Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-09-10

that botn sides should bring IN any eyl-
dence they might have to affirm or dis
pute the contention that the Democratic
platform adopted at St Louis did not
really mesn what 1t said, but should be
taken In the light of the personal views
Of the Democratic leaders themselves
When the evening came for the ad-
journed shop-taik. the Democratic spon-
sor produced some extracts from the Con-
gressioual Record, going to show that
just ten years ago Senators German.
Brice, Camden. Smith. Mcpherson, Muir
ply and others. all Democrats. held up
the Wilson tariff bill. which had been
passed by Bryan and his associates in
the House OF Representatives, and made
II much more of a protection measure
than it originally was.
Cieveiand's Letter.
Some impression was made by this rec
ord. but it was almost completely dissi-
pated by two documents One Of these
was the letter written by Grover Cleve-
land while President OF the United
States. to Gen. Catchings OF Mississippi.
denouncing the action of German and
his associates "perhdy and dishonor."
IL was further shown that at the St
Louis convention the New Jersey deiega-
ton. which was controlled In the interest
OF Grover CleveiaLd by James Smith.
this same Democratic protection Senator.
voted solidly on the first ballot for Par
ker, and Mr.. Cleveland himself, in a
published interview before the conven-
ton. came out for Parker as the most
available Democratic candidate.
Still more important In making up the
minds OF the men present at the meet
ing. was a fortunate citation OF the con-
,r,a vla L.. ,#z h~ NJ of
1892. In that year, II will be remem-
bered. Grover Cleveland beat Benjamin
Harrison and the entire campaign was
fought out on the tariff issue. There
was no equivocation then. Mr.. Cleveland
stood for free trade, and Gen. Harrison
for protection.
The Republicans In their convention
adopted 4 protection plank which Is a
clear exposition of the constant principle
Of the party for the last generation, and
which reads;
we believe that all articles which
cannot be producea in the United States.
except lux uries. should be admitted free
OF duty. and that on all imports coming
into competition with the products of
American labor, there should be levied
duties equal TO the difference between
wages abroad and at home"
Like the tariff declaration of this year.
this plank met the approval OF the iron
men who were gathered together to dis
cuss the tariff. and the Democrats among
them freely admitted that 1t was frank
and courageous.
Openly for Free Trade.
On the other hand, there was some
thing OF a sensation among the men when
one Of their number read the straight
forward and equally coura seous declara-
ton of the Democratic platform of 1892,
which openly pronounces for free trade.
and which declares protection to bs not
only unjust but Illegal. This plank reads
as follows:
I'VE declare II to be q fundamental
principle OF the Democratic party that
the Federal government has no constitu-
tionai power to impose and collect tariff
duties, except for the PURPOSE of rsve-
nue. only"
1t was this plank AMI the fact that
Mr.. Cleveland had been elected upon 1t.
which Influenced the shop-taik meeting
into nm Informal but none the less bind
ing decision to the effect that tho Repub-
lican position on the tariff. with its con
sistent pledge for protection. coupled
with the Democratic position on the
tariff. and its consistent record for free
trade. made the issue a perfectly plain
one. which could not be disguised by any
political appeal. and which must be de-
cided By the working man without regard
to other issues which do not directly con-
cern their interests.
I'VE must choose between protection
and free trade" said the eldest man in
the party. for there was no chairman.
IF we believe in protection, we must
vote for Roosevelt. IL we believe in free
trade We must vote for Parker, and that
ls all there il about It."