The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-08-28
Senator Sherman Speaks.
The Two Parties Compared-His Views on
the Tariff Question.

Senator John Sherman made his first speech
in the Ohio campaign at Fiudlay Saturday
night. Like all his speeches it was a clea
and straightforward expression Of opinion on
the issues Of the campaign. The following
extracts indicate its temper and convincing
power.
THE TWO PARTIES
1t is because believe the Republican party,
from its history and its principles, can best pro-
mote the common good of all the people Of the
United States that 1 support and have sup
ported it from the date OF its organization.
What it did before the war, and during the
war and since the the war, has been time and
again approved by the American people. Our
Democratic fellow-citizens, though opposing
out measures at the time, have since acqui-
esced, approved and supported them after
their adoption. They cannot now name
single question Of party difference for 25 years
upon which they now venture to take issue
with us. They do not even put forward their
well-tried leaders. They have now in success
sion nominated three gentlemen for Governor
OF Ohio who each have been warm aud ardent
supporters OF the principles of the Republican
party. mean General Ewing, Mr.. Book
walter and Judge Hoadly. All these distin-
guished and able gentlemen have been Repub-
lican partisans as have, and Judge Hoadly
has, L think, been rather more free in his de-
nunciation of the Democratic party than I.
To the extent, therefore, Of acquiescence in
the great issues that have divided us in tho
past the Democratic party comedies that we
were right. If they wished to try with us the
old question OF State rights and national au-
thority, of sound money or fiat money, Of tar
i'll for protection or tariff for revenue only
why do they not nominate some one commit
ted o thesa dnctrines2 The Democratic party
will not meet us on the principles and tenden-
ces OF the two parties. 1t is struggle with
NInww~ oh. nk11T L.
only a choice between Republicans, then pre-
fer to support Judge Foraker, who has carried
the Republican banner in war and in peace
without halting by the wayside. And 1t
would seem to me, II the contest is between
Republicans, that Democrat who believes
that his party has been right In all these long
years of contest would prefer the
frank and open opponent to the new convert In
pursuit OF Office. What / claim is that the
measures adopted and the principles main
tanned By the Republican party have been ap-
proved by the people and acquiesced in by the
Democratic party, and that it has ho just claim
for political power unless it shows in new is
sues they are right and we are wrong. Now,
fellow-citizens, what are these new questions?
Where shall we find them stated? II we look
to the platforms Of the two parties we will find
in the Republican platform a clear, plain re-
affirmation OF the principles and policy 1t has
adopted and executed for the last twenty-five
years. 1t declares for the maintenance OF .
tariff system that will protect American pro-
ducers and labor. 1t declares first that it ap-
proves the Scott law taxing the sale of spirits
and also approves the submitting Of two tenn
perance amendments to the people. There is
no equiyoeation, evasion or doubt in our posi-
ton. How is 1t with the Democratic plat
form? They reafirm all their principles and
all their platforms, state and national, since
the time OF Jetferson-a medley Of confusion
and inconsistency, Their tariff section ia q
wonder of evasion that any one might assent
to without committing himself to anything.
They are opposed to sumptuary legislation and
unequal taxation in any form. Well, who Is
not? But are they in favor of taxing the sale
OF spirits and beer? Do they favor the repeal
of the tax law? No man can tell from their
platform. 1t is not a candid statement of po-
litical principles.
THE TARIFF ISSUE.
Fellow citizens, this subject Of the tariff iE
now the most important subject OF national
politics, and upon it the Democratic party is no
more frank or just to the people than Judge
Hoadly was on wool. If the Democratic party
carries Ohio this fall, it will be greatly encour-
aged to break down the protective policy
which the Republican party has built up and
maintained for more than 20 years. We know
that the controlling element OF this Demo-
cratic party is opposed to this policy. Say
what they will, If the Democratic party gets
control OF Congress and the executive Office,
the system of American industry will 5e
revenue only" This is an ever nving question
of American politics. Moro speeches have
been made on it in Congress than on any other
topic except slavery. Now, the best way to
| test all theories ia by experience. In this
| country we have tried both systems thorough
ly. For IA years before the war we had q
| tariff for revenue only, based upon the Walker
| tariff OF 1916; and since 1861 we have had a
protective tariff, based upon .he Morrill, bill of
1 that Has a tariff for rEaA
for the benefit of favored manufacturers?
How could 1t? Every American has the equal
right to engage in and pursue any business Of
manufacture in any part of the country with
out preference or favor. Protection makes,
within the limits of our country, the most
absolute free trade. 1t operates only on
foreign productions. The only advantage
the American has is over the foreigner,
and that advantage is that the for
eigner on his productions has to pay
tax which the American does not pay. Pro-
lection to American industry means like
protection to every American engaged in the
same industry. 1t is said it creates monopolies
and special privileges. This is great error.
s conferred upon all of 100000 of
people. Every American citizen mas the same
advantage. A patent gives the inventor q
monopoly for a time. but protective tariff
gives equal rights to 50,000,000 Of our people,
and only gives them privileges or advantages
| against the outside world. The benefits of the
| system are open to all, and are shared by all.
| We claim that protection helps to build up and
| diversity our industries. This is shown by the
enormous growth of domestic manufactures In
| all branches. You need no statistics to show
| you this. Diversity of pursuit is the greatest
| element of national wealth and strength. A
nation limited to single pursuit. even so i'm
portant as that OF agriculture, is sure to decay.
Farming can only be profitable by having the
consumer OF his surplus produce near at hand.
Subdivision OF labor, multitude of pursuits
and the interchange of commodities make the
wealth of every nation. No country is capable
| OF such diversified industry as the United
| States. n , other has such varied resources.
| The protection policy alone has enabled us %
| open our mines and build our workshops and
| advance our country to be the second or third
manufacturing people Of the world. A protec-
| tive tariff enables the manufacturer to employ
| labor at higher wages than elsewhere.
This question Of the wages OF labor Ia
| the vital argument in favor OF protection.
| Capilal needs no protection. 1t may lie idle,
| with or without an opportunity for investment,
or may be drawing interest, but the laborer is
| compelled by daily wants to be busy. He can
not wait l would net vote for duty or a tar
merely to add to the profits Of money or capi-
| tai 1t is the effect of such tax in increasing
wages, in opening up new employments for la
Dor and in diversifying our industries that JUS
| titles the tax. That higher rates Of wages ara
| paid in this country than elsewhere is shown
| by tables furnished by the Secretary Of State
lEOIt EbDOrts III tH6 Cnlok countries OF
| the world Our lsborers receive twice or three
| times the wages paid for similar employment
| in Europe, and in this is the marked distinc-
| tion of American and European labor. 1t is
this that brings to our shores more than 500, 900
| annually Of laborers from all European coun@
| tries. The rate of wages enables the Ameri-
can laborer to attain the standard of intelli-
| gence necessary for good citizen, to build up
| a home and educate his children. Break down
this protection and the foreign production will
at once supply our market, destroy our indus
| tries, or compel reelection of wages to the
standard of European labor Judge Hoadly
| was not able to understand how tho American
laborer was benefited by protection ifN
| tic competition reduced the home price o.
article. And yet, as Judge Foraker stated
| actual result of domestic competition, in neaA
| ly all the leading industries Of this country,
| built mp by protection, has been to reduce the
| price of the article to the consumer without
! lessening the wages of the operator. You know
this is true with cotton aud wooden fabrics,
iron, nails, machinery of all kinds. and cutlery
of American manufacture. And it is conced-
ed that the wages here are at least double those
| paid in Europe. Competition at home compels
| new devices improved machinery, economy in