The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-31
Former President Makes an Un- ansWBrabIG Argun8ntAgainst
 the System of Protection
CALLS ON DEMOCRATS ID
 RALLY AROUND STANDARD
Spoke at MorrIstown, N. J., and spe- clal Trains Carried Hundreds of
 Trains to Hear Him-Re-
 eeptlon Given Rfterward.

Morristown. N. J.. October SO.-Former President Grover Cleveland spoke here tonight to a political meeting. held in Lyceum hall. Special trains brought hun dreds of people from other cities and towns in this vicinity, and MT. Cleveland was given an ovation. He sad:
 cIeveIand's Speech.
 MT Chairman and Fellow Citizens: As l greet you now I cannot smother certain sentimental emotions which in- tensify the satisfaction which this occa- sion affords. 1 was born in New Jer- sey. After a long absence, full of inci- dents and vicissitudes, have returned to the old state, where 1 hope to pass the remainder of my days, and find a final resting place. l have brought back with me genuine and undertaking love, not only for my native state, but for the old-time, staunch and vigorous democ- racy. I hope you will not think my re- factions amiss. I feel in the mood for their mention, not by way of excuse for my appearance in a democratic assem- blaze, which l have never yet conceded to be necessary, but because my pres ence here may be regarded as not strict ly consistent with my determination to consider myself retired from the strug- gles and activities of political warfare. l fully recognize the natural order of things which brings changes in political leadership and council and I do not as- sume to have a place In either role, but nothing, l care not what can drive or tempt me from my adherence to the un- adulterated wholesome and beneficial principles of genuine democracy. I am told that these principles of good, old fashioned New Jersey brand are involv- cd in a canvass here, pending in my na- tive state, and in the state I delight to call my home; and have indulged my desire to come here and enjoy the stim- ulation and pleasure which I have never failed to find in hearty and unanimous democratic struggles.
 Pleased With Issue.
 'I am especially pleased to learn that tariff reform has been made the princi- pal issue in the canvass you have in hand. Never within my experience has there been time when this should be more earnestly, persistently and honest ly pressed upon the attention of our countrymen than now.
 "Of course custom duties must con- tinue to be the source of government maintenance until another plan is de- vised, but a tariff constructed for the purpose of protection as it's chief object, is at all times and in every feature of 1t an unjust and unfair burden upon the masses of our people; but the bold and arrogant departments of its unfairness and injustice in recent years and the new direction they have taken ought to especially arrest the attention and ap- prehension of every thoughtful sober minded citizen.
 It was not long ago that the demo- cratic party in advocating the reduction nf far riH fax ffaFa %1.~ of the government based it's insistence largely upon the right and Justice of cheapening for the masses of our people the prices of the necessities Of life, and withdrawing so much protection 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 steaIthy and unobserved manner, by adding them to their daily purchases that it was diff fcult to impress upon the consumers of the land the extent of those exactions While this process was going on, import ed articles not produced in this country, were charged with such high rates of duty, not only to greatly enhance their cost to the purchasing consumer, but to create surplus revenue beyond its reeds ill the government treasury. This sur plus represented clearly and dennltely a small proportion Of the unnecessary aGded expense of the living of our peo- pie on account of high protectin, and it's aggregate was ascertainable, but the amount of the exaction thus represented. was Insignificant as compared with the amount which protection permitted our oWn manufacturers to pocket from the consumer.
 Refers to 1887 Message.
 When, in 1887, the doctrine of the dem ocracy on tariff reform was embodied in an executive message to congress. though all the incidents and consequences of a high protective tariff were considered, it was hoped that the plain and palpa- ble fact that was then considered . large sulplus remaining in the government treasury which should be in the posses sion of the people, might as an object les- son from an unusual standpoint, effect ually present the situation. This was, therefore, in a sense made the keynote of the message in the opening passage as follows: of your legislative duties with condition of the national finance which imperative Iy demands immediate and careful con- sideration.
 "The amount of money exacted through the operation of present laws. from the industries and necessities of the people largely exceeded the sum necessary to meet the expenses of the government
 s.When we consider that the theory of our institutions guaranteed to every citizen the full enjoyment of all the fruits of his industry and enterprise with only such deduction as may be his share towards the careful and economical maintenance of the government, which protects him. it is plain that the exac- ton of more than this is indefensible extortion, and culpable betrayal of American fairness and justice" After commenting on tarin operations from this standpoint, there followed a condemnation of the policy and law that made an unnecessary accumulation i'm the treasury of the peoples money possible; and this was introduced in these words:
 But our present tarin laws, the vi- cious. ineouitable and illogical source of