not violate fixed and recognized Democratic |
doctrine we are willing to defer 10 the judgment |
of a msjority OF our Democratic brethren. Think |
there is a general agreement that this is party |
duty.
This lie more palpably apparent when realize /
that the business of our country timidly stands |
and watches for the result of efforts to perfect
tariff legislation; that quick and certain return |
OF prosperity awaits upon a wise adjustment, and |
that confding people still trust in our hands /
their prosperity and well-being
The Democracy Of the land plead most ear
nestly for the speedy completion of the tariff |
legislation which their Representatives have UNDER
taken, but they demand not less earnestly that |
stress of necessity shall tempt those they trust to
the abandonment OF Democratic principle.
Yours, very truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.
Hon. WILLIAM L. WILSON.