The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-21
MIR. CLEVELAND'S LETTER.

The Times abhors the whole doctrine o
u protective tariff The very idea OF
fsvoritism enacted into law is repugnanf
10 the essential principle of a Govern
ment based on the equality of all men
before the law.
The party which stands out for effec-
lively securing to all our citizens equality
before the law is the Democratic party.
and however that party may be betrayed
or perverted the principles are immortal
and its very name will survive as watch
word OF patriots who would scorn TO have
the ill-gotten gains wrung from their fell
Tow citizens under laws enacted by
bribery and corruption.
However Mr.. Cleveland may be de-
nounced, the verdict Of the American
people is that he is honest and brave,
and many believe him to be not only
successful politician. but a profound
statesman. When, therefore. he adopts
a course which is against the traditions
Of his office and communicates in an
indirect way with Congress at a great
crisis in its deliberations, he must have
had good reasons for authorizing Mr..
Wilson to lay his letter on the tariff bill
before the House OF Representatives.
We do not think from what we have
seen that this letter was judicious, or thai
Il will help the enactment of a tariff
bill.
We do not agree to the proposition that
''it must be admitted that no tariff meas
ure can accord with Democratic princi-
Piles or promises or bear a genuine Demo-
cratic badge that does not provide for
free raw material"
Whatever may be said in favor OF the
admission of some raw materials free
there are others which appeal as loudlv
for a part Of that consideration so freely
conceded to our manufacturers as cotton
or wooden fabrics, cuffs or collars. steel
rails or sugar.
The proposition TO help out the New
England manufacturer at the expense of
the coal producers Of the Middle States
has created a deeper sense Of Injustice
than the proposition to put wool on the
free list.
1t Is a contested question whether free
wool would not at once benefit the manu-
facturer and the American wool grower
by the permission OF mixtures of material
which would increase the demand for
our home woods and enlarge the market
or the manufacturers. But there is no |
question that the removal Of the tariff /
on coal would at once cut off source of
revenue 10 the Government and reduce
The price 10 the coal miner without any
equivalent whatever to either.
we DO not feel. therefore In accord
WIN Mr.. Cleveland when he denounces
Tree wool and a tariff on iron and coal
@s an Inconsistent absurdity. Believing as
We DO that the nearer We can annroach 90
absolute free trade the purer viii be our
government and the greater and moro
prosperous Will be our people. we Womb
sun face the people after inonle,pg ~
inns outrageous discrimination. az Mr.
Cleveland calls IT. -'''
NO greater misfortune can befau mo
democratic party than its failure 20 nae
"rin Dill. Well may Mr. Cleyeland|,,a
10 not speak Of him as the pres,oa,,
because Tor this occasion he is No, 80
.ae as president. but as the leader =,
'ne democratic party-say of tho -,
s'"vy' Ihey are downcast under tne a.
Se''ioh mat their party fails IN ah,,,,,. -,
manage this Government" ~
ihey are downcast. and they win 10 -.
Jerry demoralized. unless their renresan
tau'es perform the great func,,on ~
which they were elected. A0'
DID anybody expect that a ,a,,, -