New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-05-03
LET Us HAVE a FIR UNDERSTANDING.

Certain Republicans are Free Traders, as they
| have perfect right to be. Certain other Re-
publicans are Protectionists, as is equally their
right. The Democratic party is likewise BIZ
sected on the Economic question, though not
so palpably, conspicuOusly, as the Republican.
And the eeTraders in either party, like
| the PrOtectiOnists, will naturally seek to adj
vance their Economic views through the action
of their party, and cannot reasonably be ex-
pected to do otherwise.
| We have never failed to give hearty sup
port to Republican candidate because he
was Free Trader. On the contrary, we have
supported such candidates most heartily, and
shall continue to do so, so long as good faith
shall be kept with us by the other side. Nor
hare we inquired into a prospective candi-
dates Economic views, with intent to oppose
his nomination if they were found to differ
from ours.
All we ask of Republican Free-Traders is
Equal Rights. If their Economic views are
dear to them, ours are so to us. If they de-
mand respect for their convictions, we insist
on equal respect for ours. If they wish to
argue with us, VIC are ready to meet them on
the common assumption that each school is
widely different means. If they choose rather
to deal in Opprobrious epithets and defamatOry
imputations, they are welcome to that resort;
and we shall meet their insults as they deserve.
All we ask G: them is open, manly dealing; and
this we think they will have to accord us.
If thew mean to nominate Free-Traders where
ever they can as Republican candidates for the
next Congress, let them say so: their right to do
so is uncOntested. If they mean to beat at the
polls Republican Protectonists whom they fail to
defeat in the nominations, let this be distinctly
avowed, and we shall know how to meet it,.
If they mean to force the Republican party to
repeat their ShibbOleth, under penalty of being
defeated by their votes, let them say that. The
one thing we do not mean to let them do is to
play their game on the blackleg's principle,
"Heads, win; tails, you lose" They can add
vocate Free Trade inside or outside of the Re-
publican party, but not both inside and out, as
shall for the moment seem best.
-" But wouldn't you give way a little, in
"order 70 harmonic the party ?" we are asked.
Our answer is ready: We do. The Tariff as
it is makes enormous concessions from our
mark, which we assent to for Quiet's sake. 1t
is our profound conviction that an impost of
500 per tun on Pig Iron, with like duties on
every thing made of Iron, would prove an i'm
mense blessing to our country and all her
weath-producers-th it would speedily give
us cheaper and better Iron and Wares than we
have ever yet enjoyed--that it would preclude
monopoly and large profits in rOn-making by
rendering furnaces as abundant as grist-mils,
| and almost as generally difiused--and that the
principle here affirmed might be applied
with like efficacy and bencfccnce to
| Wool and WOolens, Plain and Printed Cot
tons, Linens, &c, &c. In short, we do not
believe in looking or going abroad for any
| thing that might, at the cost of no more Labor,
| be produced on our own soil. Yet we do not
press our view and demand legislation in ac-
cordance with it, out of Difference to weak
brethren and to those who might be repealed
from the Republican fold if views regarded as
extreme should be made by it the basis of
legislation or formidable demand for it.
We rest on the Tariff as it is, which seems to
us about halfway between Protection in earn
est and absolute Free Trade but, should ex-
listing parties be broken up and reconstructed
on the Economic question, and our side should
unequivocally triumph in the consequent strug-
gle, we should then urge revision of the Tariff
on the basis above indicated.
Again we insist that the Republican party
can be upheld only by respect freely accorded
| by its members to each others convictions. II
the Free Traders in that party want to turn
the Protectionists out of it. We bid them SET
about the job at once, and hone they III have
q good time; if they choose t. 60 out them
selves, they have a perfect right to do so, and
! VIC shall not try TO stop them; but. if they