Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1892 — DEMOCRACY CAN WIN. [ARTICLE]

DEMOCRACY CAN WIN.

EMINENT MEN POINT THE WAY TO SUCCESS. Prominent Democrats at the Reform Club Banquet Give Their View* on Leading: Issues— Tariff Bill* that Should Be Introduced. Talks at the Banquet. At the annual dinner of the Reform Club in New York, William F. Vilas, Senator from Wisconsin, responded to the toast “The Presidency of 1892.” He said the subject was being considered by millions in the streets and the columns of the press. The speaker scored th 3 Republicans for what he termed their specious schemes. He recommended organization, the use of all proper means, the enlistment of all justifiable influences. He deprecated impractical methods, and said that Democrats would always be outmatched in fraudulent acts by Republicans. Mr. Vilas told of many ugly things for which the Republican party was responsible. The Democratic party would be false to every principle of life if it be not truly of the people, standing for the common good, bending to no man. The way to win the national government is the good, old-fashioned Democratic way; of honestly deserving that trust at the hands of the people as their wisest choice for their own good and the unerring public judgment will best discover that deserving in faithful adherence to the Democratic party. He concluded as follows: It is for the Democratic party to win if it ■wllL We do not look upon the Democratic party as the be-all and end-all of endeavor, but as a great Instrumentality for the benefit of our country. We want no platforms for the sake of words. We do not care to formulate a policy merely to win an election. But we want to win an election to execute a wise policy- The Democratic party must lead and win those reforms or years of despairing will pass over our heads. Now is the day and now is the hour. Men and brethren of New York, it is upon you in this hour of national exigency to decide whether the Democratic party shall go forward to a great end, to true prosperity, by the establishment of justice and the equal rights of aIL I believe, 1 feel. 1 we shall not lose patriotism, and determin- j ation will subdue differences, repress am- ! bitions, guide our obvious counsel, and we : may justly hope to see the Democratic party true to its name and origin, sincere in heart and strength, in purpose wisely gathered, In harmonious co-operation, behind a leader, loved and trusted by the people, to go forward to the deliverance of labor, the promotion of our true prosperity, the country’s honor and glory, by the establishment of justice and equal rights for all, and we shall see the fifth century of the new world begin with a firm, advancing step by the great republic in that path of human progress where with flashing orb the queen shall head the grand procession around the world.

< Mr. Springer was the next speaker and began his remarks by pointing out the difference between the Wavs and Means Committee of the House of Representatives and the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Commons of England, continuing in substance as follows: I presume, however, tnat you are not concerned so much about the history of the Ooaamittee of Ways and Means in this country and in England as you are about the opinions and purposes of the Democratic members of that committee in the present House of Representatives. 1 hare bo authority to speak for them, nor can 1 state what measures will be reported by the committee hereafter. No definite action has been taken by a majority of the committee up to this time. They will' at an early day bring forward for tbe conslderation of tbe House such measures In referereacc to the tariff as will in their judgment best meet the requirements of tbe situation and respond to tbe demand of the country for a genuine reform of tbe tariff. Any measure for the reform of the tariff, as j this is a political question which would pass the House of Representatives, would in all probability fail in tbe Senate, or if it flwld pass the Senate, would be vetoed by the President. A general revision of tbe tariff therefore, by this Congress is utterly Impracticable. Tbe position of the Democratic party in reference to tariff reform is scarcely a subject of doubt. What the Democratic party would do if the lawmaking power were in its control is well known. It will be the duty of every Democrat and tariff reformer of tbe United States at the ensuing election for President and Representatives in Congress to use every effort to secure a Democratic President and a Democratic Congress. If this Issue is kept steadily In view and is made paramount to all others there can scarcely be any doubt of the result In fact, upon this issue success Is already assured. The question which most concerns the Democratic majority

in the House of Representatives, and tbe solution of which Is especially Imposed upon the Democratic members of the Wavs and Means Committee, Is what can be done during this session which will Improve our chances of success, and if possible bring some immediate relief to the people. It Is my opinion, and I speak for mjself alone, that much good can be accomplished by the Introduction and passage through the House of separate -bills having for their object the enlarging of the free list, the securing of free raw material, and the cheapening of the mauy necessaries of life to the great mass of the consumers of the country. Something should be proposed also which would more clearly defino the position of the Democratic party on the subject of reciprocity. Our party is in favor of that kind of reciprocity which will bring reciprocal benefits. If free trade with some countries, or lower duties upon some articles of commerce is desirable, why not extend the principle to all countries alike situated, and where important results ■nay be anticipated. I would favor the admission into this country of all the products of the soil and mines of Canada and Mexico and all the products manufactured in

either country from tho products of each country or the United States or of materials which might be imported into the United States free of duty if similar products of the United States could be admitted into those countries I do not know what position will be taken on this subject by the Committee of Ways and Means, or by the House itself, but I am confident that some measure will be proposed which will be more in harmony with the views and policies of Democrats generally than that which is contained in section three of the McKinley act, nor can I state what measures generally will be adopted, by the committee and reported to the House for its consideration. Every member of the committee in my judgment earnestly desires to do that which will best promote the public weal. They are all genuine tariff-reformers and will do that which they deem best to promote this great reform. They may differ among themselves and with others upon methods, but there is no difference among them, so far as I know, npon tho great question which has become a cardinal principle of Democratic faith. I am proud to be associated with gentlemen so distinguished for their ability. for their patriotism, and their devotion to the cause of tariff reform. They will not disappoint their constituents who are looking to the Democratic party for relief from tbe burdens of high protective tariff. I ask of all true Democrats and tariff-reformers that our motives may not be impugned, and that criticism upon our acts and upon the measures which we will bring forward will be reserved'until our work is done, and when it is finished I hope and believe it will receive the approbation of the people and be ratified at the polls November next by the election of a Democratic President and a Vice President and a Congress Democratic In both branches. Bepresentative Breckinridge, the next speaker, referred to the elections of 1891, and declared that the only issue was the -question of the tariff, and though but State officers were to be elected the question of tariff kept Democratic success up to the high mark of the year before. Mr. Breckinridge next referred to the depleted state of the United States Treasury, and made a comparison between the revenues and disbursements, and showed that $30,000,000 of last yew's appropriations had not yet been paid. Relative to the MoKinley bill and the time it had been in force, he said: Onr ai porta have exceeded our Imports,

presumably an evidence of profit, by nearly 9130,000,000. Yet the commercial failures for the last twelve months are roundly $198,000,000, compared with $176,000,000 for the rnuch-talked-of hard year before, an increase of 13 per cent., and for the same period the failures have Increased 10 per cent Congressman Warner said: It is tlio essential of the tariff tax that it is levied on consumption and not on wealth —that it is paid In the increased price of whatever the citizen finds it necessary to have. It is a tax which stands by the cradle, and as every babe enters tbe household vigilantly and pitilessly Increases fts father’s share of public burdens, but which sleeps unmoved while bond Is piled upon bond in the strong box and broad acres are added acres outside Is it fair thus to bar tbe necessities of the poor and leave untouched the accumulations of the rich? Is it fair thus to burden the unfortunate In proportion to his wants and thus to let the miser go free in proportion to his stinginess? Is it fair thus to discourage the rearing of children and lliua.to encourage the breeding of dollars? There is no reason why self-supporting men should heed the shrill clamor of those who croak disaster. You will recall how when Coeur do Leon escaped from his Austrian prison and the news came westward to his kingdom, his people, devouring courtiers that stood about the usurper, Joha, turned pale and passed about the word: “The devil is broken loose.” But through the length and breadth of England the same news was passed as a holiday benediction from village to village and church to church until to the humblest subject it came as a glad cry. “The true king Is coming again to his own.” And so the general downfall of the protective system, which the obstinacy of its beneficiaries is fast preparing, their startled cry, “The free-trade devil Is broken loose,” will be lost in the glad answer of a re-enfranchlsed nation. The people are coming to their own.