The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-27
TARIFF REFORM.

Call for q FREQ Trade Meeting-OpPo-
siti0n to tho Cincinnati Presidential
Nominees.
We the undersigned, in behalf OF the American
Free Trade League, and friends Of revenue tarin
who have associated or co-operated with II, deem
1t our duty to protest In the most emphatic manner
against the betrayal OF the cause of reform by the
recent Convention at Cincinnati. That body,
although none were invited to 1t except
those who desired reduction OF the
tariff to revenue basis, proved to be
composed in considerable part OF men who were
either Indifferent openly nimcal to this reform,
ana through their influence the Convention was In
duced to accept evasion OF the Issue by referring
1t to the several Congressional districts. This de-
termination Ia wholly In favor Of the protectionists,
since, in doubtful districts, they can, under
the banner Of liberal republicanisn, run
candidates as thoroughly pr0tectionist as
Mr.. Greeley himself, who will find nothing
In the Cincinnati platform at variance with their
protectionis principles; and by the nomination OF
Horace Greeley on this platform they made the
abandonment Of principle too conspicuous to be
mistaken. In thus acting, the Convention has
failed to represent our convictions of duty and by
departing from the conditions OF Its existence, has
set free those free traders who attended, accept
ing In good faith the invitation embraced In the
terms OF the COLL, from any obligation to support
its nominees. II any other ticket shall be
presented In their Judgment according better with
their convictions OF duty, we hold that they
free to support 1t as II the Cincinnati Convention to
which friends OF tariff reform were invited but by
which they were not represented, had never been
held.
But while the friends OF feee trade were thus be-
trayed and placed at disadvantage, they ought
not to overlook the opportunity now offered by the
breaking OF party ties to secure important gains in
the election OF Senators and Members of Congress.
This IL no time for dependency or inactOn. On
the contrary reform OF the tariff the chief object
which led thousands to look with hope to the en-
deavor to form new party, is still within reach.
Remembering what slender prospect there was one
year year ago OF pushing genuine reform through the
great bodies Of voters declaring their indepen-
dence Of former ties, and avowing their deter.
to the living questions OF the present OF all
those questions, that OF tariff reform can be and
upon the friends OF that reform throughout the
country, without regard to past party ties to
present Presidential preferences, to unite their
forces In the election or Senators and Representa-
tiyes In Congress- Organization and cooperation
on tnls basis, s may yet secure majority in both
next, and Insure the passage Of q reform bill
whca no President win venture to veto. - =" ~
We call upon the friends of tarir reform III MI the
they may act together integently in the coming
election. Let leagues or clubs be formed in every
nUn wa! thronG w IN every Town. and com
each district. The district committees will be
placed In communication at once with CEN
trail organization. Let the men who mean re-
form show by prompt and earnest action chat
their cause, however disregardod r. conventions,
capQQt be disregarded In the elections. Let them
teach politicians who seek to avoid it that no ques
ton can ever be settled until it is settled Alright.
In order to give public and general expression to
these views q meeting will be held at Steinway
Hall on Thursday, the 30th instant at eight O'Clock,
at which william Cullen Bryant will preside, and
which, we are authorized to announce will be adj
dressed by Hon. David A. Wells, Edward Atkinson
and Others
VIM. CULLEN BRYANT, EDWARD II. SEAMAN
STEWART BROWN, EDWARD HARRIS,
HOWARD POTTER, ALFRED PELL,
b. II. HUTTON, THOMAS HOLLAND,
X. b. MlNTURN, SIMON STERNE,
Q. IL. MARSHALL, HENRY ID. LLOYD,
MAHLON SANDS, JAMES M. CONSTABLE.