The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-06-24

The Denl0catic press had in store
an immense collection Of filth ready
to be hurried at the head of Grant or
Blaine II nominated at Chicago, it
eYinently being the purpose Of the
organs Of that party to make the en-
suing canvas one Of gross personality
and mud singing. The choice of
General Garfield, however, neccss-
itated Il change Of programme, and
for three or four days there was COM
paretiVe quiet along the whole line,
only to be broken up, however, by an
onslaught upon the fortunate candi-
date, in which it is attempted to
biacken his fair reputation and paint
him the creature Of all The evil schcm-
eG5 OF the past decade. These storms
Of abuse are not new in the politics Of
this country, and the people have
learned to give them full credit, and
usually the result is an increased ma
iority at the polls.
Among other things circulated
with reference to Mr.. Garfield is the
charge that he is free trader. This
Is most cltectually settled by q letter
written 10 member of the Ohio Sen
ate hy Mr.. Garfield during the canvass
for United States Senator in that
state last fall. 1t is so nicely fitted to
answer the objections of the Demo-
cfacy that we give it place in full:
Washington, D. c., Dec. Is. 1879.
DEAR SIR: Yours of the 18th inst,
inclosing slip from the Columbus
Ntspotch, Is received. The writer of
that articul is either stupidity ignorant
or II WlliuI ialsilier. l have voted for
every Republican Tariff bill which
has passed the House since I have
been member of it. | have made at
least lour elaborate speeches on the
tariff since | have been in Congress,
besides numerous short speeches in
debates. My first full speech on the
SUBJECT was In 1866, the second in 1870.
ana the third and fourth in 1878. |
nave been recognized for several Years
past as the leader Of the Republican
party ON this subject, and every Re
publican member of the House knows
my position, aud l believe, approves
1t. In 1868 / made a speech in favor
or the resumption Of specie payments.
In which | discussed elaborately the
doctrines of money, and the obliga-
tion OF the nation TO pay its debt.
The Secretary Of the Treasury sent
some copies of that speech to our Min
lister in London, Believing that il
would strengthen our credit abroad.
John Bright received = copy, and was
so pleased with it that he had me
elected an honorary member of the
Golden Club" | had never before
heard of this club, and up to that
time Charles Summer was the only
member of Congress who bad ever
been thus complimented. Some wears
after that | learned that the Golden
CiuD Delleved in free trade, as nearly
all Engllshmen do; but of course |
was IN no way responsible for the be-
liei. rms matter had been repeatedly
explained i'll the iron districts, and
IL Is iully understood by our leading
IRON men. | represent one of the
heaviest iron districts in Ohio, and in
county, where the largest
mills and furnaces are situated, | ran
ahead of the State and county ticket
last year, and have the support of
almost every intelligent manufacturer
OF the district | write this freely,
that you may understand how entirely
without foundation is the article in
the Dispatch.
Very truly, yours,
j. a. GARFIELD