The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-31

Great Crowds Pour Into Norris
town, New Jersey.
He Makes No Claim, He Says,
to Leadership.
SPEAKS AS DEMOCRAT.
Time is Taken Largely With His
Favorite Topic.
Continues to Hold Tariff Re-
sponsihle for All Ills.
SPEAKS AS DEMOCRAT.

SDUuSAUAC lOL al AAASs
Aforristown. n. J., oct. 31.-Former
President Cleveland spoke here last
night to a political meeting held IN
Lyceum hall Special trains brought
hundreds of people from other cities and
towns IN this vicinity, and Mr. CleVe7
land received an ovation toiloWlES
the meeting there was a non-partisan
reception to Mr.. Cleveland at Wnlch
about 200 prominent residents of this
Mr.. Cleveland's address was as fol-
lows:
Mr. Chairman and Fellow Citizens
As / greet you now l cannot smother
certain sentimental emotions which in
tensify the satisfaction which this occa-
sion affords. I was born in New Jef-
sey. After long absence. fun OF Incl
dents and vicissitudes, have returned
to the old state. where ] none to pass
the remainder of my days and find a
final resting place. I have brought back
with me a genuine and undertaking love,
not only for my native state, but for
her Old-time, staunch and vigorous De
mOcracy
HAS No CLAIM TO LEADERSHIP.
Il hope you will not think such refiec-
tons amiss. I feel in the mood for their
mention, not by way of excuse Tor my
appearance in the Democratic assem-
blage (Which I have never yet conceded
to be necessary but because my pres
ence here may be regarded as not stTict-
ly consistent with my determination to
consider myself retired from the strug-
giles and activities of political warfare
I fully recognize the natural order of
things which brings changes in political
leadership and counsel, and do not as
sumo to have a place in either role; but
nothing I care not what, can drive or
tempt me from my adherence to the
unadulterated, wholesome and -benencl2I
principles of genuine Democracy
L am told that these principles Of
good. old-fashioned New Jersey brand
are involved in a canvass here pending
in my native state and in the stare I
delight to call my home; and L have in
dulged my desire to come here and en-
joy the stimulation and pleasure which
! have never failed to find in hearty anu
unanimous Democratic struggle.
Il am especially pleased to learn that
tariff reforms have been made the DTin-
cipal issue in the canvass y0u have q
hand Never within my experience has
there been a time when this should be
more earnestly. persistently and hon
estly pressed upon the attention of our
cOuutrymen than now.
"Of course, custom duties must con-
tinue to be the source of government
maintenance until another plan is de
Vised, but a .aritf. constructed for the
purpose of protection as it's chief object,
is at all times and in every feature Of
it. an unjust and unfair burden upon
the masses OF our people. Dut fnb Bold
and arrogant developments of its UNI
fairness and injustices i'm recent years.
and the new directions they have
taken, ought especially to arrest the at
tention and apprehension of every
thoughtful, sober minded citizen
1t was not long go that the Demo-
cratic party, in advocating the reduc-
ton Of tariff taxation to the revenue
needs OF the government, based its IN
SlSCence largely upon the right and JUS
tice of cheapening for the masses of our
people, the prices of the necessities of
life and Withdrawing so much protec-
ton from a favored few manufacturers
as allowed them abnormal profits at the
expense Of the great body of consumers.
But the eXactiOnS from the people on
account of protection were made in such
stealthy and unobserved manner, by
AIDING them to their daily purchases
that it was difficult to impress upon the
consumers of the land the extent of
these eXactions.
TOUCHES ON THE SURPLUS.
While this process was going on. i'm
ported articles not produced in this
country were charged with such high
rates OF duty as not only to greatly en-
nance their cost to the purchasing con-
sumner, but to create a surplus reven1te
beyond its needs in the government
treasury This surplus renresented
clearly and definitely a small proportion
OF the unnecessary added expense of the
living Of our people on account of higf
protection. But the amount of the ~
action thus represented was insignif-
cant as compared with the amount
which protection permitted our own
manufacturers TO pocket from the con-
sumner.
when. in 1887, the doctrine Of tbe
Democracy on tariff reform was en-
bodied in an executive message to con
gress, though all the incidents and con
sequences of a high protective tariff
were considered, it was hoped that the
plain and palpable fact that what vas
then considered a large surplus remain
ed in the government treasury. which
should be in the possession Of the peo-
pie might as an object lesson from an
unusual standpoint effectuallv present
the situation This was therefore in a
sense made the keynote of the message.
In the opening passage as follows.
You are confronted at the threshold
OF your legislative duties with a conIi-
ton of the national finance which i'm.
peratively demands immediate ana
careful consideration
"Ihe amount OF money exactod
through the operation of present lsv-s
from the Industries and necessities Of
the people, largely exceeds the SIM,
necessary TO meet the expenses of the
government.