The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1882-05-25
Mr. HILLS Speech.

The speaker began by assuring his
hearers that he was not a candidate
for any Office, aud after paying a neat
ly worded compliment to the ladies
who graced the occasion by their
presence he started 10 speak Of the
necessity Of clear understanding of
the rights and privileges Of American
citizenship and the need Of e.er-
cising due care in the casting Of a bal
lot that shall decide for veal or for
woe the future Of this commonwealth.
He spoke Of the speech recently made
in this city by the Democratic candi-
date for Congress, and thought that
that gentieman's position on the Chi
nese and tariff questions was not con-
sistent with the facts nor compatible
with justice. In regard to the former
question Mr.. Hill was OF the opinion
that the matter Of excluding the
Chinese was not {. party issue, but
were it SO declared he charged that it
was Democratic president that intro
duced official executive action con-
cerning their Immigration to our
shores, and that it was Democratic
legislation that fostered the diplo-
macy that eliminated in the Burlin-
game treaty. He explained Republi-
can action in this matter and claimed
that to the united effort of Republi-
can and Democratic Congressman of
this coast is due the fact that after the
4th of next August ~ Chinaman can
land upon American soil. After
spending about forty minutes in dis
cussing this much vexed question and
impressing his hearers with the senti-
ments 80 universally prevalent CON
cerning the Mongolian influx, Mr.
Hill turned his attention to the tariff
He was of the opinion that the rash
ness of youth and the inexperience of
embryo statesmen should be devoted
70 the pursuit Of knowledge upon this
complex problem, and that studious
effort should be made To understand
the matter in all its bearings before
venturing to rush in where grave and
learned men do fear 10 tread. He was
of the opinion that the best Interests
OF our country demanded a certain
amount Of protection for the manu-
featuring interests, and that a due ie
gard for American .abor made plain
the necessity for throwing around chat
labor such safeguards as should protect
the American artisan from foreign
competition with cheap labor, and
foster the manufactures OF this coun-
try to such an extent that American
labor might always be well remInera-
ted. The speaker thought that belief
in the tariff vas gaining ground in the
United States; that the west and
south were beginning to place more
belief in its political and commercial
necessity than heretofore, and that
Oregon, if it expected to occupy the
proud place in the sisterhood Of states
that its resources justify and make
possible, should be heartily in favor
of tariff, of a policy which ne
thought it would be snicilai TO reject
or destroy. Mr.. Hill was sarcastic in
reference to those who did not agree
with HIM and seemed hardly disposed
to concede TO Others the consistency
which he claimed for himself He
devoted about three-quarters OF au
hour TO discussion 81 the question
aud displayed an intimate knp~ladga
of his subject, and an earnsstness oj
manner that showed te sincerely be-
lieved the truth of tne sentiments I.
which he gave uiLerance.
Passing on from the s.atemcn, ot
belief on this matter he entered upon
a comparison of the two parties, which
was from his standpoint somewhat
uncomplimentary to the Democratic
side of the house. He styled the De
mocracy an aggregation of obstruc
tionists, and thought that it was bu
necessary to announce any needed
measure for them to oppose it, ant
but needful that such measure shOulG
be demonstrated to be successful +
insure hearty commendation from it
former opponents after time had justi
fed the belief of its projectors. Afte
: several sparkling sailies of wit ant
; auecdote, which were enthusiastically
l received by his audience, Mr.. Hi
5 spoke OF two things that We were gia
: to hear spoken of from politics
rostrum. ousit had all the charm tha
; novelty can inspire and intrinsic trut
: can give, to hear political speake
t come right out squarely in favor {
: making the Astoria land grant be foi
: feited and restored to the nation;
domain for bona fide settlers I
0 take up aud hold in peace and safet!
0 TIE AsToRIAN is the only paper in Ii