The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-08-24

|: aG5~ The PRxss circulates frse Of postage
within the limitsof Portage corntys
BY, agriculture; 5000, 900 are engaged
in, and supported by, pursuits classified
as professional and domestic 1900, 600
are engaged in, and supported by,
commerce and trade; 100000 are
classified as indefinite and non-pro-
ductive in their pursuits, and 100000
are engaged in, and supported by art
and mechanical productions. All the
classes directly or pecuniarily benefit
ed by protection are to be found under
the general designation of Industrial.
But of them only these classes are
benefited who are engaged in the pro-
duction of iron, steel, copper, salt, max
lumber and leather, and all the classes
so benefited do not exceed z per cent.
of our whole population, OF about two
and half millions of men, women
and children-equal to about 100000
actual producers out of 100000 pro-
ducers and consumers. These repre-
sent American industry" and for
them the present tariff was made. To
promote their welfare and magnify
their gains the other 38,000,000 are
taxed, compelled to pay forced prices,
unjust and cruel tributes; and, as if
to add insult to injury, the articles of
food and clothing used by the honest
laboring classes of the land are taxed
much greater than the luxuries en-
joyed only by opulence. Protection
is the old man of the sea, that is riding
us to death. Protection is an insult to
and stigma upon, the mechanics and
artisans of the land for it is conceded
throughout the world that the laborers
of our country greatly surpass those
of any other land in ingenuity, inven-
tive capacities, skill, intelligence, ver-
satility and productiveness. Their
successes in the mechanical arts, and
in subduing the powers of nature to
the service of men, are alike unequaled
and wonderful Ours is a country
possessing and producing in generous
abundance great variety of materials.
Our boundless Interstate commerce
is conducted upon the principles of
absolute free trade. Our agriculture,
with its boundless capacities, can defy
the whole world, and the people of
this land need no protection so much
as they need the repeal of the present
odious tariff. The United States can
to-day exempt every article from tax
alton under the tariff except a dozen
or more great staples, and still get far
more gold revenue from customs than
is needed for the interest on the Ma
ional debt.
/ The financial policy of the Republi-
can party is, ifpossible, more infamous
than their present tariff. / shall not
attempt, however, an exposition of it's
rottenness.s General Morgan, who is
to follow me, will, have no doubt,
do that subject full justice. pass
it by with saying that since the close
of the war the taxes collected by Rad
ical authority amount to 50, 100 900, 900.
During the same period the public
debt has been reduced only 1924, ,0O0,-
600, or about one-tenth of the taxes
collected fer that purpose. 1 will not
ask what has become of the balance,
for surely some of the distinguished
gentlemen who are to advocate the
election of our opponents will go be-
fore the people prepared to solve the
financial problem to their entire satis-
faction. a4r
My countrymen, there are other
questions of vital Importance in this
campaign which time will not now
permit me to notice. At other times
and at other places they shall receive :
from me such attention as their inn
portance demands. The platforms of
the two parties are before you. The
Democratic states in plain and unmis-
takable1anguage the position of that
organization upon all the questions
now dividing the great body of the
American people. Not SO, however,
is the platform of our opponents they
claim for themselves all the wisdom,
courage and patriotism, honor and
justice of the land. Following this
fulsume praise of themselves, they
endorse, unqualifiedly, the Admins
tration of General Grant-an Admin
istration notorionsly most corrupt,
profigate and wicked that the Amer
lean people have ever been forced to
endure.
They repeat their condemnation"
of the policy of granting subsidies of
public lands to corporations and mo-
yet they are prepared, at
the next session of Congress, to add
millions more to grants already made.
They are in favor of the adoption of
!" thorough system of civil service re-
form" and this from party that,
since its advent to power, has decapi-
tated every officer of the Government
who has dared to breathe the dreaded
word reform. Let the treatment of
Wells. of Hoar and of Cox speak
Let $20,0O0,000 of defalcation, with
over three hundred and forty default
ers, respond as to the manner in which
the Republican party has " vindioated
its rights to the continued confidence
of the people," Let that illustrate
their honesty and economy in the
of the public revenues.n-
Fraud permeates every department of
the Government; corruption is work. .
ing i'll high places, and moneyed ar.
stocracy is being built up in our
midst. This party to-day is the cause
Of all the woes and miseries which
weigh down so heavily on the great
of the people, But its days
ire numbered-its race is run; it has
oeen tried and found wanting. Re-
oublicans know this, and are begin
hing to talk of reform. But their re-
,entance is the death-bed repentance
It the eleventh hour. AS Prince John
ried to De Braey, in the agony of des-
,air, T" 1t will be in vain, It will be in
rain they have seen the handwriting
IN the wall; they have marked the
,aw of the lion in the sand they have
heard his approaching roar shake the
wood nothing will reanimate their
the American people
intend to drive them from power as
he angels of Heaven drove Satan out
# Parsaise.
The saying that lit is more pleasant
o give than to receive" applies only
2wr,A i