The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-26
Democrat Candidate for PreSi-
dent Issues His Reply
To the Notification of His Nom-
inatiOn at ST. Lofis.
ACCEPTS CHALLENGE.
Says He Will Revoke Order No
7S if Elected.
Says Tariff Is a Tax and Should
Be Reduced.


To the Honorable Champ Clark and
Others, Committee, etc.
Gentlemen:-In my response to your
committee, al the formal notification
proceedings, referred to some matters
not mentioned in this letter. 1 desire
that these be considered as incorpora-
| ted herein. and regret that lack OF
space prevents specific reference to
them all. I wish here, however, again
to refer to my views there expressed
as to the gold standard, to declare
again my unqualified belief in said
| standard, and to express by apprecia-
ton of the action of the convention in
reply to my communication upon that
subject.
Grave public questions are pressing
for decision. The Democratic party
| appeals to the people with confidence
| that its position on these questions will
| be accepted and endorsed at the polls.
/ While the issues involved are numer-
| Gus, some stand forth pre-eminent in
the public mind. Among these are
| tariff reform, Imperialism, economical
lie service. L shall briefly consider
| these and some others within the nee
essarily prescribed limits of this let
| ter.
Imperialism.
While I presented my views at the
proceedings COIlCSIDlIlS lniS
vital issue, the overshadowing import
ance of this question impels me to re-
| fer to it again. The issue is often
times referred to as Constitutionalism
VS.. Imperialism.
If we would retain our liberties and
constitutional rights unimpaired, we
cannot permit or tolerate, at any time
or for any purpose, the arrogation of
tive branch of our government We
should be ever mindful of the words
of Webster, Liberty is only to be pre-
served by maintaining constitutional
restraint and just divisions of political
powers"
Already the national government has
become centralized beyond any point
contemplated Or imagined by the
trainers of the constitution. How tre-
mendously all this has added to the
power of the president! 1t has devel-
oped from year to year until it almost
equals that of many monarchs. While
the growth of our country and the
magnitude of interstate interests may
seem to funish a plausible reason for
this Capitalization of power, yet these
same facts afford the most potent rea-
son why the executive should not be
permitted to encroach upon the other
departments of the government, and
assume legislative, or other powers, not
expressly conferred by the constitution.
The magnitude of the country and its
diversity of interests and population
would enable a determined, ambitious
stitutional limitations and fired with
the lust of power. to go far in the US
urpation of authority and the ag-
grandeizment of personal power be-
fore 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
or the rule of individual caprice shall
govern. 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 So
ber, conservative control of the pep
pie.
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 cOntentment, guided by the ever
living spirit of the constitution when
they framed for us, or shall we go
along other and untrled paths, h1ther-
to Stunned by all, following blindly
new ideals, which, though appealing
ambition, may prove will O. the wisp.
leading us into difficulties from which
it may be impossible to extricate our
selves without lasting injury to our
national character and institutions?
The Tariff and Trusts.
Tariff reform is one of the cardinal
principles of the Democratic faith,
and the necessity for it 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
rrany of its rates. and. as to them at
least. unjustly and OppressiVely bur-
dens the people. 1t secures to do
mestic manufacturers, singly or in
coEa bination. the privilege of exacting
excessive prices at home and prices
far above the level of sales made
regularly by them abroad with profit,
thus giving a bounty to foreigners at
the expense of our own people. Its
In Just taxation burdens the people
generally, forcing them to pay excess
sive 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 at home,
for which the most extreme prOtec-
zionist would hardly justify protective
taxes and which in large amounts are
exported. Such duties have been and
will continue to be a direct incentive
to the formation of huge industrial
combinations, which, secure from for
eign competition. are enabled to
stife domestic competition and prac-
tically to monopolize the home mar
ket.
1t contains many duties imposed for
the express purpose only, as was
openly avowed, of furnishing a basis
for reduction by means of reciprocal
trade treaties, which the Republican
administration, impliedly at least,
promised to negotiate. Having, on this
promise. secured the increased duties,
the Republican party leaders, spurred
on by protected interests, defeated
the treaties negotiated by the execu-
tive, and now these same interests
cling to the benefit of these duties
which the people never intended they