The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-27
THE OHIO CANVASS.
Points from Speech Delivered by Senator
Sherman at Findlay.


Sherman at Findlay.
FIYDLAY, Aug. Ex-senator Sherman ad-
dressed a Republican meeting in this city to-
day, and in the course of bis speech said
Fellow citizens: This subject of the tariff
is 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
Ii the Democratic party carries Ohio this
fall it will be greatly encouraged to break
down the protective policy which the Repub-
lican party has built up and maintained for
more than twenty years. We know that the
controlling element of the Democratic party
is opposed to this policy. Say what they
VIII, If the Democratic party gets control OF
congress and the executive office the system
OF American industry will be broken down
by what is called "a tariff for revenue only"
Ihls is an everything question of Ameri-
can politics. More speeches have been
made on it in Congress than on any other
topic except slavery. The books on free
trade and protection would fill a library.
The opposing theories are we'll stated in
little book, by Mr.. Stebbns, l hold in my
hand
"If our protective tariff system works for the
benefit OF favored manufacturers, giving veal
thy capitalists unjust monOpOlies and privileges
at the cost OF their employees and of the people,
helping to enrich the few at the expense of the
many, iG is not tit to live day. If Ii helps to
build up great and varied domestic industries;
TO employ labor Mt higher wages than elsewhere;
TO perfect and cheaper the product of our mills
ny healthy competition; to open larger and
better home market for our farmers; to develop
our great natural resources. to furnish revenue
to our government; to help our financial and in
dustral independence, and to enrich and en-
large the daily thought and life of our people, it
should he sustained"
Now, the best way to test all theories is by
experience. In this country we have tried
both systems thoroughly. For fourteen
years before the war we had tariff for reve-
nue. only, based upon the Walker tariff of
1886; and since 1861 we have had protective
tariff, based upon the Morrill, tariff bill of
that year. Has the tariff for twenty years
worked for the benefit OF favored manu-
facturers? How could itP Every American
has the equal right to engage in and
pursue any business of manu-
facture in any part of the country without
preference or favor. Protection makes,
within the limits of our country, the most
absolute free trade. 1t operates only on for
eign productions. The only advantage the
American has is over the foreigner, and that
advantage is that the foreigner on his pro-
auctions has to pay a tax which the Ameri-
can does not pay. Protection to American
industry means like projections to every
American engaged in the same industry. 1t
Is said it creates monopolies and special priv
lleges. This is great error. Any benefit
conferred by tariff law is conferred upon
all of our fifty millions of people. Every
American citizen has the same advantage.
A patent gives the inventor a monopoly for
time, but protective tariff gives equal
rights to fifty millions 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.
A speech made by distinguished senator
from the South, Mr. Morgan, from Alabama,
states the effect of a tariff TO raise the wages
OF labor, as an argument against it. He was
opposing duties on iron and coal because it
advanced the rate of wages to the cotton
grown in Alabama. He said:
"There is Birmingham, which is growing up
In great prosperity; but whether 1t is going to
add dollar to the wealth Of Alabama is a
problem. If Birmingham is to raise the price of
farm labor all over the State twenty five cents a
day, or something like that, the farmers will
have to give up cotton planting, and will have
TO stop, else IL will have to be planted entirely
on the hills by the few white people who are
scattered about among them or If Birming CHAM,
or any other Industry in Alabama, Is to draw
the labor from the cotton plantations, do not
see how We to conduct our great aggieul-
tural enterprises. l shall begin to believe after
a while that IL is more of a curse than blessing
iron in the bosom OF our State"
The answer to all this is that the farmer of
Alabama can make more money by raising
corn and pork to feed the miners in Alabama
than in raising so much cotton, But it will
take a generation in the South to teach what
the farmers of Ohio know as to the benefits of
diversified productions