Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-12-13
A REPUBLICAN LEADER ON A PRO
TECTIvE TARIFF.

The difference between the Republic
can position on the tariff during cam
paign, and their position between times,
Is about the difference between tariff
and anti-tarifi;, or high protection and
free-trade.
The attitude which the Republican
press and Republican speakers are now
taking ON the subject Of the tariff, is in
singular contrast to that occupied dur
ing the hate Presidential campaign.
Democratic principles have not been
defeated at any election since the war,
but the same insincere and demtgogical
tactics of the Republican party which
time and again have won them tempo.
rary advantage, were used inthe last
csmpaign and actually caused d STAN.
petle in some manufacturing districts,
by the cry that the Democrats were
about TO ruin manufactures BY enaeting
iree-tFade. 4
The position Of the Republican lead
ers now shows how entirely disgrace
full to the good sense Of the country is
the fact that they were able to influence
public sentiment upon so shallow and
insincere cry as that. A man is for
tariff or free trade not because he is a
Republican OF Democrat, nor Is he a
Republican or Democrat because either
party is for tariff or free trade.
Both Republicans and Democrats are
accustomed to follow their individ-
ual interests or the interests of
their respective localities upon the ques-
ton of tariff This fact is demonstrated
in every public discussion or contest
over the tariff.
At Brooklyn, New York, there is
"Revenue Reform Club,n which is in
viting discussion of the whole subject
of tariff by leading distinguished men
Of both political parties.
HENRY WARD BEECHER opened
these'discussions the other night. And
HENRY WARD BEECHER is one of the
leading lights of the Republican party
i'm the country. He has been a repre-
sentative Republican from the time of
the organization of the party and has
done as much to shape its platforms and
give direction to its policy as any other
man i'll the East
Mr.. BEECHER holds that protective
tariff is organized immortality
scheme by which men of wealth fortify
their position with millions rolled up at
the expense of the multitude.
Commerce" he observes, "shOuld
not be put in bondage, but commerce Is
in chainS-a prisoner at the heels of
manufacturers. Instead of being an
| eagle it is Il mere dunghill fowl. Now
| shipS want n bounty to keep on the
ocean. Protective tariffs cut out from
| under men the motive TO Use all skill
| and generous competition. They fall
back on the artificial aid. Our present
| tariff system, most vicious agglOmera-
J ton, makes the average tax % per cent.
! We can hold our own i'll spite
/ of foreign labor. The pro-
tective tariff raises the wages
! of an, 800 labOrcrS out of l0,0OO,0OO at
| the expense of the rest, and at the eX-
penSe of the increased rents and cost of
food. We must manufacture to rise in
intelligence; but our industries do not
need to be fOstered Protection is at
first a whet to enterprise, but it soon de-
StrOyS it,"
Mr. BEECHER further contends that
industries thrive better with no prOtec-
ton: that the tariff does not enhance
wages, because One-third of the wages
ofproducers goes to pay what the tariff
protects. His conclusion is that wheth-
er Congress shelves the subject eventu-
ally or not, free trade will flood the
country at an carly day.
This is the tone in which one of the
leaders of the Republican party talks
after the campaign. And these senti-
ments are in harmony with the present
position of the leading Republican
papers. They are i'm harmony with the
position of Gen. GARFIELD prior to his
receiving the Republican nomination
for the Presidency. They very fairly
represent the sentiment of a large and
influential part of the Republican party
NOR: what their sentiments will be in
another campaign will depend on cir
cumStanceS.