Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-08-03
Greeley. &fatz Brown and Free
Trade.

K0Dert j. walkers irC0 Trade tarlll Of
1876, which struck down the protective
tariff of 1872, was passed through the SEN
ate of the United States by the casting vote
Of George NJ. Dallas, Vice President, who
was elected 0u ticket that carried Pcnnsyl-
vania by the rallyng cry of Polk, Dallas
and the tarifof '42.' 1t was fraudulent
pretense, but none the less effective for
that, in striking down Harry Of the West"
that gallant champion OF Protection to
American Industry. Our older citizens
will remember the intense Indignation
created throughout Pennsylvania by the
trGachcry Of George NJ. Dallas. In Allie
ghcny county, and other manufacturing dis
tricts, it was particularly intense. When
the news of Dallas vote was received here.
the workingmen employed in our mills and
fouuderics paraded in procession through
the streets, and afterwards burnt an ctli-y
of the Vice President suspended from u
gallows, on the summit of Seminary Hill.
That violent measure indicated how the pub
lie mind was stirred to its very depths by
the unexpected vote Of Mr.. Dallas.
1t has happened since iS46, and we be-
lievc during Mr.. COlfaX's term "a President
OF the Senate, that measures affecting the
great industrial interests of Pennsylvania,
have been determined by the casting vote
of the Vice President. It's likely to occur
again. and it is not at all improbable that
the Protective system may depend for its
life, during the next four years, on the de-
cisivc vote of the presiding officer Of the
Senate. In that case he will possess trc-
mcndous power. His single aye or no will
strike down or maintain policy essential
/ to the prosperity of the nation. The life,
MS it were, of Pennsylvania-itS great in
duStrial intercsts-thc prosperity of its
mechanics and the success Of its capitalists
will all rest on this single vote. AS the
/ President has never been known to use the
/ veto power in staying the passage OF reve-
nue. bills, contingency may happen when
( the office of Vice President will be ofgreater
/ Importance to the people of Pennsylvania
/ than that of the President. The States are
so equally divided by their local interests on
the principle of protection, that tie vote
| IN the Senate on q tariff bill is matter of
probability.
Mr.. Greeley has "gone back" on his
! tariff record, and given pledges that if elect
ed he will in no wise seek to advise or con-
/ troll the legislation of Congress on the sub
ject. But the influences that will govern
/ his administration will be free trade,
whether exercised by Democrats or liberal
/ Republicans. Ofthat there can be no doubt,
.
is compactly arrayed against his election,
and the free trade or "revcnue reform
sentiment is as solidy for him. Greeley
has pledged his own "hands Off" but he
has not spoken or can he vouch for the same
neutrality by his Secretary of the Treasury.
If he attem; tied to do so there would be Il
storm in the mongrGl camp ut once.
Gratz Brown occupies a boldcr and more
| honest position on the tariff than Greeley.
/ lie SCORES neutrality, and when the con-
tngency arises by which his vote shall de-
eide for or against Protection or Free Trade,
there is no question rs to how it will be re-
corded He is free trader of the most
ultra stamp, and does not disguise his con-
victions. In a speech the other night at
New Haven, after passing an eulogium on
Mr.. Greeley, the Democratic candidate for
/ Vice President declared.
"Mr. Greeley and have been in conflict
as journalists. on great and vital questions,
such for instance as the tariff, aud Of all
men whom | have ever had opposed to me
he is the abIest aud the best lie bore The
plume above them all. Had he been nomi-
mated On the issue OF protection, ! never
should have sustained him.
Take this in connection with his past dee
larations on the tariff, and we find exactly
! where Mr.. Gratz Brown stands. There is
no disguise about him. He is as outspokru
as the Free Trade League and fully ms
ultra. In fact, we believe he is an officer
of the League
The Baltimore candidates, therefore. oc
cupy this position on Il question of Vita
importance to the people Of Pennsylvania
Mr.. Greeley is bound hand foot and pledged
not to enter word of protest against put
ting in operation the most extreme theories
of The free traders. Gratz Brown. on the
contrary, if invested with n power thai
may control the legislation of the nation
dehantly asserts his devotion 10 the free
trade dogma and will give his casting vote,
when the occasion arises, to make 1t the
settled policy of the country. The cuhnina
artifcers at Cincinnati and Baltimore, while
they took good care to exact pledges IRON
Greeley that he would remain neutral II
the great battle to be fought out the Dext
four years between American and toTeigr
industries. were equally careful to leave
} Gratz Brown free t0 follow the bent NJ hi
own inclinations. No pledge was exnetet
from him rs to how he would vote when thC
whole tariff question would rest ON his ay'