Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1894-07-26
THE PRESIDENTS VIEWS.
His Letter to Chairman Wilson
Regarding the Tariff Bill

His Letter to Chairman Wilson
Regarding the Tariff Bill
WASHINGTON July 19.-The
following is President Cleve-
lands letter to Representative
Wilson, upon the tariff situation,
which Mr.. Wilson read as a part
of his remarks in the House this
afternoon:
''EXECUTIvE MANSION
WASHINGTON, July 1884. {
"Hon. William L. Wilson:
MY DEAR SIR The certainty
that conference will be ordered
between the two houses of Con
gress, for the purpose of adjust
ing differences on the subject Of
tariff legislation, makes it also
certain that you will be again
called on to do hard service in
the cause of tariff reform.
my public life has been SO
closely related to the subject, ]
have so longed for it's accom-
plishment, and [ have so often
promised it's realization to my fel-
low countrymen as result OF
their trust and confidence in the
Democratic party, that l 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 to
Democratic principles. | believe
| these absolutely necessary con
ditions to the continuation OF
Democratic existence.
Il cannot rid myself of the
feeling that this conference
will present the best, if not the
only hope Of true Democracy.
Indications point to it's action as
the reliance Of those who desire
the genuine fruition of Demo
cratic effort, the fulfillment Oh
democratic pledges ard the re
demption of Democratic prom
ises to the people. 70 reconcile
differences in the details com
prised within the fixed and wei
defined lines of principles viii
not be the sole task of the con
ference, but, as it seems to me
it's members will also have il
charge the question whether
Democratic principles them
selves are to be saved or aban
dOned.
''There is no excuse for mis-
taking or apprehending the feel
ing or temper of the rank ant
file of the Democracy. They are
downcast under the assertion
that their party fails in ability tt
manage the Government, ane
they are apprehensive that eff
forts to bring about tariff reform
may fail; but they are mucl
more downcast and apprehensivt
in their fear that Democratic
principles may be surrendered
In these circumstances they
cannot do otherwise than lool
with confidence to you and t.
those who with you have patri
otically and sincerely championet
the cause of tariff reform within
Democratic principles. The con
fdence is vastly augmented b,
the action under your Leadership
of the House of Representative
upon the bill now pending.
Every true Democrat ane
every sincere tariff refOrme
knows that this bill, in it's pres
ent form as it will be submittet
to the conference, falls far shor
: of the consummation for which
} we have long labored, for which
) we have suffered defeat withou
Encouragement, which, in it's an
: ticipation, gave us rallying CT,
in our day of triumph, and which
in it's promise of accomplish
. ment, is so interviewer will
Democratic pledges and Demo
; cratic success, that our abandon
t ment of the cause or TIE princi
pies upon which it rests, mean
party perfidy and party dis
honor.
One topic will be submitted t.
, the conference which embodie
Democratic principles so directl..
} that it cannot be compromised
We have in our platforms and i
+ every way possible declared il
a favor of the free importation @
9 raw materials. We have agai
and again promised that thi
: should be accorded to our peop.
t and our manufacturers as soon a
S the Democratic party was il
e vested with the power to detel
d mine the tariff policy of tt
a country. The party now b.
S that power. We are as certai
y to-day as we have ever been {
It the great benefit that woul
It accrue to the country from tE
d inauguration>of this policy, an
t nothing has occurred to releas
# us from our obligation 20 secLl
d this advantage to our people.
g must be admitted that no tari
+ measure can accord with Dem
y cratic principles and promise
o or bear a genuine Democrat
badge, that does not provide fl
. free raw material.
Under these circumstances
may we'll excite our wonder tn