The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-10-30

ingmen of the country left the Demo
cratic ranks In droVes.
They required no finely drawn argu-
ments, no carefully arranged figures,
, to show them that II the fHCt01ritec ..
Europe were permitted 10 compete
with those of America, the wages oil
American workmen would fall to the
starvation point, or they would be
thrown out of employment entirely.
They know that II the cheap labor OF
Europe were brought into competition
with the labor of America, the labor
of America must go to the wall. And
they know that the abolition of pro-
tective duties would bring about such
competition.
Hence the tariff issue so shrewdly
raised by the Republicans late In the
campaign was like the blast of n bugle
to the workingmen of the country,
whose response echoed ominously from
Indiana and Ohio.
But Garfield's letter proves that the
Republican protective policy is in
tended only to protect the wealthy
private and corporate manufactures.
AS an abstract proposition, IL would
be exceedingly difficult to show that the
Republicans intended only to protect
the American employer from competi-
ton with European products, leaving
the laborers to suffer under the OPP
preston of foreign competition. AT
every point the reply would come: "If
the manufacturer is protected, the
protection of the laborer must follow
as q matter of course and necessity"
And in the abstract that reply would
be unanswerable.
But James A. Gariield's letter
the history of the Republican party
proves it to be theirs.
And Garfield graphically points out
the mode in which such paradox i'm
political economy is to be made prac-
tically harmonious. A high protec-
tive tariff is to be continued. That
will keep European products out of
American markets as competitors
with American products. Thus the
American manufacturer profits will
be maintained: The capitalist-the
vampire corporations-will
be fostered by the government.
But inasmuch us this protective
tariff would indirectly protect the
laborer as well as the employer; and
inasmuch as there is a radical distinc-
ton between the rights of employer
and employee, which James A. Garfield
expresses in the phrase: ~ TAKE IT
THAT THE QUESTION OF EMPLOYEES is
ONLY QUESTION OF PRIVATE AND
CORPORATE ECONOMY" (the question
of employers being one of government
James A. Garfield, in
his letter. enlists upon the side of the
that "INDIvIDUALs OR
LABOR WHERE THEY CAN GET IT
and that "THE CHINESE
TREATY SHOULD NOT BE ABRoGATED
UNTIL OUR GREAT MANUFACTURING
AND CORPORATE INTERESTS ARE CON-
IN THE MATTER OF LABOR"
Thus while the manufacturer will be
protected from the competition of Eu-
ropean products i'm American markets,
the American working man is to be
subjected to competition with the very
cheapest of Asiatic labor, imported
direct into American factories.
European goods are to be introduced
into this country only upon payment
of heavy protective duties. Other
wise the American manufacturer will
suffer.
But the foreign cheap labor is to be
free of duty in overwelm-
ing quantity. Otherwise the Ameri-
can abOrer will be protected against
the tyranny of his employer, or the
employer is protected against the COM
petition of the foreign manufacturer.
The REPUBLICAN POLICY AND THE
OF THE REPUBLICAN
AS EXPRESSED IN HIS
LETTER, ARE ENORMOUSLY CON-
TRIvED TO STRENGTHEN CAPITAL
AND CORPORATE MONOPoLIES AND
YET SHACKLE FREE AMERICAN La
Dor.
The realization of this fact by the
working men of the United States as
James A. Garfield's letter published
in Truth on Wednesday, and the in
evidence of its anthem
ticity published in Truth to-day, will
penetrate with the rapidity of light
ming to every hamlet in the Union
will arnueo n continent AIMING thvsc
men whom the Republican party had |
almost fatally deceived, that will
sweep the country like whirlwind.
California and Oregon will rise as Il
single man to spurn James A. Gar
field with the ballots Of 10000 free
New jersey and Connec-
lieut., almost lost to Hancock, are al
ready back in line with an enthusiasm
never experienced by the Democratic
party before. And Benjamin F. But
er, with Garfield's fatal letter in his
hands, followed by the working-men
If Massachusetts, whose chosen and
eader he is, will lay the electoral vote
If that old State at the feet of the hero
If Gettysburg.
The election of Winfield Scott Han
,ock is now assured.
And on the third of November, 1880,
lanes A. Garfield will awake de-
Gated, disappointed man, still bearing
he brand of bribery and perjury
placed upon his brow by republican
ournals, and despised throughout the
ength and breadth of America as a
reacherOus slayer of his friends hon.
rable ambition, n stealthy enemy of
he working man, an advocate of cor
crate monOpOlies and a desperate and
tupid liar.