Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-27
TARIFF DUTIES AND FEDERAL
REVENUES.

THE VIRGINIAN-PILOTs some days
ngo. in noticing some structures from
the Richmond Times on certain protcc-
tive action taken by the Democrats of
Florida in relation TO cotton, in which
our Richmond contemporary seemed to
assume that the Democratic party is
free trade. took occasion to deny
1T unwarranted assumption and to
set forth what has been and is the
Democratic doctrine and practice with
respect to the tariff The tariff plank
of the platform of 1854 seemed 10 us
best to set forth this doctrine and prac-
tice, not because 1t is in antagonlsm
with the general Democratic view, but
is in full unison with that view, while
Mt the same time it comes out clearly
and distinctly in support of our con-
tention. We had said:
1.-THE Democratic party is not for free
trade either in profession or practice
nor against American home protection
either in profession or practice; but
there Is no mistake about Democratic
opposition to both the theory and opc-
ration of protection as Illustrated by
ahe Republican record since 1861"
1.-THE Democratic party, indeed. so far
from being for free trade. as UNDER
stood and enforced so generally in Eng
land. is and has been always an advo-
cate of tariff-revenue and n revenue
inrlH; ana 1t is only our doctrinaires
that have ever sought to identify the
party with free trade. simple and ab-
solute. The platform of 1896 declares Tor
a revenue TARIFF impartially laid rs TO
sections and subjects; but against anv
further agitation for tariff changes un-
I'll the
settled
Upon this and more to the same ef-
feet in our issue OF May 10th, the Times
comes back at us in reply from which
we clip the following:
1.-THE interesting point 70 which wa
would direct attention. is that the Nor
aolk Virginian Pilot. which has so often
proclaimed that the true principles OF
Democracy are to be found in the latest
platform of the party. should practi-
cally discard the platform of 1892 and
1896 and declare that the true position
or the Democratic party on tariff &c
clearly set forth in the platform Of
1851"
We think our contemporary hardly
30 I'll understood us: the party had been
accused OF taking "a new departure"
In Its platform of 1896, and we held and
proved that that is a most Migrant err
tor. not only citing recent platforms
but the earlier ones. from the very first
and upon which Jefferson himself was
hrst elected President. The demons,ra-
lion was complete and perfect that This
charge OF "a new Democracy" (exccpt
IN the sense OF a revival and renewal OF
ancient and everlasting princples) was
out empty clap-trap. with nothing at
all to stand on,-the alteration being
wholly In the Cleveland gang or fac
hon' and not at all in the party.
Nor does THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
IN citing the platform OF 1884 as TO the
tariff at all discard what is said In
1872 and 1896 by the partySthe ruling
idea being still dominant. as in the
platform Of 1892. as follows:
Section 8. We denounce Republican
protection as a fraud, n robbery of the
great majority of the American people
!or the benefit Of the few. We declare
u 10 pc fundamental principle OF the
democratic party that the Federal Gov
eminent has no constitutional power TO
impose and collect tariff duties. eyccnt
1or the purposes of revenue ONLY. and
we demand that the collection of such
taxes shall be limited TO the necessities
or the government when honestly and
economically administered"
That ruling and dominant idea being.
hot free trade, but sufficient tariff