Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-03
OF GOVERNMENT
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the action of the present administra-
ton, which inflicted a wound upon our
national honor by it's disregard of the
rights OF the weaker nation, in order
Ito gain a doubtful credit for energy in
forwarding that great enterprise. Ter
ritOry of a neighboring republic, with
which we are at peace, was seized by a
band of revolutionists. protected by the
guns of the United States navy and
created into a state overnight. which
the president PROMPTLY recognized as
an independent nation. A gross Of
Tense against friendly republic which
it was helpless TO resent.
Imperialism.
These and many other unwarranted
things that belong more to an empire
than republic, have occurred under
the present administration and
brought deep concern and alarm to
thoughtful and patriotic minds. They
must be regarded as the first fruits
of Imperialism. and show how fast we
are drifting toward absOlutism and
centralized power. The effort of the
imperialist.c tendency of the republi-
can party upon our foreign affairs is
in opposition 10 the teachings OF the
founders of the republic. and so i'm
pressed was Washington with the i'm
portance of keeping alOOf from the af-
fairs of other nations, that in his fare
we'll address he warned his country
men especially against foreign en-
alliances. Imperialism is hurt
full and abhorrent in a free govern
ment and subversive of free inStitu-
tiOns. The policy of imperialism-if
| it can be said to have a policy-is
always dangerous to liberty. Its pow
ers are first exercised in far OFF terri
tory and on conquered people. but once
/ adopted for acquired and distinct pos
sessions, it becomes, sooner or later,
the rule of homo government. Liberty
and free government have always been
| Secured at the cost of great sacrifices,
but history teaches us that both can
| be easily lost without the knowledge
of the people.
Tariff.
Our federal constitution has appro-
priated TO the exclusive use of the gov
eminent the power of indirect taxation,
covered by the popular designation of
tariff duties" In excluding the states
from this domination 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 largely in
the direction of imposition of duties
upon imports. No one expects to
change this arrangement, which has
proven SO convenient in the general
government and so conducive to the in
tcrestS of the states, whose resort to
other sources of revenue is left I'M
ItrammelCd. Indirect taxation, how
ever convenient, needs, by reason of
its indirectness. to be watchfully guard
ed. lest abuse should attach themselves
unknown by the people.
That many of the existing tariff rates
are excessive and enable powerful
combines to eXtort unjust and oppres-
sive tribute from the people cannot be
lcOntTOverted. The tariff is undoubtedly
too high upon such articles as enables
the manufacturer to sell his products
abroad cheaper than at home. Steel
rails are a conspicuous example in this
respect. 1t is being admitted that they
are being made for SIS a ton. A few
years ago they were freely sold in this
country at ST. Il ton. They are now
selling at the mills here for home con.
sumption at SIS a ton. and for the for.
This unjust discrimination against our