The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-07-11
TARIFF.

The tariff plank in the platform of the
Democratic party in Ohio is one which
must commend itself to the party all over
the Union, as expressing in no ambig-
nous and uncertain manner the true
policy and doctrine of the Democratic
party on this much vexed question.
They have sounded what we consider
the key note along the line and an
nounced their osition and one upon
which all conservative elements can
stand. In essence it means a tariff con.
sistent with the needs of the govern
ment for revenue and only such protec-
ton as needful to foster and encourage
home industry. There lisa middle ground
between absolute free trade and ultra
protection and as long as the party takes
the middle ground and lives up to it
neither of the others can ever rise to the
dignity of real issue; both are dan
gerous extremes and the success of either
would be disastrous. The cry and bonn
combe that it protects our labor as against
the pauper labor of England, is a fraud
and q humbug too shallow to admit of
serious argument. 1t is fact that those
industries which receive the highest pro-
lection are those in which workmen
receive wages which more nearly ap-
proach those in England for the same
labor. 1t is the duty, policy and doctrine
of conservative Democracy to stand be-
tween these two extreme elements and
upon such an issue they should command
the support of conservative people of all
parties. 1t has been charged that the
Democratic party was free trade party,
but under existing conditions in our
comparatively new country, no such
doctrine has ever been espoused, that is
we mean absolute free trade, nor will it
likely be living issue for some time to
come. 1t may be true, that there are
sections of our country which would be
as mich benefited by free trade as pro-
lection would be beneficial to another,
while as reverse proposition free trade
would be more detrimental to some Sec
lions than the advantages would be to
others and true craftsmanship would not
lead us to take step which would blight
any industries, but it would be Just as
wrong to give such protection as would
amount to monopoly. The greatest good
to the greatest number is what should be
sought for.
Too many are inclined to think that
our country which has rrospered SO
has done so under protection
and as result of the system. This is
shallow argument. 1t has pospered
under increase of population and new
areas opened up to settlement and cult
walton. The wealth and power for great
ness is yet in the hands of the honest
yeomanry and in our vast and productive
areas. 1t is only capital that is protected,
labor is not, as many hard handed son
of toll has learned ere now. The price of
his labor is not increased in proportion
to the value Of the product of his labor,
but it goes in as increased profits to his
will not give cent more,
than labor can command from him. The
memorable law of supply and demand
governs the matter. The Democracy of
Ohio have only asserted the true doctrine
clearly and forcibly and not left it to
misconception and misconstruction as
the last National Convention did. Upon |
that platform we are prepared to plant
and pin our faith upon it's ulti-
mate success