New-York tribune., 1873-04-12
THE TARIFF PLANK AT CINCINNATI
MR. ATKISsoN's EXPLANATION,
a 1A. Edilor of TAa rrtbnnt.

TO the EdStor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Ny attention has just been called to an
editorial in your paper which my ia used in a
that calls for reply. not because is Of any
importance what may individually have done but be-
cause you make appear q representative OF the
Free Traders who attended the Cincinnati Convention
but did not support s candidates. Your statement Is
follows:
"NO man knows better than Mr. DAVID A. Wells that
the question Of Protection Mr. Greeley was inex0r-
and at every point were foiled ana that finally they
accepted and through the mouth of Mr. Edward Atan-
son, enthusiastically praised the very position WHICH
Mr. Greeley had, from the outset, demanded"
beg leave 70 state on behalf of Mr. Wells and myself
and of many OF associates that the above state men
is incorrect In every particular. was not member OF
the Committee Resolutions, but acted IL for short
time at the beginning Of its session, as substitute ana
was then invited TO remain and take part in its dis
cussOns which did hrOughouI the whole day In when
the resolutions under discussion During that and
the preceding days many conferences held in which
the tariff plank was the bone Of contention. MI
Greeleys supporters refused TO be bound by the call
which he had signed adopt the language Of that
very call but insisted under hls elegraphe direction on
reegatng question the people without any decara-
Jon upon The Free Traders perssenty refused to be
thus betrayed and form after form OF resolution was sub
mitted but voted down, AT length the positive de-
claraon in regard 10 the tariff which adopted in
committee ana by the Convention, was submitted. IL
was as follows. copy 1t from the Tribune Almanac
I'VE demand system OF Federal taxation which shall
not unnecessarily interfere with the industry Of the
people and which shall provide the means necessary 10
pay the expenses OF tbe Government economcaliy Ad
Ininstered, the pensions the pubic debt. aud mod
crate reduction annually Of the principal thereof"
Now il happens that the resolution written by
before the Convention met, while way 70 Cncn-
natl With MI Wells and others, and considered Il
the most compact logical and consistent statement of
the freetrade nonntererenee theory of Federal tax
alton that could be written. Had true representative
of the original promoters Of the Cincinnati Convention
been there nominated such would have been the
attached 70 this positive declaration. This form was
submitted conference meeting, and before the next
meeting of the Committee Resolutions II was tee-
graphed Mr. Greeley, and his reply. now in the pos
session Of one OF my associates was effect that its
Adoption would De complete surrender 70 the Free
Traders Having this knowledge and observing that
the resolution was resisted emphatcauy by the New
York member Of the Committee on Resolutions. We in
sisted upon IT, and in order 10 carry IT, reluctantly and
rather weakly consented TO have the additional clause
relegatng the decision of the question 70 the Congress
sonA districts where IN the nature Of things belonged,
appended to our resolve, especially that clause de
malded that the decision thereon should be wholly
Tree from executive interference OF dictauOn."
weak enough 20 suppose that Mr.. Greeley could
nj tariff plank which he had declared 10 be
complete surrender TO the Free Traders, aud which lie
would be pledged not 70 interfere with 70 the decision
thereon ana hence When went Dack 70 ne CONVENTION
from the COMMITTEES and found it engaged bitter dis
csion the tarf stopped the discussion by informing
The Convention that Committee had agreed tariff
resolution. did not enthusiastically or IN any other
manner praise II, but asked the Convention only 70
continue 70 repose confidence tn its Committee That
night Messr Blair and Brown arrived the bargain
made and the Free Traders sOit but not delivered
Nj Greeley accepted the complete surrender with his
hands tied by the words that followed aud the his
nj I fhe can ign q IA be Of
Yours truly, EDWARD ATKINSON
Bgsf0n Anil s. 1873.