Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-10-05

mind. Among these are: Tariff reform,
imperialism, economical administration
and honesty In the public service. l
shall briefly consider these aud some
others within the necessarily prescribed
limits of this letter. ~
imperialism. .isas
| II we would retain our Liberties and
constitutional rights unimpaired we can
not permit or tolerate Mt any time ornfor
any purpose the arrogation OF unconsti-
tutional powers by the executive branch
Of our government. We should be ever
mindful of the words of Webster, Lib
erty Is only to be preserved by maintain
ing constitutional restraints and just di-
visions of political powers"
Already the national government has
become centralized beyond any point
contemplated or imagined by the franz
ers of the constitution. How tremen-
dously all this has added to the power OF
the President! 1t has developed from
year to year until it almost equals that
Of many monarchs.. The magnitude Of
the country and its diversity of inter
ests and population would enable de-
termined, ambitious and able executive,
unmindful OF constitutional limitations
and fired with the lust of power, to 60
far In the usurpation Of authority and
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of personal power
before the situation could be fully appre
ciated or the people be aroused.
The issue Of imperialism which has
been thrust upon the country involves a
decision whether the law of the land OF
the rule of individual caprice shall gov
ern. The principle OF Imperialism may
give rise to brilliant, startling, dashing
results, but the principle Of democracy
holds in check the brilliant executive and
subjects him to the sober. conservative
control Of the people.
The people of the United States stand
at the parting of the ways. Shall We
follow the footsteps of our fathers along
the paths Of peace, prosperity and con-
tentment, guided by the everything spirit
of the constitution which they framed
for US, or shall we go along other and
untried paths, hitherto Stunned by all,
following blindly new ideals, which.
though appealing with brilliancy to the
Imagination and ambition, may prove a
will o the wisp. leading us into difficult
ties from which 1t may be impossible to
extricate ourselves without lasting injury
to our national character and institu-
tons?
Tariff and Trusts.
Tariff reform is one of the cardinal
principles of the Democratic faith and
the necessity for 1t was never greater
than at the present time. 1t should be
undertaken at once in the interest Of all
our people.
The Dingley tariff is excessive in many
OF its rates and, as to them at least, un-
justly and oppressiyely burdens the peo-
pie. 1t secures to domestic manufacture
era. singly or In combination, the priv
ilege of exacting excessive prices at home
and prices far above the level of sales
made regularly by them abroad with
profit, thus giving bounty to foreign.
ers at the expense Of our own people.
Its unjust taxation burdens the people
generally, forcing them to pay excessive
prices for food, fuel, clothing and other
necessaries of life. 1t levies duties on
many articles not normally imported in
any considerable amount, which are
made extensively ut home, for which the
most extreme protectionist would hardly
justify protective taxes and which in
large amounts are exported Such duties
have been and will continue to be direct
incentive to the formation of huge indus.
trial combinations, which, secure from
foreign competition. are enabled to stife
domestic competition and practically to
monopolize the home market.
1t contains many duties imposed for
the express purpose only, as was openly
avowed. of furnishing basis for reduc-
tion by means Of reciprocal trade
treaties, which the Republican admins
tration, implicitly at least, promised to
negotiate. Having. on this promise, se-
cured the increased duties. the Republi-
can party leaders. spurred on by protect
ed interests, defeated the treaties nego
tiated by the executive, and now these
same interests cling to the benefit of
these duties which the people never in
tended they should have and to which
they have no moral right.
Even now the arguments most fire.
Quently urged In behalf of the Dingley
tariff and against tariff reform generally
Is the necessity Of caring for our infant
industries. Many Of these Industries,