Republicans generally favored a high tariff to protect American industries. American tariffs had been high since the Civil War, and by the 1880s the tariff brought in so much revenue that the government was running a surplus. 'We are on the eve of  very dark night, unless a return of commercial prosperity relieves popular discontent with what they believe  Democratic incompetence to make laws, and consequently  with Democratic Administrations anywhere and everywhere.' Republicans generally favored a high tariff to protect American industries. American tariffs had been high since the Civil War, and by the 1880s the tariff brought in so much revenue that the government was running a surplus. 'We are on the eve of  very dark night, unless a return of commercial prosperity relieves popular discontent with what they believe  Democratic incompetence to make laws, and consequently  with Democratic Administrations anywhere and everywhere.'