The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-04-21
THE FREE TRADE STRADDLERS

The recent Chicago dinner, of the lro-
quois Club" of Free Traders, given to
a number of distinguished Democrats
and Presidential aspirants, prominent
among whom was Senator Bayard, was
in more senses than one, a ''phunny
affair. 1t was intended as Il joyous love
feast of chronic straddlers on the Protec-
ton issue, when Nj. Bayard was to dish
up fresh dose of meaningless oratory
on revenue reform, and disgorge himself
of few fresh platitudes, about dead
issues and free trade. To say that Mayor
Harrison " sobered' the distinguished
statesmen and jewellers, assembled on
that occasion, is to state the case mildly.
1t was, however, exceedingly provoking
that the brilliant success of that free
trade jamboree, should have been spoiled
by Mayor IIarrison's utterances in favor
Of judciouS policy O. silence by the
Democratic party. on the protection
issue To-day" said this wanton dis
turber of the harmony and digestion OF
his hearers, you may make your tariff
for revenue plank in your next resolu-
tions. You will split the Democratic
party. Free trade was Democracy once
Free trade was not Democracy at another
time. Free trade is not Democracy to-
day. In a part of Indiana they tell you,
Give us protection to home industry,
and Mr.. Hurlburt, himself, says tariff
for revenue brings, incidentally. protec-
ton Why talk of it then? You may
win on new d ,ctrine, on a principle OF
that sort, when the finances are III bad
condition. when labor is not winning
proper reward: but you cannot bring on
change of that sort, when a country is
prosperous. You cannot change policy
of government which is fixed in the
minds of the people, when the people
have living wages, and are working every
day for wages. Protection is monster.
Free trade is thing for doctrinal peo-
pie not educated up to it. 1t was good
thing twenty years ago when we held the
power of the Administration in Washing
ton, but take that as your platform and
YOU do not win from the Republican
party single one of its adherents. GU
will drive thousands of our own people
from our ranks, and you will probably
have Presidential candidate writing
letter at the wrong moment that kills
your PLATFORM
The explosion of this dynamite was
terrific. "Mr. Bayard looked dark and
moved away from the table. Iurlburt
and Congressman Springer held whis-
pered conference. The club men sat
glum, and not syllable of applause es-
capped them
Other distinguished gentlemen present
did not confine themselves to indignant
silence or black looks, but used words
that do not appear well in print, and the
assembled statesmen aud platform and
President makers speedily dispersed to
their several habitations and hotels.
Evidently it was not because the re-
elected candidate of the Chicago slums
spoke his views with startling caEdor,
but in spite of the personality, position
and record of the speaker, that Mayor
Harrison brief speech was so destruc-
tive and dispersive in its effects. 1t was
because he told the truth as to the po-
litical situation, about which the Demo
cratic leaders, the most of them free
traders in disguise, while clamoring for
"revenue reform" and tariff for reve
nue. only. seek to deceive the masses OF
The American people. The "dear peo'
ple," however, saw through the thin dis
guise, in 1880, and will. in spite of Demo
cratic platforms, exhibit no less percep
ti,p in 1894