The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1896-08-20

sues presented by the platform. 1t is fitting
however, that at this time. In the presence o
those here assembled, l speak at some lengtl
In regard TO the campaign upon which w
are now entering. We do not underestimat
the forces arrayed against us, neither are w
unmindful Of the Importance of the strugg
In which we are engaged; but, relying 10
success upon the Righteousness of our cause
we shall defend with all possible vigor th
positions taken by our party. We are no
surprised that some Of our opponents. In th'
absence of better argument, resort to abus
I've epithets. but they may rest assured tina
no language, however violent, no inyectives
however vehement, will lead us to depart |
single hairs breadth from the course marked
out by the National Convention. The citi
zen, either public or private, who assails thu
character and questions the patriotism o.
the delegates assembled In the Chicago con
vention, assails the character and question:
the patriotism of the millions Who have ar
rayed themselves under the banners there
raised.
1t has been charged by men standing higl
In business md political circles that on
platform Is n menace to private security anC
public safety; and 1t has been asserted thai
those whom | have the honor. for the time
being, to represent, not only mediate al
attack upon the rights of property, but are
the foes of social order and national honor
Those who stand upon the Chicago platform
are prepared to make known and to defend
every motion which influences them, every
purpose which amin ties them and ever!
hope which inspires them. They understand
the genius Of our institutions; they are
stanch supporters of the form Of government
under which We live, and they build theil
faith upon foundations laid by the fathers
Andrew Jackson has stated with admirable
clearness and with an emphasis which can
not be surpassed both the duty and the
sphere of government. He said: "Distinc.
tions in society will always exist under
every just government. Equality Of talents,
of education or of wealth cannot be produced
by human institutions. In the full enjoy.
ment of the gifts Of heaven and the fruits OF
superior industry, economy and virtue, every
man Is equally entitled to protection by
law" We yield to none In our devotion to
the doctrine just enunclated.
Object OF the Campaign.
Our campaign has not for Its object the
recontruction Of society. We do not propose
to transfer the rewards of Industry to the
lap Of Incidence. Property is and will remain
the stimulus TO endeavor and the compensa-
ton for toll. We believe, as asserted In the
declaration of independence, that all men
are created equal; but that does not mean
that all men are or can be equal In posses
sions, In ability or In merit. 1t simply means
that all shall stand equal before the law,
and that Government officials shall not, in
making, constituting or enforcing the law,
discriminate between citizens. / assert that
property rights, us well as the rights of per-
sons, are safe in the hands Of the common
ptople. Let tHelll UeNuTc VI SuTTeuueTlnH
political power which tl-ey already possess,
and which power, If surrendered, will surely
be used to close the doors of advancement
against such as they, and to fix new disabili-
ties and burdens upon them, till all Of liberty
shall be lost.
Weare not surprised to find arrayed against
is those who are the beneficiaries of Gov
ernment Notwithstanding have read our
platform. Nor are we surprised to learn
that we must in this campaign face the
npStilitv of those who find n lin nd
vantage In advocating the doctrine Of non
interference when great aggregations Of
wealth are trespassing upon the rights Of
individuals. We welcome such opposition
t Is the highest Endorsement which could be
bestowed upon us. We are content to have
the cooperation Of those who desire TO have
the government administered without fear
Or favor. 1t Is not the wish Of the general
ence and override the weaker members Of
society; 1t is not the wish Of the general
public that these trusts should destroy COM
petition and then collect such tax as they
will from those who are at their mercy; nor
is 1t the fault Of the general public that the
Instrumentalities of government have been
so often prostituted to purposes of private
gain. Those who stand upon the Chicago
platform believe that the Government
should not only avoid wrong-doing, but that
It should also prevent wrong doing; and they
believe that the law should be enforced
alike against all enemies Of the public veal.
II follows as necessary conclusion that
ricious legislation must be remedied by the
people who suffer from the effects of such
legislation and not by those who enjoy Its
benefits.
The Income Tax Law.
TIE Chicago platform has been condemned
by some because II dissents from an opinion
given by the Supreme &c irt declaring the
ncome-tax law unconstitutional. Our critics
,ven 80 SO far rs to apply the name "anar-
,1,t tcts 70 ctn n,,1 hot MI
If the platform. 1t must be remembered
hat we expressly recognize the binding force
,f that decision so long as 1t stands as part
If the law of the land. There is in the plat
form no suggestion Of an attempt to dispute
he authority Of the Supreme Court. The
party Is simply pledged to use "nll the con-
Ititutional power which remains after that
or which may come from Its re-
Is there any dislOyalty in that
pledge? For a hundred years the Supreme
Court of the United States has sustained
he principle which underlies the income tax.
shall offer no apology for the income-ta1
blank Of the Chicago platform: The last
law sought to apportion the bur-
lens of government more equitably among
hose who enjoy the protection of the gov
.rament. At present the expenses Of the
Federal Government, collected through in
specially burdensome upon the poor classes
# society. A law which collects from some
athens more than their share Of the taxes
Sase other spV citizens ese sors than
means Of transferring one mans prop
.rty to another mans pocket, and while
he process may be quite satisfactory to the
men who escape just taxation 1t can never
lened. Not only shall / refuse to apologize
or the advocacy Of an income tax law by
he National Convention, but shall also re-
use to apologize for the exercise by 1t of
lupreme Court. In government like ours
very public official is a public servant.
fhether he holds office by election or by ap-
whether he serves for q term of
ears or during good behavior, and the people
ave right to critieise his official acts.
The Money Problem.
The paramount Issue in this campaign is
he money question. 1t Is scarcely necessary
o defend the principle Of bimetalIsm. No
ational party during the entire history of
be United States has ever declared against
/. and no party In this campaign has had
he temerity to oppose 1t. Three parties
he Democratic, Populist, and Silver, have
ot only declared for bimetallism, but have
utlIned the specific legislation necessary to
estore silver to Its ancient position by the
ide Of gold. The Republican platform ex-
ressly declares that bimetr,' ism is desirable
then it pledges the Repul an party to aid |
n securing 1t as soon as the assistance Of
ertain foreign nations can be obtained. |
When they asserted that the efforts Of the |
government should be steadily directed to- |
-ard the establishment of international bi- |
letallism they condemned monometallism. |
here can be no sympathy or cooperation |
etween the advocates of universal gold |
tandard and the advocates sf bimetallism. |
'etween NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. independent |
r international-and the gold standard there |
an impossible gulf. Is this quadrennial |
citation In favor of international bimetal- |
SIN conducted In good faith. or do our op- |
onents really desire to maintain the gold |
tandard permanently? If they are bending |
heir energies toward the permanent estab- |
shment of a gold standard. under cover Of |
declaration in favor of international bi- |
l am justified In suggesting that |
onest money cannot be expected at the |
ands of those who deal dishonesty with |
le American people.
What Is the test of honesty in money? 1t |
lust certainly be found In the purchasing |
over of the dollar. An absolutely honest
ollar would not vary in Its general purchas-
lS power; Ii would be absolutely stable |
hen measured by average prices. A dollar
'hich increases In purchasing power is Just |
S dishonest as n dollar which decreases in
power. 1t cannot be successfully
aimed that monOmetallism or bimetallism,
r any other system, gives an absolutely Just
.andard of value. Under both monOmet-
llism and bimetallism the Government fixes
with legal tender qualities. and then
pens the mints to its unrestricted coinage,
aving the purchasing power of the dollar
, be determined by the number of dollars.
imetallism Is better than monometallism,
Af nrf.a 1a11n