The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-11
MIR. wATTERsoN,s BLUNpER,

| Mr.. Watterson, of the Louisville Courier
Journal, the reputed father of the inter-
jected phrase 'for revenue only" in the
Democratic platform of 1880, and which, as
much as anything helped to defeat his
party in that campaign, is unhappy because
some of his fellow Democrats persist in rub
bling in upon him this unpleasant fact. The
speech of Hon. Henry B. Payne, at the
Cleveland celebration of the anniversary of
the battle of New Orleans, has wrought up
the Courier-Journal editor nightly and in
yesterdays edition appears an article cover
ing nearly three columns, presumably taken
up.entirely by the discussion of the tariff
issue. In spirit of revenge, probably, and
with the hope of escaping further persecu-
ton on this sore point, Mr.. Watterson I'M
qualifiedly lays the paternity of the "for
revenue only child upon Mr.. Voorhees, now
an outspoken advocate of protection.
The absurdity of such charge is apparent
upon its face, The responsibility for the
blunder cannot be so lightly shifted. Men
Brown, and Mr.. Randall whose outspoken
sentiments in favor OF protecting American
industries are all that prevent a general
stampede from party that fosters dangerous
free-trade doctrines cannot be overridden
easily. The country protested against that
fallacy in 1880, and Che Democratic Congress
elected lastNovember will not dare put free
trade ideas into practice. Every forge-fire
in the land, every blazing furnace, every
whirling saw and ringing hammer, is protest
against breaking down the barriers that keep
out ruinous competition. Every laborer who
receives better wages in America than he
could possibly make in Europe
is vitality interested in the maintenance
of the tariff in some such form as will keep
open the mills and factories which give him
employment.
And nowhere is it more important that
protective tariff be maintained than in In
diana. We are destined to be manufacture
ers Our vast coal fields make it inevitable,
if we are not underbid by the half-paid work
men across the sea. Every mechanic in In
diana is personally interested in keeping up
protective tariff No less so is every farmer
and producer. With busy workshops and
wel-paid mechanics there will be home
market for farm products at prices that will
literally pay the agriculturist for his la
Dor The benefit is universal-one hand will
help the other, and the result will be to the
advantage of ALL
The cry for free trade comes properly from
the Courer-J ournal, whose editor is the puta-
tive father of the fatal for revenue only" and
his attempt to foist the responsibility upon
an earnest protectionist like VOORHEES, can
but bring upon him the pity if not con-
tempt, of honest men. The Democratic
party is at sea on this vital question. The
wisest of the party see the folly of free trade,
and are anxious to avoid standing in such
shadows The party of blunders, having
blundered i'll opposing the civil-seryice re-
form bill, will doubtless blunder again in
advocating free trade before people whose
prosperity Immediately depends upon wise
system of protection. The Courier-Journal
would scarcely be so jealous in its defense of
free trade had it not been the means of com
hitting the party to the "for revenue only
folly, which cost Democratic defeat in the
last national campaign.