The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-03-17
TARIFF REFORM.
The Subject as Viewed by Joseph
Medill Of the Chicago Tribune
A Speech Delivered Before the American
Agricultural Association at the
ARAual Meeting in ChloaaS.

The Hon. John B. arInnell, OF Iowa,
introduced Mr.. Joseph Aedill, editor OF
the Chicago Tribune. who, he said, was
a little heteFOdOX on the subject Of a
protective tariff. Mr.. Nedill spoke as
follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the
Convention: The responsibility for my
appearing before you this morning rests
entirely on my friend Mr.. Grinnell. DE
called to see me day or two ago and in
Vited me to come over here and talk be-
fore this representative body of agricul-
turalists Ou the tariff. l respectfully
declined, and supposed that was the end
of the invitation. To my surpri"e In
the next issue of the morning papers |
discovered my name was put down for
a speech on the subject of the Tariff
Commissioners report, to be delivered
to-day at IL O'Clock. ILRuRhter.l He
seemed TO think that Granger had a
right to take any liberties with the press
that he pleases. had nothing else to
do but comply. The TaTih Is TOO large
IA subject to discuss In one talk, or
dozen for that matter. 1t is the largest
of all American political and eeonOmi-
cal questions, and no man can discuss
more than phase or two of 1t at one
hearing Ny talk, warn you, will be
rather OF a general character than a
statistical misunderstanding little
here and there on the great subject pro-
lection sO-called-Of plueking the farm
ers, as call 1t.
As yOn were warned by my Iowa
friend, Mr.. Grinnell, that was little
heterOdox on protection, might as we'll
confess to the indictment. Like Mr..
Grinnell, l was brought up on high tarih
in early life,
IN THE SCHOOL OF HENRY CLAY,
and believed his teachings that high
tax on consumers benefited farmers.
l believed this delusiOn up to the high
standard OF protection laid down by the
Pennsylvania Democracy, who demand
good deal higher tariff than Henry
Clay ever advocated. In the course Of
years, by further reflection, reading and
observation, l found myself changing in
opinion as to theibenefits Of system Of
high taxes levied upon imports as a
good thing for the American people, and
especially farmers. began TO doubt II,
and suspect my old fellow labOrer In
the protection school. Mr.. Grinnell, is
also weakening" little himself In the
same direction. Laughter.l He Is a
practical farmer, as you gentlemen are,
and as was In younger life spent a
good many years in the trade OF agrl-
culture. l say, gentlemen, acquiring
the trade" because l claim there is no
mechanical occupation OF which l have
any knowledge that requires longer
time or more experience to learn we'll
and understand correctly than agricul-
ture. The man who has not been
brought up to the trade of farmer, but
who has spent his juvenile life in a
city and then goes on farm expecting
that he can make a success OF 1t, Will
discover when too late that he has sadly
deceived himself. Ny observation and
judgment are that not one city-ored
man in hundred, however Intelligent,
who transfers himself and family to
farm, will make 1t pay. l care not how
much capital he may start In with, ne
will sooner OF later get through with
1t. He will make fearful mistakes for
years.
Farmers sons flock into the city by
thousands every year and many OF them
succeed in one thing or another. They
acquire trades, or get into stores, shops,
OF railroad or law Offices, doctors offices,
printing offices (Rs did and get along
well. 1t Is infinitely easier
for farmers boy to come to city and
succeed than for tOwnsmRn's son to go
into the country and make good farm
or. The current is all frOmithe country
into the town, like water running down
hill and not the other way.
Ny purpose in making these ObserVa-
tiOns at this stage of my remarks Is to
combat one of the most ancient, per
sistent prOtectiOnist errors and grOssest
1blusiOns imposed upon the farmers
in the whole catalogue Of protection
frauds.
1 was told from my earliest boyhOOd,
and still hear 1t constantly repeated
see 1t In the papers and read 1t in pro-
lection speeches-that unless the farm
ers In the United States continue to per-
NIT high protective tarifR TO be levied
upon them for the benefit Of the manu-
tacturers Of the towns the latter will
close up their shops en- masse aud quit
at mechanism, will abandon
The cities, overflow the country, take
possession Of the land, double the guam
tity of agricultural products, break
down prices, destroy the home market,
and ruin your business, because they
would not work at smaller wages in un-
projected factories.
AVERSION OF CITY woRKMRN TO FARM
LIRR.
think you have heard that sort of
threat good many hundr cd times, and
sven some Of 1t within the. last twenty
four hours in this hall. You are gravely
told that nothing keeps millions OF city
people from pouring out upon the farm
ers except high protective tariff which
enables them to charge you 80 or 80 per
sent. extra for their wares. 1t Is all de-
lusion, fraud, a humbug. There Is not
steam, horse, or moral power, or any
other power, police power not excepted,
that could coax or drive the mechanics
and labOrers of the cities to live and
work at farming. The city people who
were not raised on farms could not be
induced to give up the pleasures of city
life, with the daily papers, the operas,
theatres, shows, parade5, clubs,
sOirees, dances, festivals, drinking
places, the gambling hells-in short the
sights and sounds of city
life and exchange them all for the quasi
solitude and hard labor which the sue
cessful farmer must endure. 1t Is all
nonsense to affirm that city people will
ever 20 out In the country and toll on
farms as you have worked, for any con-
No, sir. IL Ia the least thing
you have to lear. 1t Is the smallest and
of of all your spprehensiOnsa and
dangers. Whether you have high tariff
or a low tariff, a revenue tariff or no
tariff, makes no sort of difference in re-
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