New-York tribune., 1870-11-14
THE TARIFF QUESTION ~ 1872.

THE TARIFF QUESTION ~ 1872.
We do not share the prevalent belief that
the Democratic party will acquiesce in the en-
francbisement of the Blacks. Necessity and
apprehension may for time cOnstran 1t to
silence, but its restoration to power will iDev-
itably revive the assertion" This is White
"man's government"-with the usual Demo
cratic inferences from that premise. Just as
the attempt to defraud the National creditors
by paying off their bonds, which draw six per
cent. interest in gold, with Greenbacks draw
ing no interest and payable at no particular
time, was dropped upon proof that the country
would not tolerate it. so the purpose of dis
franchising the Blacks may be disclaimed, but
not relinquishcd. If there were no Republican
party, the National Debt would never be paid,
and the Blacks would soon be divested OF
every franchise. While Reputation and Dis
franclisement endanger the success of the
Sham Democracy, they may be disavowed; but
give that party fOur-years' lease of power
and it will improve its opportunity by cheat
ing the public creditors and remanding the
Blacks to serfdom. Whatever virtue it may
assume is imposed by its fears. Ia not The
| World vaunting loudly the superiority of Ne,c-
| York Democracy to antiquated prejudices of
race? and did not this same Democracy,
within this very year, retract the assent pre-
viously given by our State to the XVIII
Amendment 7
But suppose our BOurbOns should he impellcd
by their love of power to accept the logical
results of the War for the Union, and forswear
all further attempts to base Government upon
Caste and Color, and suppose their assurances
to this effect should be trusted, the paramount
issue in the next Presidential contest must be
the Tariff question. Can you suggest another 7
There is a large proportion of our People
who sincerely believe in that commercial and
financial policy which is commonly designated
Free-Trade. There is another large proper
ton who as earnestly believe in what is known
as Protection to Home Industry. There is a
third and quite large division which has not
yet fully considered the subject, and has at
tained no definite conclusion with regard to it.
The views of some are cOlOred if not shaped
by personal or local interest; many will go
with their respective parties without giving
much thought or study to this question some
are swayed by tradition, others by selfish
aspiration. STILL the perception is quite gen
eral that the Tariff question comes next in
order after the issues involved in RecOnstruc
ton are settled, and that it must largely in
| fluence the result of our next Presidential
| contest.
Meantime, the Free Traders are securing adj
vantages to which they are not fairly entitled.
They use the Democratic party if they
owned it., and make all they can ont of the
Republican. In States and districts where the
Republicans are mainly for Protection, they
insist that this fact shall be kept in allegiance
on penalty of a bolt; but, wherever they have
control they pass Free-Trade resolves and
bid ProtectiOnists help themselves. If the Re-
publican nominees are Free-Traders, we all
work and vote for their election; if they are
PrOtectionists, the Free Traders bolt and de-
feat them if possible. How long can this go
on Can we safely embark in Presidential
contest with compatriots 80 slppery2
But what can we ~ queries faint heart.
" If these dubious allies shall choose to be-
come open enemies, swelling the Democratic
" strength to the full extent of their numbers
" does not this insure our defeat?"
Yes, certainly, if we do nothing but tamely
submit to be divided and beaten. But let us
resolve to accept heartily the issue thus forced
upon us, meetingOur adversaries more than half
way thereon, and it becomes to us no longer
rock of danger but a tower of strength.
The Tariff question was considered-fairly
patiently, thoroughly-by our fathers, and by
them decided in favor of Protection. The
several Protective Tariffs of 1924 and 1928
were passed, after years of popular agitation, in
obedience to popular requirements. The doc
tr'ndires were as hostile to us then as they can
be to-day. The Slave Power was then mighty,
and our impacable adversary Manufactures
ana Mining were in their infancy among us,
ana could contribute little to our positive
strength We carried the country on the
ground 80 forcibly maintained by Gen. Jack
son in his letter to Dr. Coleman-that il WAS
the plain interest of our farmers 10 create
Home Markets for their products by buildino
up Manufactures throughout our Union po,
litical exigences ultimately forced the author
of this statement into alien associations. lint
the American People never yet decided against
Protection when the issue was fairly pre.
sentcd and their verdict solicited thereon. II
was by masking this issue, and swindling Penn
sykania into a muddled belief chat Polk was