The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-11-17
TARIFF FOB REVENUE ONLY

! And let them keep who can.
"A TARIFF FOB REVENUE ONLY
We hear more Of candidates for the
Democratic nomination for the Presiden-
cv in 1904 than we hear Of the plat
form upon which the candidate IS to
stand. 4 discussion Of candidates before
principles puts the cart before the horse.
There is an element in the Democratic
party to-day that believes the opportunity
for Democratic success IN 1901 hes IN
counting the support of men having spe-
cial interests to subserve. Some OF them
believe and others affect to believe that
the leaders on Wall street ere opposed to
right man" is named by the Democrats.
Therefore they are arguing that the Demo
cratic platform ought to be written with
a view of getting such support and a
candidate named who is Satisfactory" to
the Wall street interests. If the Demo
cratic party sacrifices its devotion to
popular rights and equal laws to cater to
these special interests. 1t Will lose It's
character and at the same time walk
Through a slaughter house to an open
grave"
There is no need in America for an
echo of the Republican party. The Demo
cratic party cannot win the support OF a
majority of the voters by becoming only
a modified form Of Republicanism, prom
ising to give a 50 per cent. instead Of a
ST per cent. tariff reduction and standing
in with the Wall street spectators and
trust manipulators. The friendship of
those interests would be fatal to the De-
mocracy. It is no doubt true that Mr..
Morgan and his associates resent Mr..
Roosevelt's attitude with reference to the
Northern Securities Company. Some Of
them charge all the recent slump" to the
Presidents attitude upon that monopoli-
Zation OF railroads.. and would ike to
punish him. If the Democrats will adopt
a straGdle platform on the tariff and
trusts and name a candidate who IS cheek
by fowl with The trusts-if it will thus
sell It's UllJu light lOI d plOl1liSC w Il
mess of pottage-no doubt it will get a
big campaign fund and the quiet assist
ance of some men who are accustomed to
vote with the Republicans. But for every
vote it would gain by such party per
fdy and party dishonor,' it would lose
a score of honest business men who see
in the trusts and in the present high tariff
a menace to business independence and
a tribute upon industry for the enrich
ment of the men who absorb the favors
of protection.
The duty of the Democracy is as plain
as a pike-staff. II its leaders will take
down the Tilden platform Of 1876 and copy
word for word its declarations on the
tariff and reform in the administration Of
government, with such additions and
changes as present conditions demand, it
will have a platform upon which every
true Democrat can stand. That platform
demanded in clearcut words "a tariff for
revenue only without any ifs" 'ors,"
lands or "buts.' The 1904 declaration
On the taE1u SlCUlu De III tHe SAME WOIuS,
there being only added the proof that
| the bulk Of the trusts have been built up
by the socialism known as protection. Such
a declaration will rally to the party the
hor socialism,, whether under the guise
OF Protection or General Distribution
1t will challenge the admiration of the
scholars and thinkers Of America who by
pen and voice will give aid TO spread the
truth Of the Democratic doctrine.
The spirit OF compromise now abroad
with reference to tariff reform is 4 seri-
Gus danger to Democratic success. The
Democrat who stands for "a tariff for
revenue with incidental protcction,' sur
renders the whole Democratic doctrine
upon tariff taxation, because then, instead
of discussing the question as one of prin-
ciple he must discuss it as one of per cent,
and juggle to see which section and in
terest can grab the most incidental pro
lection.
No, gentlemen of the Democratic party,
there is no safety in looking for success
to the gamblers of Wall street, who would
have the Democratic party to become a
mere echo OF Republican special privilege.
There is no hope. no honor, no credit in
abandoning the strong Democratic position
on the tariff in the hope Of getting the
votes Of men who want special privilege.
Such men know that by conviction and
profit the Republican party belongs to
them. They will encourage the Democrats
TO straddle. Then they Will put up the
money to expose tho Democratic incon-
sistency and laugh when a betrayed Dc.
mocracy IS defeated and left without
character or victory.
Democratic honor lies along the lines
laid down by Samuel J. Tilden and the
wise men who trained under his leader
tSliD. Lot the tariff p1apk road "a 70 riff