New-York tribune., 1904-09-26

To the Hon. Champ Clark and Others. Com
mittee, etc.
Gentlemen: In my response to your commit
tee at the formal notification proceedings. I
referred to some matters not mentioned in this
letter ] desire that these be considered as in
corporated herein and regret that lack Of space
here, however. again to refer to my views there
expressed to the gold standard, to declare
again my unqualified belief in said standard.
and TO express my appreciation OF the action OF
the convention in reply TO my communication
upon that subject
Grave public questions are pressing for de-
ctsiou Inc Democratic party appeals to the
people vita confidence that It's position these
questions viii be accepted and indOrsed at the
polls While the issues Involved are numerous
some stand forth pre-eminent in the public
mind Among these are tariff reform, imperial
ism. economical administration and honesty in
the public service. / shall briefly consider these
and some others within the necessarily pre-
scribed limits of this letter
IMPERIALISM
While presented my views at the notification
proceedings concerning this vital issue. the over
shadoWtng importance of this question tmpels
me to refer to IL again. The issue Is often
times referred to as Constitutionansm VS.. I'M
peraliSn.
II we would retain our liberties and constitu-
tional rights unimpaired, we cannot permit
tolerate. at any time or for any purpose the
aTrogation of unconstitutional powers by the ex-
ecutive branch of our government We should
be ever mindful of the words Of Webster. Lib
erty is only TO he preserved by maintaining con-
Stitutional restraints and Just divisions OF po-
htical powers"
Already the national government has become
centralized beyond any point contemplated or
imagined by the trainers OF the Constitution
How tremendously all this has added TO the
power Of the President II has developed from
year to year until il almost equals that Of many
mOnarChS. While the growth of country
and the magnitude of interstate interests may
seem TO furnish a plausible reason for this cen
the most potent reason why the executive should
not be permitted To erCrOaCh upon the other
departments or the government. and assume
legislative or other powers not expressly con-
ferred by the Constitution.
The magnitude of the country and its diver
sity of interests and population would enable
a determined, ambitious and able executive. un-
mindful Of constitutional limitations and fired
with the lust OF power. TO so far in the usurpa-
tion of authority and the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF
personal power before the situation could ne
fully appreciated 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 in
dividuaI 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 sub
jects him TO the sober conservative control or
the people
parting of the ways. Shall we follow the foot
steps of our fathers along the paths OF peace,
and cOntentment. guided by the ever
living spirit of the Constitution which they
framed for us 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 wilI-o'-the-wisp. leading us into diff
culties from which it may be impossible 20 eN-
tricate ourselves 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 1t
was never greater than at the present time. 1t
should be undertaken at once in the interest OF
all our people
rates and, as 10 them at least, untustly and op-
burdens the people II secures 10 do
mestic manufacturers. singly or In combination,
the privilege of exacting excessive prices AT
made regularly by them abroad with profit thus
giving a bounty 10 foreigners at the expense
of our own people. Its unjust taxation burdens
the people generally, forcing them to pay excess
sIve Drices for food fuel clothing and other nee
essaries of life. It levles duties on many arti-
cles not normally imported i'll any considerable
amount which are made extensively at 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
10 the formation of huge industrial cOmbina-
tions which secure from foreign competition.
are enabled to stifle domestic competition and
practically to mOnopolize the home market.
1t contains many duties imposed for the ex-
press purpose only, as was openly avowed OF
furnishing a basis FOR reduction by means of
trade treaties, which the Republican |
a adrninistratiOn, implicitly at least promised to
negotiate Having. ON this promise. secured |
the Increased duties, the Republican party lead
the treaties negotiated by the executive. and |
80, those same interests cline, to the benefit OF
these duties which the people never intended !
they should have and to which they have no
NOR W,.sn now the argument most frequently /
,,reed in behalf OF the DingIey tariff, and |
against tarin REFORM generally. is the necessity
OF caring for our infant industries. Many OF