Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1904-09-30

LETTER O Acceptance
Sept "a, 1904.
- the Hon. Champ Clark and Others,
Committee, Etc:
0entlemen-In my response to your
eommittee at the formal notification
proceedings referred to some matters
not mentioned In thls letter. desire
that these bo onna1oeaed as incorporate
"a herein, andOeQDst that lack OF space
prevents specaa6 = reference to them
Ill. Il wish har& however, again 10 refer
10 my views these expressed as to the
gold standard, to declare again my IN
qualified belief In said standard and to
express my appreciation Of the action
OF the convention*in reply TO my COM
munication upon that subject.
Grave public questions are pressing
for decision. The Democratic party
appeals: to the people with ctnfidence
that its position ON these questions will
be accepted and Endorsed at the polls.
While the issues involved are numeeA
Qua. some stand forth pre- eminent tn
the public mind. Among these are
tariff reform, imperialism, economical
administration and honesty In the pub
lie service. shall briefly conebder
these and some others within tho nee
essarily prescribed limits Of this lettor.
Imperialism.
While I presented my views at tho
notification proceedings concerning this
vital issue. the overshadowing impor-
tanoe Of this question impels me- to re-
fer to it again. The Issue Ia often
Zines referred to as constituttonalism
versus Imperialism.
II we would retain our liberties and
constitutional rights uplmpaired We
cannot permit or tolerate at any time
o. for any purpose the arrogation OF
unconstitutional powers By the execu-
i've branch OF our government. We
should be ever mindful Of the words
OF Webster. Liberty = only Do DO 20:
served by maintaining constitutional
restraints and a just division OF polit-
teal powers"
Already the national government has
become centralized beyond any point
contemplated or imagined BY tho
founders of the constitution. How TIE
mendously all this has added to thu
power Of the PRESIDENT! It has devsl-
oped from year to year until 1t almost
equals that Of many monarchs. While
tho growth of our country and tho mag
lsftode of interstate interests may seem
% furnish a plausible reason for this
GENERALIZATION Of power, yet these same
facts afford the most potent reason
Why the executive should not be per-
m1tted to encroach upon the other de-
partments Of the government and as
sumo legislative or other powers not
s1pssssV conferred By the coostt&u-
ton.
The magnitude OF the country and
tn Diversity Of interests and popula-
ten would enable q determined, anubt-
taous and able executive. unmindfui Of
constitutional limitations and fred
with tho lust Of power. TO 60 tar IN
hapsuzpation Of authority and the
Acknowledgement OF personal power be-
tore tho situation could be fully appce-
dated or the people be aroused.
The issue Of imperialism which has
bosn thrust upon the country. involves
Q decision whether the law OF tho land
a. tho rule Of individual caprice shall
0D~e9n. The principle Of imperialism
nay give rise to brilliant. startling,
dash1nG results. but the principle OF
o1nocTacy holds In check the brilliant
s1eeut1ve and subjects him to the So
b1s, conservative control OF tho people,
The people of the United States
StAnd at the parting Of the ways
Shah We follow the footsteps OF our
1Athezs along the paths OF peace, pros
parity and contentment. guided BY the
EVER living spirit Of the constitution
which they framed for us, or shall We
- along other and untr1ed paths tith-
Deo ahunned by all, following blindly
new ideals which. though appealing
With br1lhancy to the Imagination and
ambition, may prove a w1ll-o' -the-wisp,
3sading rs into difficulties from which
q may be impossible to extrtcato our
R6lves without lasting injury to our
national character and institutional
~ Tarl8 and Trueks.
Tariff reform is one Of the cardinal
principles of the Democratic faith. and
th0 necessity for 1t was never greater
than at the present time 1t ah0alld he
undertaken ut once in the interest Of.
III our people. -.
The D1ngley tariff is excessive IN
many of its rates and. as to them at
least, unjustly and oppressively bur
dens the people. 1t secures to domes-
tho manufacturers, singly or In combi-
nation, the privilege OF exacting eK-
eess1ve prices at home and prices tar
above the level of sales made regular
y by them abroad with profit. thus
1ivtng bounty to foreigners at the