Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-08-20

PIE. whether the uSurpation be by Off
Gals representing one OF the three. grea
departments OF government or by a body
OF men acting without a commission from
the people -
lmpatence OF the restraints Of law n,
well as of Its delays is becoming moro
and more manifest from day to dav
WITHIN the past few years many Instances
nave been brought to our attention where
III oiterent parts OF our beloved country
supposed criminals have been seized and
PuniSned by mob. Notwithstanding the
TACT that the constitution of each state
guarantees TO every person within it's
jurisdiction that his life his liberty or
ms property shall not be taken from him
without due process of law
In struggle between EMPLOYERS and
employees dynamite is said to have been
used by the latter. resulting in the loss ~
life and the destruction of property The
perpetrators OF this offenSe against the
laws OF God and man and all others on
gagged in the conspiracy with them shout,
attor due trial and conviction have had
meted out to them the most rigorous nun
ishment known to the law. This crime.
added perhaps to others, led to the forma-
ton of committee of citizens that with
the support of the military authority de-
ports from the state without trial persons
suspected of belonging to the organiza-
uon or which the perpetrators of the dy-
Mantle outrages were supposed TO be
members In both cases the reign of law
gave way to the reign of force These
Illustrations present some evidence of
the failure of government to protect the
cluzen and his property. which not only
justified the action of your convention in
TINS regard. but made IL it's duty to call
attention to the fact that constitutional
guarantees are violated whenever any
citizen is denied the right to labor. to ac-
Qulre and to enjoy property or to reside
where his interests or inclination may de-
termine. and the fulfllment of the assur-
ance to rebuke and punish all denials OF
THESE rights, whether brought about by
INDIVIDUALS or government agencies
snouId be enforced by every official and
supported by every citizen. The essence
or good government lies in strict OBJ
servance of constitutional limitations en-
iorcement of law and order and rugged
opposition to all encroachmSnt upon the
sovereignty of the people.
The foregoing suggestions but emnba
size the distinction which exists between
our own and many other forms of gov
eminent. 1t has been well said in SUBJ
stance that there are but two powers in
government-one the power of the sword
sustained by the hand that yields it and
the other the power of the law sustained
by an enlightened public sentiment The
difference in these powers is the differ
ehce between republic such as ours
based on law and a written constitution
supported by intelligence, virtue and pa
triotlsm, and monarchy sustained by
force exerted by an individual, uncon-
troiled by laws other than those made or
sanctioned by him. One represents con-
stitutionalism, the other Imperialism
The present tariff law is unjust In its
operation, excessive In many of it's rates
and so framed in particular instances as
10 exact inordinate profits from the peo-
pie. So well understood has this view be-
come that many prominent members of
the Republican party and at least two of
its state conventions have dared to voice
the general sentiment on that subject
Ihat party seems, however, to be coll
lectively able to harmonic only upon a
plank that admits that revision may from
time to time be necessary but IL is so
phrased that 1t is expected to be salts
factory to those in favor of an increase
of duty, to those who favor a reduction
thereof and to those opposed to any
change whatever
Judged by the record OF performance
rather than that of promise on the part
OF that party in the past. il would seem as
II the outcome i'm the event OF it's success
would be to crafty the latter class. With
absolute control of both the legislative
and executive departments of the govern
ment since March 4, 1897, there has been
neither reduction nor attempt at re-
duction in tariff duties. IL is not unreal
sonable to assume in the light of that rec
ord that a future congress OF that party
VIII not undertake revision of the tariff
downward in the event that it shall re-
coive an Endorsement of its past course on
that subject by the people 1t is a fact
and should be frankly conceded that
should our party bc successful in the COM
ing contest W. ~ aaot h0~e 20 secure n
majority IL the senate during the next
four years. and hence we shall be unable
to secure any modification I'm the tariff
save that to which the Republican ma
Jority in the senate may consent. While
therefore we are unable to give assur-
anCes of relief to the people from such
excessive duties as burden them, IL is due
TO them that we should state our position
10 be in favor OF a reasonable reduction of
the tariff, that we believe that 1t is de-
manded by the best interests OF both man.
ufacturer and consumer and that n wise
and bencficent revision of the tariff can
be accomplished as soon as both branches
or congress and an executive In favor
OF ii are elected without creating that
sense OF uncertainty and instability that
has on other occasions manifested itself
This can be achieved by providing that
such reasonable period shall intervene
between the date OF the enactment OF the
statute making a revision and the date OF
its enforcement as shall be deemed SUM-
cient for the industry or business affect
ed by such revision to adjust itself TO the
changes and new conditions imposed. So
confident am l In the belief that the de-
mand or the people for a reform OF the
tariff is just that l indulge the hope that
should Democratic house OF representa-
tives and a Democratic executive be cho-
sen by the people even n Republican SEN
ate may heed the warning and consent to
give at least some measure of relief to the
people.
The combinations, popularity called
trusts, which aim to secure n monopoly
OF trade in the necessaries of life as we'll
as i'm those things that are employed upon
the farm in the factory and In many 9TH
er fields OF industry have been encour-
aged and stimulated by excessive tariff
duties. These operate to furnish q SUBJ
stantial market In the necessities OF
eighty millions OF people by practically
excluding competition. With so large a
market and highly yemunerative prices
continuing long after the line of possible
competition would naturally be reached
the temptation OF all engaged in the same
business to combine SO as TO prevent COM
petition at home and a resulting reduc-
ton OF prices has proved Irresistible in a
number of cases. All men must agree
that the net result of enacting laws that
foster such inequitable conditions is most
unfortunate for the people as a whole
and 1t would seem as il all ought to agree
that the effective remedy would be to APP
propriateiy modify the offending law The
growth of monopoly, of which complaint
Is justly made, cannot be laid at the
doors OF the courts of this country The
decisions of the supreme court Of the
L a fnS hA -