The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-10-30
A PROTECTIVE TARIFF PASSED.

in its way.
4 PROTECTIVE TARIFF PASSED
In 1916 the Democratic party passed n
protective tariff, the beneficial effects of
which We're soon seen in Il revival of pros
perity: then followed Il period of tariff tink-
ering and revenue tariff, undel which the
people became so poor that they could not
import: the revenue fell off and general dis
treSS overSpre:id the country, until, in 1894
Congress, largely composed OF Democrats,
was compelled to enact u tariff for protec-
tion. Scarcely had the ink with which the
President wrote his approval of the bill
dried until business revived, new life was
infused into our lanquishing industries, and
the country. freed from the incubus of free
trade, moved forward like a youthful giant.
the revenues of the Government increased,
and it WAS out Of the accumulated treasure
provided by this same tariff of 1924 that
General Jackson paid OFF the balance of the
war debt, leaving Il surplus in the treasury,
which was divided anon. the States. But
"uriet to quick boSoms is 4 hell, and agi-
tation and more tinkering with the tariff
followed. South Carolina Threatened to
nallify the tariff laws. to prevent which
Congress enacted what is known as Clay'S
Compromise Law, by which it was provided
that one-tenth of the duty should be taken
off each year. This was III the year 1882. |
quote only from memory. Any man who
wants to understand the operations of a
tariff for revenue only can learn, without
another trial, by Il glance at tho then oondi-
ton Of the country. As the tariff was re-
duced every year, the business of the coun-
try fell oft in the same ratio, until, in 1910
and 1912, when free trade succeeded, the
nation was crushed, there was no business,
10 money: the revenue fell off to almost
nothing, the Van Buren, Administration re-
sorted to the unauthorized issue of treasury
drafts, when there was not dollar in the
Treasury to meet them. The only money
i'll circulation Was Of the most worthless
sort-shinplasters for the common working
people, wildcat bank paper for larger ope-
rationS, gold for the oiice-holders, and treas
ury drafts for the Government creditors
which brokers would shave at Il discount
for bank paper, which WAS also at Il discount
DEMOCRATS HURLED FROM POWER,
Such was tho condition of the country in
1910, when the people, oppressed until fur
Their torbearance was out of the question,
rose up in Il mass and hurled their un-
worthy servants from power by the election
of General Harrison.
We are now down to more modern times
The tariff of 1912 was enacted. The people
had been starved into their senses, and they
revolted from their masters. The protec-
tive tariff changed every thing as if by
magic; Congress legalized the Illegal issue
of treasury notes; manufacturing tlouriShed:
business of every kind revived; money be-
came abundant, and happiness, prosperity,
and contentment every where prevailed; the
Treasury was full: the credit of the Govern
ment was restored and the people were
prosperous again. One would suppose that
after those repeated experiments, all teach
ing the same lessons, that we had reached
the end of tariff tinkering: bur not so. This
beneticent measure, which had wrought
such a surprising transformation and had
raised the nation from bankruptcy and ruin,
was superseded by the tariff of ls4, which
ohliterated the protective feature, and was
in fact ''tariti' for revenue only" Then
commenced The hla@lIest page in the history
of this country. The succeeding Admins
tri,iionS of Polk, Pierce, and buchanan are
so we'll known for their weakness and wick
ednesS, their tol!ieS and their crimes, and
their blunderS worse than crimes, that |
may 10 spared. and may spare your read
erS, the humiliating recital,
At the close of the last Democratic Ad-
ministration, which ardeuily hope will be
the last, under the operation of Il tariff for
revenue only. which did not produce reve-
nue., the Treasury had become so poor that
there was not money to pay the ordinary
civil service, and so low was the credit of
the Government that Il loan of s., 900, 900 in
time of peace, to pay its current expenses,
could nat 1T effected hut at the most eXor-
hitant rates of interest, Not only was that
50, but completely with rebellion and trea-
son had SO paralvzed the Administration
that the Government was crumbling to
pieces.
This was the condition of affairs when
Mr.. Lincoln WAS called to take
TitE HELM or STATE.
Look 1T the picture then and now. Then
there was a gigantic rebellion which had
been ioStered and encouraged by the former
Administration: not a dollar in the Treas
nrN. tho uaIinull rrl.Llit nnue no army