The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1900-03-07
THE FIRST VICTORY.
DEMOCRATS WIN THE FlRol
SKIRMISH.
rorced Republicans to Weaken on
the Porto Rican Tariff. VAL
uable Campaign Material.

Tho democrats in congress, under the
4, ..aorebin Of Mr., Richardson, have won
4bo FIRST skirmish in the great political
oomnaiop of 1900. They have forced the
.onnblicans to weaken on the Porto HI
oon tariff bill. and they have secured
Il ,,oior material of the most valuable
h sort.
President Mckinley was at first incjin-
81 70 free trade between the United
cta,as ana the new territories and so re-
commended. But under pressure brought
Il bv those who wished to hold the monop-
" DIV of business in certain lines in the
7-oited States he consented TO the intro
dnction of the bill which required an
import tax upon all Porto Rican pro~
ducts. Standing upon the plain terms OF
the constitution, the democrats of the
bouse resisted the lniquitous sche ne and
it developed that there were enough pa
triotic and constitution loving repuoll>
cans to 1oin them, converting the minor
itv into a probable majority. The re-
nnblioan leaders consented TO a
reduction of the tariff from % per cent.
IN 10 per cent, and have further assert
ed that even that tax was to be regarded
as only temporary. IN doing this they
have made confession of error and such
confession as will open the eyes of the
people to intrigueS that threaten the very
foundations of our constitutional form
Of government.
The democratic position is that Porto
Rico is entitled to either her own abso>
lutte freedom and independence or to full
rank among the sisterhood of American
States, with all the privileges and immu-
bites that that status implies. such is
surely the alternative. And it is most
gratifying to perceive that in the debates
the Georgia democratic representatives
have distinguished themselves ia oppO'
sition to the republican cOnsp racy.
Under the American flag fish may not
be made of one people and fowl of an
pther. If we are to expand we must ex-
D md under the constitution. If we car
1epart from constitutional lines in one
respect we may depart in others. If WE
may violate the organic law in little We
hay violate it in large. The old land.
marks mean something or nothing. Il
has been the mission of the democratic
party from the very beginning to uphold
We principles of the constitution IN then
purity. Because it has done so it has
Zone down to defeat more than once, but
~ steadfastly clinging to the truth anC
We gospel it has maintained itself as q
RlIltant organization, protecting the
1eople often even against themselves
ne party has assisted the armies in the
neid. 1t has stood by the flag in The
seceht wars. 1t has sent soldiers forward
and sought to bring none back until tn,
M1g was acknowledged. 1t has hello
Ehfough its leaders in congress an abso
gtey patriotic position. And now thai
1orto Rico is an accepted and acceptable
Rt'4e OF war it insists that it shall come
ender the flag of statehood exactly al
III people were assured by Genera
llIeS when they welcomed him and hi.
Afmy to their shores.
Inc principle of the constitution tina
lote must be free trade among the
R.aIeS is most sacred one. To ignore
~ any respect is to set a preceden
uGa anectS the integrity of the Who'll,