The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-10-04
Panama

the inception OF the great work OF
building the canal that is to join the
two great oceans: but we deprecatc
the action of the present admlnlstra-
ton. which inflicted wound upon
our national honor by its disregard
of the rights of a weaker nation, in
order to gain doubtful credit for
energy in forwarding that great en-
terprise. Territory Of a neighborlne
republic, with which we are at peace,
was seized by band OF revolution
lists, protected by the guns OF the
United States navy and erected into
a state overnight, which the presi-
dent promptly recognized as an in
dependent nation. 4 gross offense
against a friendly republic which it
was helpless to resent.
Imperialism.
These and many other unwarranted
things that belong more to all en-
pire than a republic, have occurred
under the present administration. and
BROUGHT deep concern and alarm to
thoughtful and patriotic minds. They
must be regared as the first fruits
of imperialism, and show how fast
we are drifting toward absolutlsm
and centralized power. The effect
of the imperialistic tendency OF the
republican party upon our foreign
affairs is in opposition to the teach
ings of the founders of the republic,
and so impressed was Washington
with the Importance OF keeping aloot
from the affairs of other nations, that
in his farewell address he warned his
countrymen especially against for
eign entangling alliances. lmper-
ialisrn is hurtful and abhorrent in a
free government and subverslve OF
free institutions. Fhe policy of inn
perialism-if it can be said to have
a policy-is always dangerous to
liberty. Its powers are first eSer-
cised in far off territory and on con-
ouered people, but once adopted tor
acquired and distant possessions, 1t
becomes, sooner or later, the rule
of the home government. Liberty
and free government have always
been secured at the cost of great sac
rihces, but history teaches us that
both can be easily lost without the
knowledge of the people.
Tariff.
!Our federal constitution has ap-
propriated to the exclusive use OF
the general government the power
of indirect taxation. covered by the
popular designation of tariff duties"
In excluding the states from this do
main of taxation. there is an implied
and wise partition Of the taxing
power between the states and the
federal government. Except in the
exigencies of war the taxing power
has been exercised by congress large
lv in the direction of the imposition
of duties upon imports No one ex-
poets to change this arrangement,
which has proven so convenient TO
the general government and SO con-
ducive to the interests OF the states,
whose resort to other sources OF rev.
enue is left untrammeled. Indirect
taxation, however convenient, needs,
bv reason OF its indirectness. to be
watchfully guarded, lest abuses
should attach themselves unknown
by the people.
That many OF the existing tariff
rates are excessive and enable pow
erful combinations to eNtort unjust
and oppressive tribute from the peo-
Dle cannot be controverted. The
tariff is undoubtedly too high upon
such articles as enables the nlanutact-
urer to sell his products abroad
cheaper than at home. Steel rails
are a conspicuous example in this
respect. 1t is admitted that they
are being made for SIS ton. A few
wears ago they were freely sold in
this country for SI7 a ton. Ihey