The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-15

charging that duty. you will render
service to the cause of free constitutional
government not inferior to that of the
patriotic man who, after a long struggle.
rescued the country from domination of
federalism and paternalism and establish
ed the principles of democratic equality at
the close of the last century.
A sound and stable currency; just and
equal taxation for public PURPOSES only;
a strict adherence to the letter and spirit
of the constitution by all the departments
of the government and rigid economy in
the expenditure of the peoples money,
have been vital parts of the democratic
faith from the beginning, and there has
never been a time in our history when the
condition of the country more imperative
ly demanded the practical application of
these doctrines than it does now. Many
of our industries are depressed for want
of a market for their products, many of
our most worthy people are deprived of
employment and many of our most val
liable commercial enterprises are Ian
gushing for the want of profitable
trade. At such q time, every material in
terest of the people demands that the cur
rency used in the transactions Of their
business shall be absolutely free from
even a suspicion of unsoundness; that the
necessaries of life and the materials used
in our industries shall be exempt from the
burdens of taxation in order that the poor
may live comfortably and labor may find
employment; and that the affairs of the
government shall be honestly and
economically administered and its
expenditures be strictly confined to the
great public purposes for which it was es-
tablished. But in defiance of these obvious
requirements of the public interest, the
integrity of our currency is still threat
ened, tariff taxes upon nearly everything
the people eat drink, wear, or use in pro-
duction, are about to be largely increased,
and the public expenditures instead of be-
ing diminished TO meet the exigencies of
the situation are being extended TO new
and unworthy objects, many of which are
purely local or private in their character.
The paralysis of trade and industry, re-
sulting the loss of public revenue and in
destroying the ability of the people TO meet
their private Obligations, was produced
mainly by unwise currency and fiscal leg
islation, and the return of prosperity has
so far been prevented by continued parti-
san agitation in favor of still more radical
and destructive measures on the same
subjects But, Notwithstanding these well
known facts, the present congress, instead
of attempting to reform the currency laws
and permanently establish our standard
on the gold basis, where democratic
craftsmanship, under the inspiration Of
Andrew Jackson, placed 1t more than six
dispensable work and devoted more than
four months TO the imposition of increas-
ed taxation upon the people; and a large
part of this time has been spent IN acrim-
onious contests among the benehciaries OF
the taxes, over the division of the spoils
The whole field of domestic industry and
enterprise every calling and occupation
In which an intelligent and progressive
people can possibly engage, had been sub
iected to the most searching investiga-
ton by trained experts, stimulated by sell
fish personal interests, to discover useful
articles of consumption upon which new
or additional burdens could be so imposed
by law as to rob the people of their honest
earnings, without raising revenue for the
government In this work OF spoliation,
the protectionists have had not only the
sympathy, but the active cooperation and
support. of many Of the most able and In
auential members OF the free silver party
In congress, who did not even receive for
their indispensable services fair division
OF the spoils Without the aid OF free sill
YER members Of the Senate, the republican
protectionlsts could have accomplished
nothing whatever in the direction Of In
creased taxation, and this fact was so
well known to the country that II was for
a long time seriously doubted that there
could be any legislation on the subject. In
the Senate the free silver party had the
absolute control Of the situation, and the
conceded power, with the aid OF the sound
money and revenue reform democrats, 10
pass through that body any tarin blu Il
desired 10 pass, or to defeat any tariff bill
il desired to defeat, and consequently. Il
cannot escape responsibility TO the people
Tor the unjust and oppressive measure
which Is now about 20 become a law.
While some OF It's members. who have not
vet abandoned all their democratic con-
yictions, consistently opposed this spolia-
ton Of the people, a sufficient number or
their political associates TO pass the bill.
either gave Il their votes or purposely
Withheld their votes, Ia order that Il might
receive a majority, and thus by their act
IL will soon be placed upon the statute
books 10 harness our Industries, Cypress
our citizens and obstruct our trade for
many years to come.
Tho tarlfr act OF 1893 which wan so exor-
bitant IN its rates Of duty that even Mr..
Clay, the great apostle Of protection. de-
nounced Il a. n bill OF abominatlous."
was moderate IN lts exactions IN compari-
sion with the measure which the free sill
yer party. by the action OF la members
In the Senate. N now about 20 fasten upon
the country. A political party can be no
better than lts worst elements. when the
cooperation Of its worst elements II ca-
sonual 70 its success az the polls, or to the
execution OF its policy after IL has secured
power. and Il has now been demonstrated
beyond the possibility Of denial that the
free silver party. although claiming 10 be
A.. A. % -