Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-01-01
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81 ==OF THE DAY 81
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
rarin Declnration,
OF THE DAY

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Tariff Declarations.
The two sides of the tariff issue must
be considered in deciding whether the
Democratic position or the Republican
Is for the best interest Of the majority
Of the people. The Republican national
convention declared in 1855: 1--WE are
uncompromisingly in favor of the
American system of protection" In
1892 it said: 1--WE reaf1irm the Amer
lean doctrine Of protection In 1896 1t
said: I'VE renew and emphasize our
allegiance to the policy of protection
as the bulwark of American Industrial
independence and the foundation Of
American development and prosperity"
In 1900 1t said: I'VE renew our faith
in the policy of protection to American
labor; in that policy our industries
have been established, diversified and
maintained. By protecting the home
market competition has been stimulated
and production cheapened." In 1904 1t
said: Protection which guards and
develops our Industries is cardinal
policy of the Republican party. The
measure of protection should always at
least equal the difference in the cost
of production at home and abroad. We
insist upon the mai q nance Of the prin-
ciples of protection, and, therefore,
rates of duty should be readjusted only
when conditions have so changed that
the public interest demands their alter
alton" The same platform also said:
"a Democratic tariff has always been
followed by business adversely; Re
publican tariff by business prosperity"
The present panic which is producing
business adversely shows that Republic
can platforms are not to he relied on
when attempting TO forecast the future,
and the history Of the panics since the
war shows that the panic Of 1872 was
under Republican administration, and
a Republican tariff for protection. The
panic Of 1923 was in full blast before
Mr.. Cleveland was elected, and the
United States treasury was left by the
Harrison administration practically
bankrupt. The semi-panic Of 1901,
when prices of commodities and of
stocks and bonds rapidly declined and
factories were closed or reduced their
output, was under Republican auspices,
and the present high protective tariff.
The present panic, perhaps the most
disastrous in Its consequences that ever
occurred, has followed the boast that a
Republican tariff has always been fol-
lowed by business prosperity" Such
are the declaration of the Republican
| party, and the undesirable results Of Its
tariff policy.
The Democratic position on the tariff
IN 1876 was: I'VE demand that all Gus
tom house taxation shall be only for
revenue" In 1880: "a tariff for rev.
enue only" In 1884: 1.-THE Democracy
pledges itself to reduce taxation to the
lowest limit consistent with due regard
to the preservation of the faith of the
nation to its creditors and pensioners. .
In 1888 the platform of 1884 wass re-
affirmed and further declared: ut Is
repugnant to the creed of Democracy
that by such taxation the cost Of the
necessaries Of life should be unjustifia-
bly, Increased to all our people. Judged
by Democratic principles the interests
Of the people are betrayed when by I'M
necessary taxation trusts and combina-
lions are permitted to exist, which,
while unduly enrichlng the few that
combine rob the body of our citizens
by depriving them Of the benefits OF
natural competition. Every Democratic
rule of governmental action is violated
when, through unnecessary taxation, a
vast sum Of money, far beyond the
needs Of an economical administration,
is drawn from the people and the chan
nels of trade, and accumulated as a
demoralizing surplus in the national
treasury" In 1892: Eve denounce
the Republican protection as fraud, a
robbery Of the great majority of the
American people for the benefit of the
few. We declare it to be a fundalnen-
tai principle Of the Democratic party
that the Federal Government has no
constitutional power to impose and COL
lect tariff duties, except for the purpose
OF revenue only, and we demand that
the collection of such taxes shall be
limited to the necessities of the Gov
eminent when honestly and econom.
ically administered" In 1896: < 1--WE
hold that tariff duties should be levied
for purposes of revenue, such duties to
be SO adjusted as to operate equally
throughout the country, and not dis
eliminate between class or section. and
that taxation should be limited by the
needs of the Government, honestly and
economically administered. We de-
nounce as disturbing to business the
Republican threat to restore the Nc
Kinley law, which has twice been con-
demned by the people in national elec-
tions, and which, enacted under the
false plea Of protection to home indus
try, proved prolific breeder of trusts
and monopolies, enriched the few at the
expense of the many, restricted trade
and deprived the producers of the great
American staples of access to their
natural markets"
In 1900: 1--WE condemn the Dingley
tariff law as trust breeding measure,
skilfully devised to give the few fayors
which they do not deserve and to place
upon the many burdens which they
should not bear" In 1904: 1.-THE Dem
ocratlc party has been, and will con-
tinue to be, the consistent opponent Of
that class Of tariff legislatien by which
certain interests have been permitted
through congressional favor to draw a
heavy tribute from the American peo-
pie. This monstrous peryersion Of
| those equal opnortunIties which orr no