The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-08-31

tain minds had jumped to- the conclusion
that we must have no tariff at all; that
we must at once embrace that absolute inn
possibility in our affairs known as free
trade. The present tariff CHS for rexis-
ion. and has been calliEg several years. A
bill for its revision can only originate in
the house.. not in the senate, and those
who have had control of the house are
responsible. But in any revision which
takes place, or in the enactment of any
new tariff, there is no escape from the
principle that to the extent of the revenue
collected il affords protection to American
labor engaged in the MANUFACTURES OF arti-
cles similar to those on which it levies i'm
port duties This great fact must be ad
mitted before intelligent legislation can
take place. We are collecting over 5000.
0O0, 900 year at our custom houses Tor
the support of the government. To that
extent American manufacturers are pro-
tected, and no one can help it, without
abolishlng all tariff laws and resorting to
direct taxation to make up the deficiency
in the revenue. / hear that am arraigned
by people who either can not or win not
comprehend this subject for making pro-,
tective tariff speech in the senate. VIII
someone show me how to make speech
in favor of any kind of tariff which has
no protection in it? And if in every tariff
ever known, or that will ever be known,
there is as much protection as there is
revenue, which is as certain as the laws
of mathematics, / should be glad to be
informed why | may not claim for the
people of Indiana their honest share of
such protection when they are paying
their full share of such revenue. stand
on solid ground on this issue, and do not
7 IL If<,1 III.
their right names. If you are for free
trade. say so, and embrace the conse-
quences. If you are for tariff at all you
are for a system of laws which collects
revenue and also protects American in
dustries. You can not imagine, much less
devise, a tariff which does not perform
both these useful functions No man can
answer this proposition; it has never been
answered, and it never will be. Let us
then, like sensible people, recognize the
element of protection well as the ele-
ment of revenue. and place it where il will
do the most good to American interests.
This is the principle formulated in the
democratic state platform of Aug. 3, and
/ stand squarely upon it. Ii is in harmony
with the true interests of all classes in In
diana. The agricultural and manufactur-
ing resources of Indiana are both very
l.
together in fraternity, and not engaged in
iarring hostility. - --@----@- =
Mr.. VOORHEES, then took up the
PLATFORM OF THE TWO PARTIES
as adopted at their recent state conven-
tions. He said he was very proud of In
diana, and was not aware that her consti-
tuition was so much in need of amendment
as some claim it is. Thirty years that
constitution has stood sheitering, blessing.
educating, and prospecting the people.
Thirty years ago it was framed by demo
cratic wisdom, and from that hour to this
it has guaranteed justice, order, civil
and religious liberty TO all the citizens of
the state. In what respect had it failed?
The progress and development of Indiana
under her present constitution are without
parallel in the United States, or in the
world. / have had occasion recently to
examine this question and to make COM
parsons. In proportion to area Indiana
has in the last thirty years, in the develop
ment of her gigantic resources, outstripped
every other state in the union. Aud all
this splendid development of wealth.
mental culture, and exceptional morality
has taken place by virtueof the principles
of the constitution which is now all of a
sudden defective The constitution is not
only the offspring of democratic con-
stitutional convention, as I have stated
but is has been administered during more
than twe-thirds. of its existence by demo
cratic hands. Need we be ashamed of our
work Need we shrink from a comparison
with our sister state, with Maine, Kansas, |
or Iowa, who are covering themselves with |
lawsls~ Are we sunk in vice. |
crime and Ignorance for the |
want of prohibitory law? On the contrary, |
there is less crime, less vice, and less |
ignorance in proportion to population in |
Indiana to-day than in any prohibition state |
in the union, and the cold figures of the |
census demonstrate it. for one do not |
want to amend the constitution of Indiana |
At all at this time lis fruits, its result, /
please me. 1t is only the good tree from |
which good fruits are gathered. MEN do |
not gather grapes from thorns, nor figs from |
thistles.'
But let us look a little closer at these |
TWO platforms on the subject of amending |
The constitution of the state. How has this /
ssue been
THRUST UPON THE PEOPLE?
A republican legislature was, unfortunate
" for the peace and welfare of the state
elected in Indiana. in 1880, aud convened |
IN January, 1881. Was that legislature |
choseni en- thatissue2 Did the people of |
Indiana elect the members Of that body at |
that time with the expectation or UNDER
standing that an amendment to the con
stitution was tn be thrust back in their /