The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13

DO my constant endeavor TO secure It By CO.
operation with the other great commercial
powers Of the world. Until that condition Is
~realized-when the parity between our gold and
silver money springs from and Is supported by
the relative value Of the two metals-the value
Of the silver already coined, and Of that which
may hereafter be coined, must be kept constant
~ at par with gold by every resources at our COM
mand The credit Of the government, the in
tegrity Of It's currency and the inviolsbil;ty Of
its obligations must be preserved. This was the
commanding verdict Of the people, and 1t VIII
not be unheeded.
Economy Is demanded in every branch Of the
government at all times, but especially In Pc
RODS like the present OF depression in business
and distress among the people. The severeSt
economy must be observed In all public expen-
ditures and extravaganza stopped whenever 1t
IS found, and prevented wherever, in the future,
It may be developed. II the revenues are to re-
main as now, the only relief that can come must
be from decreased expenditures. But the pres
ent must not become the permanent condition
OF the government 1t has been our uniform
practice to retire, not to increase, our outstand-
ing obligations, and this policy must again be
resumed and vigorously enforced Our revenues
should always be large enough to meet with
ease and promptness not only our current needs
and the principal and interest of the public debt,
but TO make proper and liberal pro-
vision for the most deserving body Of public
creditors, the soldiers and sailors. and the wild
ows and orphans. who are the pensioners OF the
United States. The government should not be
permitted to run behind, or Increase its debt, in
times like the present Suitably to provide
against this, Is the mandate OF uty-the Ger
tain and easy remedy for most of our financial
difficulties. A deficiency Is inevitable SO long
as the expenditures of the government exceed its
receipts. 1t can only be met by loans or an in
crease Of revenue. While q large annual sur
plus may create a vast extravaganza, made
public and private credit. Neither should be
encouraged. Between more loans and more
OPTION. We should have more Oq revenue Ne
and that without delay, hindrance. or
pOstponement. A surplus in the treasury
created by loans, is not a permanent or safe re-
lance. II will suffice while it lasts, but it can
not last long while the OUTLAWS Of the govern
ment are greater than its receipts, as has been
the case during the past two years. Nor must
1t be forgotten, however much such loans may
temporarily relieve the situation. the govern
ment is still indebted for the amount. of the
surplus thus accrued, which 1t must ultimately
| pay, which its ability to pay is not strengthened
but eakened by a continued deficit. Loans
are imperative in great emergencies to preserve
the government or its credit, but a failure to
supply needed revenue IN time OF peace for the
maintenance of either has no Justification.
The best way for the government to maintain
its credit is to pay as it goes-not by resorting
to loans, but by keeping out OF debt-thrOugh
an adequate income secured by II system Of
taxation, external or internal, or both. 1t Is the
settled policy of the government, pursued from
the beginning and practiCed by all parties and
administrations, 10 raise the bulk OF our
revenue from taxes upon foreign productions
entering the United States for sale and con-
sumption, ana avoiding, Tor the most part, every
form of direct taxation, except in time of war.
TIT country IS clearly opposed to any needless
addition TO the subjects of internal taxation,
and IL committed by its latest popular utter
auc5 to the system OF tariff taxation.
There can be no misunderstanding,
either, about the principle upon which this tariff
taxation shall be levied. Nothing has ever been
made palmer al a general election than that the
cOntSOlling principle In the raising Of revenue
from, duties on imports, Is a jealous care for
American interests and American labor. The
naRp1a hn 70 fpRlg -nl That GTfgh lRLriGl1tiDn Ghnnli
be had as will give ample protection and en-
enlargement to the industries and the develop
ment OF our country. II is therefore earnestly
hoped and expected that congress VIII, ut the
earliest practical moment, enact revenue legiS-
latiCn that shall be fair. reasonable. Conscrva-
tive and just, and which, supplying sufficient
revenue for public purposes VIII still be Signally
beLefcial and helpful to every section, and
every enterprise Of the people. To this policy,
We are all, Of whatever party, firmly bound by
the voice OF the pcople-a power vastly more
p~oleutial than the expression OF any political
platform. The paramount duty Of congress IS
to stop deficiencies by the restoration of TINT
protective legislation which has always been
ths firmest prop Of the treasury. The passage
Of such a law or laws would strengthen the
crsdit OF the government both at home and
abroad, and go far towards stopping the drain
upon the gold reserve held for the redemption
Of our currency which has been heavy and we'll
nigh constant for several years
In the revision of the tariff. special attention
should be given to the re-enaCtment and extern
sion Of the reciprocity principle OF the law of
1890, under which so great a stimulus was given
to our foreign trade in new and advantaEeous
| markets for our surplus agricultural and manu-
featured products. The brief trial given this
legislation amply j~ustiteS a further experiment
and additional discretionary power in the max
ing Of commercial treaties. the end in view al
ways to be the opening up Of new markets for
the products of our country, by granting con-
cessiOns to the products of other lands that we
need and can not produce ourselves, and which
do not involve any loss of labor to our people,
but tend to increase their employment.
The depression of the past four years has
fallen with especial severity upon the great
body of toilers Of the country. and upon none
more than the holders Of small farms. Agri-
culture has languiShed and labor suffered. The
revival of manufacturing will be a relief to
Doth. No portion Of our population is more de-
voted to the institutions of free government,
nor more loyal to their support. while none
bears more checrfuily W fully its proper share
in the maintenance of the government, or IS bet
ter entitled to Its wise and liberal care and pro-
lection. Legislation helpful to producers Is
beneficial TO all. The depressed .condi-
ton Of industry on the farm and in the
mine and factory has lessened the
ability OF the people to meet the demands upon
them, and they rightfully expect that not only
a system OF revenue shall be established thai
will secure the largest income with the least
burden, but that every means will be taken TO
decrease, rather than increase, our public eO-
penditureS.
Business conditions are not the most promis-
ing. 1t will take time to restore the prosperity
OF former years. II we can not promptly attain
| IL, We can reSOlutely turn our races IN InaJ Ill
rection and aid its return by friendly legiSla-
ton. However troublesome the situation may
appear, congress will not, 1 am sure, be found
lacking. in disposition or ability to
| relieve it, as far as legislation can do so. The
| restoration of confidence and the revival OF
business, which men of all parties so much de-
sire, depend more largely upon the prompt, en-
ergetic and intelligent act Of congress than
upon any other single agency affecting the sttu-
alton.
It is inspiring, too, 10 remember that no great
emergency in the one hundred and eight years
| OF our eventful national life has ever arisen
that has not been met with wisdom and courage
by the American people, with fidelity to their
best interests and highest destiny and the
honor OF the American name. These years OF
glorious history have exalted mankind and adj
vanced the cause Of freedom throughout the
world and immeasurably strengthened the pre-
cious free institutions which We enjoy. Tit peo-
pie love and will sustain these institutions. The
great essential to our happiness and prosperity
is that We adhere to the principles on which the
government was established and insist upon
must prevail and our laws be always and every
where respected and obeyed. We may have
failed in the discharge of our full duty as
citizens OF the great republic, but 1t Is consoling
and encouraging to realize that free speech, a free
press, free thought, free schools, the free and
unmolested right of religious liberty and wor-
ship, and free and fair elections are dearer and
more universally entyed to-day than ever be-
fore. These guarantees must be Sacredly pre-
served and wisely strengthened. The consti-
tuted authorities must be cheerfully and ylgor-
ously upheld. LynchingS must not be tolerated
in a great and civilized country like the United