The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-02
NO HAHHi
From ire N. Y. Tribune.

There are many of our couutrymen who
sincerely believe in free trade, as do many
others in protection; while there is a large
class who, not having yet studied the ques-
ton, have no decided opinion upon it-not
to speak of politicians by trade who are ready
to profess or support any doctrine that seems
likely to favor their personal aspirations. We
entreat earnest free traders and earnest pro-
tectionists to unite in demanding that the
issue between their respective doctrines shall
be made SO broad and clear that the ill-in-
formed and needless shall be compelled to
study the subject and take one side or the
other, while the politicians by trade shall, in
the decision of this question, be reduced to
their proper insignifcance.
If a great practical issue, affecting the
well-being of our country and her people,
cannot be decided just right, we prefer that
it be decided exactly the other way. A mud
died, half and half decision may stand for
years; while one that was wholly wrong
would be speedily and surely reversed.
We have so profound conviction of the
benefcence and necessity of protection that
we are entirely willing to see fair trial made
of thorough free trade; for we are sure that
the country would not, because it could not
endure it. Two years of complete, genuine
free trade would secure us against a repeti-
tion of the mistake for at least generation
Among the hard things 50 freely said of US
proeectionists by our adversaries, we have
never yet known them to assert that we failed
to make protective tariff when we had an
opportunity. We never plead popular igno-
rance or prejudice as our excuse for acting
in but half hearted accordance with our prin-
ciples, and never plead for time to accustom
the people gradually to their operation. In
our view the present time is always the right
time to adopt protection if it mas been dis
carded and maintain it if it has not. And we
are never aware of any pledges, or commit
tails, or peculiar circumstances, that render
partial or total free trade the right thing for
to-day, though perhaps not for tomorrow.
We have now protective tariff. True, the
duties imposed by it on most staples pig
iron, coal, salt, sugar, wool, paper, etc.-are
lower than the duties levied by the Calhoun
Lowndes tariff of 1916, which were imposed
for revenue, with but slight regard to protec-
ton. We think the present Congress erred
in reducing many rates of duty, especially
those on pig iron and sugar. Still, we are
content with the tariff as it is, as a whole
willing to abide by it as better than anything
likely to be substituted for it. Should it be
overthrown, we trust it will give place to one
founded on the opposite principle and in per-
feet consistency with the doctrine of free
trade. Then the people, having given each
principle fair trial, will be enabled to Judge
intelligently between them.
The one great mistake of Mr.. Clay's career
was the Tariff Compromise of 1888. Had he
then said, "The country has Just rechosen
General Jackson its President. His party has
a decided ma jority in either House. Let that
majority frame and pass just such tariff as
it deems best; and, if it does not work well,
the country knows how to get rid of tive
should, in the election of 1886, have pre-
cluded years of disaster and suffering. By his
compromise our manufacturing and mining
interests purchased transient reprieve at a
heavy cost to the country and themselves.
We trust that mistake may never be repeated
The World, indeed, Says
"Seeipg that protection was in danger, Mr. Clay
acted like prudent navigator in a storm, and
threw over part OF the cargo to save the ship"
1t seems to us that he threw over the ship,
and only saved part of the cargo for little
while.
The World adds:-
"By that bill, the tariff was brought down to the
revenue standard by series OF successive reduc-
tons, extending over nine years."
Yes; and when we, at the end Of nine
years, had got down to ''the revenue stand
ard, we had neither revenue nor credit, and
had to 60 back to protection to reclaim them.
Why not state that
| The World now talks of not being ''wlling
to bring sudden ruin on any great interest
| If there be any "great interest" anxious to
| AIa
apply at the World Office. But we have heard
enough of this kind of mercy. We ask the
free-traders to submit to the next Congress q
tariff bill which accords exactly and in al
respscts with their principles and convic
tions; and, if the trimmers and twaddlers
who believe in nothing but the Offices they
hold or are trying to secure, undertake tc
supplant this by one that is 'neither fish
flesh, norl good red herring, we are quite
confident that they will be defeated.
''Does protection protect?" asks one of tht
least scrupulous manipulators of facts anC
figures for the Free-trade League Protec
tionists think that question answers itself
We beg to propose as next in order-''Dc
free-traders want free trader" II they do
let them act and vote accordingly. Thsy
certainly will not secure what they want b.
going instead for something else.
THE "REVENUE REFORMERS"-RISI
OF A GREAF PARTI.
From the A. y. HerGld.
There was something more than Dime
in the meeting of the free-traders at Del
monico's on Monday evening. Mr.. Bryan
represented the old free-trade Dsmocrati
party, and was probably impatient at tn
limitations imposed upon him by the younge
followers, who strain at free-trade-pure ant
simple-but yearn for what they cali ''reve
nue. reform" With Mr.. Bryant free-trade
what the doctors would call a specific or
sure medicine. He has been debating it
virtues, its restorative and health givinI
qualities for fifty years, and now stands lik
Moses when he looked upon the promises
land which he was to see while others woul
occupy. The young men from the West ar
the true leaders. AS Scott and Wool an
Harney were crowded to one side by sturdie
and more active generals like Grant and Shel