The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1896-08-21


Those who stanc upon the Chicago plat
form are prepared to make known and to
defend every motive which influences
and every hope which inspires them. They
understand the genius of our institt IONS
they are staunch supporters of the form
of government under which we live and
they build their faith upon foundations
laid by the fathers. Andrew jackson has
an emphasis which cannot be surpassed
both the duty and sphere of government.
He said:
Distinctions in society will always exist
under every just government. Equality of
talents, OF education or of wealth cannot
full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and
the fruits of superior industry, economy
and virtue, every man is equally entitled
to protection by law"
Equality Must Prevail
We yield to none in our devotion to the
doctrine just enunciated Our campaign
has not for its object the reconstruction
of society. We cannot insure to the vicious
the fruits of virtuous life. We. would not
invade the home of the provident in order
to supply the wants of the spendthrift; we
do not propose to transfer the rewards of
industry to the lap of incidence. Property
and the compensation for toll We believe
as asserted in the declaration of indepeni-
ence, that all men are created equal; but
that does not mean that all men are or
can he equal in possessions in ability or
merit; II simply means officials shall not,
in making, constructing or enforcing the
law, discriminate between citizens.
Safe in the Peoples Hands.
I assert that property rights, as we'll as
the rights of persons. are safe in the hands
OF tne common people. Abraham Lincoln.
in his message sent to congress in Deceu1-
Der, 1861. said mo men living are more
worthy to be trusted than those who toll
or touch aught which they have not hon
estly earned" l repeat his language with
n IN IVA dlppr0yba and nc Jon with him
Let them beware of surrendering pott-
ical power which they 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 dis
ABILITIES and burdens upon them TN all Of
follow the injunction: In the sweat of thy
face shalt thou eat bread" are now, as they
have ever been, the bulwark of law and
order-the source of our nations greatness
IN time OF peace. and its surest defenders in
time of war.
But nave only read a part of Jackson's
utterance-let me give you his conclusions:
but when the laws undertake to add to
those natural and just advantages arti-
f1cial distinctionS-to grant titles, gratui-
ties and exclusive privileges-to make the
rich richer and the potent more powerful
the humble members Of society-the farm
ers, mechanics and the day laborers-who
have neither the time nor the means OF
a right to complain of the injustice of their
government" Those who support the Chi
cago platform indorses all the quotation
from Jackson-the latter part as well as
the former part.
Character of the Opposition.
We are not surprised. said Mr.. Bryan.
70 find arrayed against us those who are
the beneficiaries of government favorit-
ism-they have read our platform-nor to
learn that we must In this campaign face
tho hostility of those who find pecunary
advantage In advocating the doctrine Of
non-interference when great aggrega lions
OF Tedh aaf sueb SpGn the rights
highest Endorsement which could be be-
slowed upon us.
operation of those who desire to have the
government administered without fear or
favor. 1t is not the wish of the general
public that trusts should spring into ey-
| istence and override the weaker members
| of society: 1t is not the wish of the gem
stroy competition and then collect such
| tax as they will from those who are at
their mercy; nor Is IT the fault Of the gen:
government have been so often prostituted
to purposes Of private gain: Those who
that the government should not only avoid
wrong-doing,. but that il should also pre-
vent wrong,doiing: and they believe that
| all enemies Of the public veal
Not Disloyai Pledge.
| The Chicago platform has been con-
an opinion rendered by the supreme court
declaring the income tax law unconstitu-
tional. Our critics even go SO far to
| apply the name anarchist to those Who
must be remembered. that we. expressly
so long as 1t stands as a part of the law
Of the land. There is in the platform no
authority Of the supreme court The party
is simply pledged to ''use all the consti-
tutional power which remains after that
| decision, or which may come from its re-
| versal by the court, as II may hereafter be
constituted" Is there any disloyalty in
that pledge?
| Has No Apology to OfYer.
| wban courts allow rebea ripUo he ,y,,3
they admit that error is possible the late
decision against the income tax was rem
dered by majority of one after rehear-
! ing. While the money question overshad-
ows all other questions in importance, |
desire ii distinctly understood. continued
the income tax plank of the Chicago plat
! form. The last income tax sought to ap-
portion the burdens of government more
! lection of the government. At present
the expenses OF the federal government
and import duties. are especially burden
| some upon the poorer classes of society A
law which collects from some citizens more
than their share of the taxes and collects
from other citizens less than their
share is simply an indirect means
to another maf's pocket, and While he
process my be quite satisfactory to the
men who escape Just taxation, it can
are are overburdened Not only ii shall shall
| refuse to apologize for the advocacy OF
an income tax law by the national conVen-
ton, but l shall also refuse to apologize
| for the exercise by 1t OF the right to dissent
from a decision of the supreme court. In
| a government like ours, every public off,
cial is public servant, and the people have
a right to criticise his official acts. No public
| official who conscientiously discharges his
| duty will desire to deny to those he serves
! the right TO discuss his official conduct.
All Favor B.metallism.
Then, entering upon WAat ne declared
the paramount question OF the campaign