National Republican., 1883-02-17
Lot thc JsSItc he Met,


cnt protective tariff in tangible manner is
tho Cobdcn club OF England, Though silent,
this organization is potent. Its omissarics
aud sympathizcrs in this country arc active
and in earnest. They have an object in view
and an end to attain which will result
in financial gain, therefore do they por-
sistcntly endcavor TO educate the masses
in this country IN tho beauties Of the doc
trino of free trade. As cxemplifying this
fact, it may be said that large sums of money
have been freely given and lavishly OK
pended, while many tons of literature have
been shipped to this country from Great
Britain for the purpose of prosclyting the
people and leading them TO think in the
grooves prepared for them by English minds.
Tho money is usually spent in Washing
ton, while tho literature is distributed
among the people ON their farms. Tho
great northwest has been fairly flooded
with tracts designed to awaken tho antag-
onisms Of farmers against a tariff system
which is represented rs bencfiting only the
dwe Hers in cities while it opprosses the rus.
tic. This chord is dclicatoly touched and
artistica lily played upon, so that the natural
feeling of envy which exists in the rustic
mind toward his pampercd brother in the city
is magnifed and enlarged by sophisms of u
spccious nature, coupled with appeals to
selfshnoss and jealousy. These efforts. have not
been without fruit. They have affected the
and led them to inscnsibly fall into the net
prepared for their capture. The tracts and
pamphlets have been prepared by mon of
distinguished ability and well known powera as
logicians, henco their potency of influence
upon lesser minds. The labOrs Of tho free
traders of England have been supplemented
by the efforts of gentlemen in America who
have been employed by importers and others
interested in purchasing foreign goods. Or
ganizntons have been formed in several
of our eastern cities, which are ostonsbly
social and literary, while they are actually
pervaded by tone and tendency toward this
un-Amcrican doctrine to an alarming extent.
Every conceivable appliance has been used to
affect public sentiment and mislead the popu-
lar will. The democratic party is welded to
this hcresy, and encourages its growth in
every possible manner. British gold can be
procured at any time to aid in securing q
democratic victory, just as British influence,
sympatSy, and aid were freely given to
further the success of the democratic rebel
lion.
The friends Of this republic who SEQ and un-
derstand that protection is necessary to the
national welfare have been earnest and de-
tormined in defense of our home industries,
yet they have not been sufficiently active to
countcrTct the growth of this unfortunate and
mistaken idea in our midst. The attacks of
tho enemy have not been met by SO
full and intelligent an organization as
the gravity of the situation demands.
Literature has been scant and the farmers
have not been enlightened upon the sophistry
which mislcads them. II is not yet too late
to call attention to this matter. Our agricul-
tural masses are n sturdy and honest yeo-
manry. They will read and reason ON both
sides Of the question, aud it is the duty of the
friends of protection to see to it that they
have better opportunities in this matter
hereafter. Our artisans fully appre-
ciato the gravity of the danger which
threatens to reduce them to that condition of
| poverty, which is the common heritage of tho
mendicant laborers and scrfs of Europe. They
will none of it. Free trade has no advocates
in our workshops and factories nor can il
ever hope to find lodgmen5 there. 1t be-
hooves tho press and party to carefully ex-
plain to our great commonwealths of farmers
in the northwest, the specous assump-
tions and illogical deductions of those
who thus subtly and persistently en-
which can result only in disaster to
their welfare and prospects. But little more
than year hence the great parties of this
country will be engaged in national contest
in which this subject will prove to be the
great issnc. In order that tho people may
diligently decide upon the merits of the
controversy they should be given the privilege
of seeing the true side, as they have already
been almost forced to see tho wrong side of
the question. Free traders should ho met
with their own Reorganization, litcra-
turc, and public argument in tho presence of
the people.
|
| Praise from Sir Hubert.