Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-07-15
AN OPEN LETTER.
Hon. g. II. Morgan Declares For the
Republican Ticket.

Whitney, Chairman Republican Ex
CON- Fourth Congressional District. S
~ Morgan,.Chairman Republican Ex
Com. Pickett County.
MISUNDERSTANDING to your in
qulries OF recent date conclude to write
you an open letter that can be published
II you desire. II published it will serve
Us an answer to several others from
friends in different parts of the Fourth
District and of the State. That there
may be no ground for questioning nv
motives in making the announcement
70 Dc hereinafter made, say to you that
am no candidate for Office, either pres.
eht or prospective. | am no politician
having held but one Office of a political
nature; that being thrust upon me by
the people without my seeking. NV DO.
lltlcal affiliations have been with the
Democratic party, so far as I've had any,
Dut have never been of that class that
follows party blindly without regard to
right or wrong. SO long as | retain the
power to Judge between good and evil, |
never will be. In my opinion it is the
duty of every citizen to act with that
party that will best promote the pros
perity and happiness Of the whole peo-
pie,
IN national affairs | am now and al
ways have been in favor of tariff that
protects home industries and raises rev.
enue to run the government. | believe
with such men as Samuel Randall, Geo.
q. Dibrell and the fathers of the Repub-
llc that America is for Americans first.
1t was fortunate expedient that de-
termincd the founders of the govern
ment, to raise the necessary revenue to
sustain it by system of indirect taxa
tlon on foreign imports instead Of col
lecting directly from the people said
necessary funds. 1t was jefferson that
said IN 1903, at may be the pleasure Of
an American to ask, what farmer, what
mechanic, what laborer, ever sees tax
gatherer of the United States?" Presi-
dent Madison, In his message to Con-
gress IN 1909 said, cit will be worthy at
the same time to make such further AL
teration in the laws as will more especi-
ally protect and foster the several
branches of manufacturers which have
been recently instituted by the laudable
exertions of our citizens"
In 1917 President Monroe said, ~Our
manufacturers will likewise require the
systematic fostering care of the Govern
ment" In 1893, President Adams advo-
Gated the same doctrine. In 1926, Presi-
dent Jackson boldly defended the con-
stitutionality of our tariff system; say
ing; ;"This authority having gpassed from
the staiess the right ito exerciseat FOR the /.
purpose Of protection does not exist in
them; consequently, if it be not passed
by the general government it must be
extinct: Our political system would
thus represent the anomaly of a people
stripped of the right to foster their own
industry, and to counteract the most
selfish and destructive policy which
might be adopted by foreign nations. In
this conclusion ! am confirmed as well,
by the opinions of Presidents Washing
ington, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe"
In lS45 President Polk, in his inaugural
address, declared himself in favor of
"Tariff for revenue, with incidental pro-
tection." In lS49, President Taylor, in
his only message to Congress, recon-
mended the doctrine of tariff protection
to American industries" / present these
extracts, which might be indefinitely
not as an excuse for advoca-
ting the protection idea, but to show the
kind Of company am in on this ques-
ton, and to present some Of the sources
from which draw my political inspira-
ton upon this, one of the most important
subjects before the American people in
the coming election. To my mind it is
so intimately connected with it that they
may well be considered together. That
the unfortunate action of Congress upon
the subject of the tariff, has had an i'm
portant bearing on the finances Of the
is perfectly apparent from the
facts of history. Under the protective
system there was surplus in the treas
ury and the national debt was being
rapidly reduced. The country was pros
porous 1t was said we must have a
change. We got it. The Democratic
party took charge of every department
Of the government. The protective sys-
tenn gave way. A tariff was enacted by
the Democratic Congress that pleased
nobody. 1t does not raise sufficie mt rev.
enue to run the government. The con-
sequence is that business has stagnated.
The Government has had to borrow mil
lions of money. Payment on the nation
al debt has ceased. Panic, woe and want
have stalked abroad in the land, not
Providence has smiled
upon us all the while, by giving us peace
and bountiful crops. What is the mat
ter? OF course il the government can
not continue its business without going
in debt for running expenses the people
can not be expected to do better. Give
us laws that furnish the necessary
money to meet all demands upon the
government and that aids in furnishing
for every citizen, a curren-
cy with each dollar, no difference what
it is made of, worth any other dollar the
world over, and prosperity will again
bless our country.
In days gone by, one proud boast of
the Democratic party was, that it guar
anteed the utmost freedom in elections
and maintained the purity of the ballot
box at all hazards. While this cardinal
principle of liberty and free government
was adhered to, could forego other
matters that deemed of much impor-
tance and still vote the Democratic
ticket.