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Show lo his employer under cover of a ! generous solicitude for his wages,; while the fanner is learning that j the prices of his products are fixed j by l' -reign niii rkets, where he suffers from a competition invited j and built up by the system he is 1 asked to support. The struggle for unearned advantage, ad-vantage, at the doors of the Hov-eminent Hov-eminent tramples upon the rights of those who patiently rely upon assurance of American equality. Fvery governmental concession to clamorous favorili s invitesVorrnp-tion invitesVorrnp-tion in political a Hairs by encouraging encour-aging the ex pen il it u re of money In debauch suffrage in support of a policy directly favorable to private a nd scllish gai n. This in the end must strangle patriotism and weaken popular confidence in the rectitude of republican institutions. Though the subject of tariff legislation involves a question of markets, it also involves a question of morals. YVe can not with impunity im-punity permit injustice to taint the spirit of right and equity, which is the life of our Republic; and we shall fail to reach our National destiny if greed and selfishness lead the way. Recognizing these truth a the National Democracy will seek, b' the application of just and sound principles, to equalize equal-ize to our people the blessings due them from the 'government they support, lo promote among our countrymen a closer community of interest cemented by patriotism and National pride, and to point out a fair field, where diversified American enterprise may grow and thrive in the wholesome atmosphere of American industry, ingenuity and intelligence. 1 FHKK THA.DK PLATFORM. Tariff reform is still ourpurpost Though we oppose the theory that tarilf laws may bepassed having for their object the granting of discriminating and'unfair governmental govern-mental aid Lo private ventures, v. e wage no exterminating war against any American interests. We believe a readjustmtnt can be accomplished ac-complished in accordance with the principles we profess, without disaster or demolition. We believe be-lieve that the advantages of freer raw materials should be accorded to our manufacturers, and we con template a fair and careful distribution distri-bution of necessary tariff burdens rather than the precipitation of free trade. We anticipate with calmness calm-ness the misrepresentation of our mo'ives and purposes, instigated by a selfishness which seeks to hold in unrelenting grasp its unfair un-fair advantages under present tariff laws. Wc will rely upon the intelligence of our fellow countrymen to reject the charge CLEVEUND AND TARIFF. Afial- (hi' Great Rc-oniier lias to Say. "WE FEEL THE liililiM OF THESE Tariff Taxes Too Palpably to be Persuaded Per-suaded by any Sophistry that they Do nut Exist or are Paid by Foreigners." THE TARIFF IS A TAX. Tariff legislation presents a familiar form of federal taxation. Such legislation results ne surely in a tax upon the daily life of our people as the tribute paid directly into the hand of the tax gatherer. We feel the burden of : these tariff tnxes too palpably to be i persuaded by any sophistry that they do not exist, or are paid by . foreigners. j Such taxes, representing a ! diminution of the property rights 1 of the people, are only justifiable when laid and collected for the purpose of maintaining our government govern-ment and furnishing the means for the accomplishment of its legitimate legiti-mate purpose and function. This is taxation under .the operation of a tariff for revenue. It accords with the profession of America free institutions, and its justice and honesty answer the test supplied sup-plied by a correct appreciation of the principles upon which these institutions in-stitutions rest. This theory of tariff legislation manifestly enjoins en-joins strict economy in public expenditure ex-penditure and their limitation to legitimate public uses, inasmuch as it exhibits as absolute extortion as any exaction by way of taxation from the substance of the people beyond the necessity of a careful and proper administration of the govern ment. Opposed to this theory the dogma is now boldly presented that tariff taxation is justifiable for the express purpose and intent of thereby promoting special in -terest and enterprise. Such a proposition is so clearly contrary to the spirit of our constitution and so directly encourages the disturbance dis-turbance by selfish and greed of -patriotic sentiment, that its statement state-ment would rudely shock our people, peo-ple, if they had not already been insidiously allured from the safe landmarks of principle. Never have honest desire for National growth, patriotic devotion to country,, and sincere regard for those who toil been so betrayed to the support of a pernicious doctrine. In its behalf the plea that our infant industries should be fostered did service until discredited by our stalwart growth; then followed the exigencies of a terrible war which made our people heedless of the opportunities for ulterior schemes afforded by their willing and patriotic pa-triotic payment of unprecedented tribute; and now, after a long period of peace, when our overburdened over-burdened countrymen ask for a restoration to a fuller enjoyment of their incomes and earnings, they are met by the claim that tariff taxation for the sake of protection pro-tection is an American system, the continuance of which is necessary in order that high wages may be paid to our workingmen, and a home market be provided for our home products. FHOTKCTION rNIWflt. These pretenses should no longer deceive. The truth is that suri a system is directly antagonized antagon-ized by every sentiment of justice and fairness of which the Americans Ameri-cans are pre-eminently proud, ft is also true that while our workingmen work-ingmen and farmers can. the least of all our people, defend themselves them-selves againnt the harder home life which suel; tariff" taxation decrees, the workingmen, suffering from the importation and em piny ment of pauper labor, instigated by his profpffsed friends, and seeking security for his interest in organ ixed co-operation, still waits for a division of the advantages secured that a party comprising a majority of our people is planning the destruction des-truction or injury of American interest; and we know they cannot he frightened by the speetor of impossible im-possible free trade. Publish the above extract from Cleveland's letter of acceptance you will oblige, A. 1). |