The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-09-24


county, pay the thousands ofdollars which they
should have paid long ago, II may be able to
make something Of in argument on this subject,
II had better take our advice and make them
..shell out' before it SAYS anything further OF
the subject. THE ONE HUNDRED QUIRES
OF BLANKS ordered by an opposition bodr8 Of
Commissioners, when A. S. Russell was clerk,
will, also, doubtless, be used up by the time
these deiauling gentlemen square their dupli-
Gates. So The Abolition organ had better ''~ah
little longer"
The Tariif-liOw the opposition treat il.
One OF the prominent issues of the opposition
in the present campaign, is the tariff. They
claim to be The especial friends and protectors
Of American industry, and pronounce worthless
any plan for lis support and assistance which
does not owe its origin 10 Black Republican
wisdom anC1 patriotism, But in the midst ofal
their proteslations, one fact is sufficient 10 show
The character Of the attachment they feel for
home industry, and stamp the whole tariff move
ment of the opposition as mere political con-
lrivance, scheme tor operating upon the mas
ses, and securing their votes for certain candi
dates on the day Of election. We allude 10 the
change oi front on the tariff question which
has been executed by the Opposition within
few years. The old Wing party, the real Ia
theF of the tariff in this country, boldly pro-
nounced for high rates of duty, protection for
the sake Of protection, and went down battling
for that distinctive but erroneous doctrine. In
1874, when the Opposition rallied under the
lead OF HENRY Clay, the originator of the So
called American system, they repudIated the
idea OF Tariff based upon the revenue princi-
pie, AID denounced the Democratic party as
enemies 10 the industry OF the country for
maintaining the constitutionality and correct
maintenance of the Government, and at the
same time protecting, encouraging, and deyelo-
9ng home industry and home manufactures
The basis Of the Democratic platform On the
subject Of Tariff during the campaign of 1874,
was letter written by JAMES X. Polk, the
candidate of the Democracy for President, TO
the late dsting ushed Judge of the District
Court of the United States for the Eastern Dis
trict Of this State, Hon. JonN K. KANE, in which
Mr.. Polk enunciates the following doctrines
upon !he subject of Tariff. We call especial
attention 10 the extract, as il is both curious
and instructive when paraIIrled with the re-
cent declaration Of the Peoples Convention Of
this State upon the same subject. Mr. Polk
said:
81 am in favor Of tariff for revenue, suct
one as will yield sufficient amount to the Trea-
sury 10 defray The expenses of the Government
economically administered. In adjusting the
details OF revenue tarifI have heretofore sane
toned such moderate discriminating duties as
would produce the amount Of revenue needed.
and at the same time afford reasonable incld-n-
tai protection to our home industry" June
10, 1914.
When this position ~as taken by the Demo
cratic party, it was denounced by the opposi-
ton in all sections of the country, as free trade
OF the rankest and most injurious character, and
those who supported it as deadly enemies 10 the
prosperity Of the country. But were they hon
EST IN the position then taken against the POLK
KANE letter! Let subsequent facts answer.-
The Peoples Convention which recently assem-
bled at HarI isburg, announced the following as
the principles ofthat party on the subject of !
tariff
ReSolUed, That the revenue necessary for |
judIcious and economical administration of the .
Government should be raised by The imposition |
of duties upon foreign imports, and in laying |
them, such discriminating protection should be /
given as will secure the rights of free labor ana
American industry. |
Is this no: an abandonment of the whole the
ory of protection for the sake Of protection, and
the full recognition of the doctrines laid down
by JAMES K. Polk 10 the letter from which we
have presented the extract Most assuredlv it
is: The resolution of The Peoples Convention
IS a fair copy Of the KANE letter, with only such
alterations as are applicable to the contest in
this State. And YET after thus deserting their
Did ground, on the question of protection, and
placing in nomination lifelong ultra free-trade
man, JOHN M. READ, the Peoples party has
he effronsery 10 call upon The citizens of the
Did Keystone State for their sufIrages, and 10
'ase that call on their consistent support Of th-
idea in reference to tariff. Tn.
ruth IS, the whole clamor which the Peoplr's
'arty has gotten up on this question is dshon-
st and deceptive. The Opposition has always ;
reated tins great matter as mere eiectioneer-
ng scheme, and the conduct ofthe Black Re-
'ublicans IN the Congress Of 1857, when they =