The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-20
DEMOCRATIC PRorEcT1oNIsrs.

additional argument in defense of its posi-
ton on the tariff issue, it can supply it from
high and unimpeachable Democratic sources.
In some respects that would not be saying
much; since, in its present unsettled state,
the Democratic party, in its individual men,
bers, Endorses everything, from the decalogue
to the Decameron of Boccaccio. But it is
noteworthy that, while it cannot be truth
fully denied that the Democratic party is
essentially free trade, quite a number of its
influential adherents are out-and-out protec-
tionists, and in full accord with the
Republican idea. Among these is the
Hon. Daniel W. Voorhees,, of this State,
Democratic United States Senator and one
of the ablest men of bis party. At the pres
ent time Senator VOORHEES, is unequivocally
committed to the doctrine of a protective
tariff in distinction from a tariff for revenue
only which latter is simply verbal mask
for men who favor free trade. But his views
are not the views of his party, and when he
declares for protection he does not give ut
terance TO the sentiment of the Democratic
party. When he made his speech at Atlanta,
and expressed himself in favor of protect
i've tariff his address attracted widespread
attention because it was regarded as
new departure and antagonistic to
the generally accepted Democratic
doctrine. But for this one feature the At
lanta speech would have created no COM
ment whatever, beyond its worth as ltera-
ry performance, and would have been for
gotten inside of fortnight. Senator Voor-
bees must have realized then as did his
political friends, that he was taking a new
departure, and one not unattended with
political risks to himself. The character of
Mr.. Voorhees, divergence from the old party
path was made apparent by the general COM
ment, not unmixed with criticism, that it pro-
voked. The Democratic party as an organi-
cation and as moving power in American
politics is self-pledged to free trade. The
paraphrase of tariff for reve-
nue only" deceives no one who is
not willingly duped. As Mr..
VOORHEES, says "a tariff for revenue only is
an impossibility. Any tariff that is laid
must protect to some extent" 1t is yet an
open question just what Democrats mean by
"a tariff for revenue only" and it is not i'm
possible that few of them would set pretty
high figures on it. But juggle with words
as platform-makers may for the purpose
of holding or catching a few. votes, the
country very we'll knows that once in
power, the Democratic party, If true to itself
and to its principles and history, would soon
see that protection was succeeded by free
trade era, with all that that implies.
It's apparent that so far as the tart IF ques-
ton is concerned, Senator Voorhees, is
squarely on the Republican platform. Unless
held to his ancient party alliance by some
stronger motive than association, he ought
TO abandon it at once. If this question is to
able, he must leave his party or back square
ly down from his present unequivocal po-
sition. There is time enough to
make choice, but thus far he has
shown no disposition to retract.
He makes argument that strikes home when
he points to industrial Terre Haute as an
example OF what protection has done for the
towns and cities of America. What is true
of Terre Haute is equally true of Indian
apolis, New Albany Richmond, Mishawaka,
South Bend, Lafayette, and a score of other
places The industries built up in these
places could never have thrived as they have
under other than protective tariff, and it
will be a difficult matter to persuade the
men in the mills and mines and factories
that their condition will be bettered by let
ting English mechanics come into direct
competition with them. AS Mr.. Voorhees,
says:
There are not less than Is 900 manufactur-
ing establishments in the State, EMPLOYING
at least 10000 hands, nearly all voters. If
any one supposes that any of these people,
or the farmers that supply them food. or the
tradesmen OF whom they buy, will support
movement designed to strike at a system
under which they flourish, and on which
they are more or less dependent especially
when they know that change to free trade
would impose direct taxation as well as
cheaper labor and hamper industry say if
any one supposes this he will find himself
much mistaken"
In the same belief, the New Albany
Ledger one of the ablest Democratic papers
in Indiana, says:
THE voters have heard or read the major
part OF all that has been said or written. At
least they have imbibed enough to have
formed and expressed an opinion on the |
merits of the controversy, and Iroquois ban
quets nor the crack of the sky-rocket news
paper pronunciamentos will change the YER
dict. 1t therefore follows that if the battle |
OF 1884 is fought upon the same line and plan |
of $780, the result will be the same"