Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-10-16

time of its final passage by Congress,
and even permitted it to become law
without his signature, had occasion to
modify his estimate afterward. In his
last message to Congress, December Z,
1896, he said
II desire to recur to the statements else
where made concerning the governments re.
ceipts and expenditures for the purpose OF
venturing upon other suggestions touching
our present tariff Law and its operation.
This statute took effect on the 2Sth day
of August, 1894. Whatever may be its short
comings as complete measure of tariff re.
form, il must he conceded that 1t has opened
the way to freer and greater exchange OF
com modities between US aud other countries,
and thus furnished wider market for our
products and manufactures.
81 suppose it will not be denied that under
the present law our people obtain the neces'
saries of comfortable existence at cheaper
rate than formerly. This is s MISTER OF SUI
preme importance since it is the palpable
duty of every just government to make the
burdens of ta1a.ioui SIS light as possible. The
people should not be required to relnqulsh
this privilege of cheaper living except under
the streets of their governments necessity
made plainly manifest.
If, therefore, need any vindication
of my course with reference to the
tariff legislation of 1894, should find
it in abundance at the hands of MIR.
Cleveland himself. I need none, how
ever. I simply state the facts. .
So much for the trinity of reforms. :"
My action in regard to them was die
tste6 by my best judgment. l have
nothing to regret, nothing to excuse.
I shall not dwell upon the charge
that was traitor to the cause of the
Sherman act repeal. 1t is false and
foolish charge. There is not page
or doorkeeper or clerk connected
with the Senate who does not know
that when the measure came before
that body there was majority against
it. There can be no one acquainted
with the events of that memorable time
inside or outside the Senate, who does
not know that the committee of which
was member is to be credited with
having overcome that majority and
made the passage of the bill possible.
1t ia all of record, open as the day, sub
iect to no conceivable misconception,
save by those who will not see the facts.
shall waste no time in the discussion
of an axiom. As well point out the
beauties of a landscape to the blind or
make sweet music for the deaf. The
man who says that I did not in good
faith aid in the repeal-the genuine re-
peal-of the purchasing clause of the
Sherman act, says 80 in defiance of fact
and reason, and because he deliberate
ly refuses to speak the truth.
There is still another matter. You
accuse me of having entered into an
intrigue in 1892 to defeat the renomi
nation of Mr.. Cleveland. If by that
you mean to say that l opposed the
denomination, I cheerfully admit the
Justice of the accusation. 1t was my
privilege as democrat to entertain q
preference as to who should be the
leader of the party. 1t was my judg.
ment az a man that Mr.. Cleveland's
leadership would not be advantageous.
But there was no intrigue, 80 far as
am concerned. My opposition was
honestly entertained and frankly avow
ed. You must be aware, however,
though you have carefully refrained
from giving me credit for the facts,
that after Mr.. Cleveland was nomi-
nated-and on a platform of which
did not wholly approve-I gave to the
democratic candidate my hearty and
active support. l repaired to New
York and devoted my entire time and
effort to the triumph of the ticket.
That was my duty as party man. !
discharged the same duty in 1896.
have no apologies to offer or regrets to
indulge in either case, for it is my sim
cere belief that the interests of the PEG.
pie and the country are best subserved
by the ascendancy of the democratic
party in national affairs.
And now, MIR. Abel, let US pass to q
question touching which there can be
no misunderstanding. These state.
ments and counter. statements, argu-
ments and retorts-all this petty clash
of protestation and impeachment
amount TO very little at the best. You
have declared your undying devotion
to the democratic party, and have said
that my leadership, my personal am
bition, my selfish purposes, and these
only, prevent you from restoring your
newspaper to the service of the loyal
people who originally made it rich and
powerful by their patronage, their con-
idence end their support. You have
given Maryland to understand that,
but for me and the "bossism" you are
pleased to attribute to me, you would
bring back the Baltimore Sun to its old
moorings, and devote it to the exposi
ton of democratic principles and the
confusion and overthrow of republican
rule in this State. You have stated in
effect-certainly with the intent OF be-
ing so understood-that you still love
the demo cratic party, and still wish to
see it predominant in Maryland, and
you thereby involve yourself in
pledge to cast off your re-
publican affiliations, and repudiate
your republican alliances, and
labor heart and soul for the success of
the democratic party as it will remain
after being purged of me. If you be
sincere in this, the solution of the diff
6culty is simple enough. If my aspira.
lions, my leadership, my influence, con-
stitute the only obstacles to your return
to the people who made your newspa-
per and founded your fortunes and gave
reality to your position and your power,
| stand ready to remove them. Office
is less to me than you suppose. Politi-
cal leadership is not so necessary to my
happiness as you, in your ignorance Of
my character and motives, are pleased
to say. Strange as it may seem to you,
am willing to surrender every pros