The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-09-15

Parry In. Regard 10 wOrhlngmen.
Editors 1ntslllssnosr.
frequently, while passing along tn
streets, I hear itstated by 'button.holing'
politicians, that the Democratic party 4
and always has been the friend and pro
tector Of the mechanic and the laborinl
man; and in favor Of protecting then
against the enthralled and cheap labor o
the old world ; and, that General Garfield
and the Republican party are free traders
Both OF these assertions are historically
untrue. 1t was acaTdinal principle OF the
institution ofslavery" that capital should
own labor, In order that 1t could be made
as cheap as possible and keep soul and
body together. The Democratic party es-
poused the cause ofthis tinstitution" and
did all that 1t could do 10 protect and fos-
ter slavery, not only where it already ex-
listed by the sanction Of the local law, but
they declared that human slavery was div
inc in Its origin aud national in its char
acter; and they charged those who op.
posed its extension with fanaticism ald
sectlonalism, they all the while preterd-
ing to be the sole national party in tue
land.
All the while the Southern wing OF that
party were teaching their children that
labor was degrading, and they called lG-
boring men greasy mechanics" small
fisted farmers mudsills" and ''poor white
trash" even United States Senators
on the floor OF Congress hurled such in.
sult'ng epithets as these against the labor
ing men OF the nation, receiving no re-
buke from Democratic lips. No system Of
political economy has ever been devised
more deadly to free, manly labor than
that came Constitution" OF slavery. Yet,
the Democratic party moved heaven and
earth to iasteu that institution forever
upon the laboring men Of the nation. The
decision Of Democratic supreme Court
in the bred Scott case, virtually carried
slavery TO every inch Of American soil.
The Democratic party, Democratic speak
era, and the Democratic press OF the coun-
try sustained that decision. As alaboriug
man, pray to be delivered from the pro-
tecting care OF such party.
The Democratic National platform says:
''We pledge ourselves anew TO the Consti.
tutional doctrines and traditions OF the
Democratic party as illustrated by the
and example Of long line OF
statesmen-aud II declares for
"a tariff for revenue only" OF course II
hey are for tariff for revenue only, they
ire opposed to tariff for protection"
This platform is consistent with the bis
DRY OF Democratic legislation and at
enipted legislation. That party has al.
ways voted for "a tariff for revenue onlyl"
L has voted to repeal protective '1rles.
When did 1t ever enact one?
The Democratic deus controls the act.
ons and voSe1 OF the individual member
IN the floor Of Congress, even against his
,eiter judgement. Senator B4yard became
in the lp I'd as Distinguished
exception. We all remember the ana.
hemas that were launched upon HIN.
Who Is the other exception? II the Demo-
ratio caucus should say, we will support
he bill for revenue only, 10 will Ben VIII
on vote, should be be a member OF Con-
,ress.
General Hancock has no record oil the
ubiect, and in his letter OF accep q ce g
ilent on the matter OF tariff, but . en-.
lorse3 the platform Of his party-"a tariff
or revenue only"
Tariff for protection was cardinal prin-
,irle OF the old Wing party, and the Re-
publican party bas enacted several laws
protective tariffs. The lest
National Convention OF the party, at Chi.
ago, declared that, tWe affirm the belief
vowed in 1876, that the duties levied for
he purposes OF revenue should so d'scrim-
nate as to favor American labor"
That also is consistent with the history |
If the Republican party.
General Garfield has uniformly voted
n Congress in accordance with the protec-
i've views OF the party. 1t is true he h9s
with other proisctiOnists favored reduc-
ION OF the duties on some commodities,
1ut 1t W. in cases where the tariff was
90 high, and to prevent greater IeduG-
ions. He said, in speech in Congress
IN 1868, Duties should be SO high that
lur manufacturers can fairly compete with
toreign producers, but not so high as to
enable them to drive out the foreign arli:
cles, enjoy a monopoly oil the trade and
regulate prices as they please"
Opposing the bill of Morrison which was
in the inter It OF free trade, he with other
defelted 1t. General Car
fieId also said in later speech against the
hill for "a tariff for revenue only" OF Mr..
Fernando Wood, which very greatly re.
luced the tariff on nearly all imported
dred ariel =: II would
have the duii ] so adjusted that eve
great American industry can fairly live.
and make fair profit. The chief charge
make against this bill 10 that 1t seeks 70
kill the protective features Of the law. A
bill SO radical in its character, SO danger.
ous TO our business prosperity,would work
injurious mischief al this time. Let i be
remembered that twenty per cent. OF all
the Iaboring people OF this country are ar
tisans engaged in manufactures. Ineh
he goeJ on TO say that TO these artisans
great honor Is due for the magnificent and
splendid display at our centennial. be
saws: Their culture has been fostered
I,y our tariff laws. Ifthis bill becomes q
law, It strikes down their occupation, aud
throws into the keene3t distress the
brigh;e est and best element OF our popula'
ton"
BE helped to kill that bill for "a tariff
for revenue only"
General Garfield in his letter Of accept
ance re,affirms his past utterances In favor
OF protection, and approves the Platform
Of the Republican party. His acts are con-
sistent with HIS words.
The iron, glass aud wood workers, the
skilled mechanics and workingmeu oil
Wheeling cannot "lairly live" under the
operation Of tariff for revenue only.
Votes for Hancock and Wilson are blows
to strike down their occupation, and throw
into keenest distress Of idleness and want,
themselves, their wives and children.
Farmers OF Ohio county when the mills
are running, when the spindles are run
ming, when the furnace fires brighten the
darkened sky and merchanics and laborers
ale busy all earning good wages, then they
want your pork and potatoes, your wheat
and wool, creatinga good market at home.
But when they are idle or on half time,
they can buy scarcely the necessities oil
life. Your market, fanny isabroad, trans:
portation absorbs, and reaps the benefits OF
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