Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-03-06

United States for sale and consumption;
and avoiding for the most part every
FORM OF direct taxation. except In time
of war. The country is clearly opposed
to any needless additions to the sub
Jects of internal taxation. and is conf
United by its latest popular utteranceto
the system of tariff taxation. There can
be no misunderstanding. either, about
the principal upon which their tariff tax
alton shall be levied. Nothing has ever
been made palmer at a general election
than that the controlling principle in
the raising of revenue from duties on i'm
PORTS Is jealous care for American inter-
ests and American labor. The people
have declared that such legislation
should be had as will give ample protec-
ton and encouragement to the industries
and the development of our country. 1t
Is therefore, earnestly hoped and eX-
Eected that congress will. at the earliest
practicable moment. enact revenue leg
islatiOn that shall be fair. reasonable,
conservative and just, and which, while
supplying sufficient revenue for public
purposes, will still be generally bene-
fetal ana 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 people
a power more vastly potential than the
expression of any political platform. The
paramount duty Of congress Is to stop
deficiencies by the restoration of that
protective legislation which has always
been the firmest prop of the treasury.
The passage of such law or laws would
strengthen the credit of the government
both at home and abroad, and go far to-
wards stopping the drain upon the gold
reserve held for the redemption of our
currency, which has been heavy and well
nigh constant for several years.
In the revision of the tariff especial at
tention should be given to the re-enact-
llent and extension of the reciprocity
principle of the law of 1890, under which
so great a stimulus was given to our for
eign trade in new and advantageous
markets, for our surplus agricultural
and manufactured products. The brief
trial given this legislation amply justi-
iles further experiment and additional
discretionary power in the making of
commercial treaties, the end in view al
ways to be the opening up of new mar
kets for the products of our country, by
granting concessions to the products of
oluCI ludl W c hCSu anu S1hatoS Pho0
duce ourselves. and which do not involve
uny loss of labor to our own 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. Agriculture has languished and
labor suffered The revival of manufac-
turing will be relief to both. No por
tons of our population is more
devoted to the institutions of free
government, nor more loyal in their
support, while none hears more
oheerfully or fully it's proper share in the
maintenance of the government, or Is
better entitled to its wise and liberal care
and protection. Legislation helpful to
producers is beneficial to all. The de-
pressed condition of industry of the farm
and in the mine and factory has lessened
the ability Of the people to meet the de-
mands upon them, and they rightfully
expect that not only system of revenue
shall be established that will secure the
largest income with the least bUrd".''
bat that every means will b. taKen 10
decrease, rather than increase, our pub
lie expenditures. Business conditions are
not the most promising. 1t will take time
to restore the prosperity of former years.
If we cannot promptly attain 1t, we can
resoutely turn our faces in that direction
nnd aid it's return by friendly legislation.
However troublesome the situation may
appear, congress will not am sure, be
found lacking in disposition or ability to
relieve 1t, as far as legislation can do so.
The restoration Of confidence and the re-
i,.al ic1, Of a M nj
so much desire, depend more
largely upon the prompt, ener-
getic and intelligent action of
congress than upon any other single
agency affecting the situation.
1t is inspiring. too, to remember that
no great emergency in the 10S years OF
our eventful national life has even arisen
that has not been met with wisdom and
courage by the American people, with
fidelity to their best interests and high
est destiny, and to the honor Of the Amer
lean nation. These years of glorious his.
tory have exalted mankind aud adj
vanced the cause of freedom throughout
the world, and UNNECESSARILY strength
tned the precious free institutions which
we enjoy. The people love and will sus-
tain these institutions. The great essen
tial to our happiness and prosperity Is
that we adhere to the principles upon
which the government was established,
and insist upon their faithful observ-
ance. Equality Of rights must prevail,
and our laws be always and everywhere
respected and obeyed. We may have
failed in the discharge Of our full duty
as citizens of the great republic, but 1t Is
consolng and encouraging to realize that
free speech, a free press, free thought,
free schools, the free and umolested right
of religious liberty and worship and free
and fair elections are dearer and more
universally enjoyed today than ever be-
fore. These guarantees must be sacredly
preserved and wisely strengthened The
constituted authorities must be cheer
fully and vigorously upheld. Lynchings
must not be tolerated in great and civ
ilized country like the United States;
courts, not nobs, must execute the PEN
alties of the law. The preservation Of
public order, the right Of discussions, the
Integrity Of our courts and the orderly
administration of justice must continue
forever the rock of safety upon which our
government securely rests.
One of the lessons taught by the late
election, which all can rejoice in, is that
the citizens of the United States are both
law-respecting and law abiding people.
not easily swerved from the path Of pa
triotism and honor. This is In entire ac-
cord with the genus Of our institutions,
and but emphasizes the advantages OF
intoxicating even a greater love for law
and order in the future. Immunity
should be granted to none who violate
the law, whether individuals, corpora
tions or communities; and, as the con-
stitution imposes upon the president the
duties of both It's own execution and Of
the statutes enacted in pursuance Of Its
provisions. I shall endeavor carefully to
carry them into effect. The declaration
OF the party now restored to power has
been, in the past, that of Opposition to
all combinations Of capital organized IN
trusts, or otherwise to control, arbi-
trarily, the condition Of trade among our
citizens" and 1t has supported such
legislation as will prevent the execution
nf all schemes to OppreSS the peODle BY