Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-06-16
SATURDAY. JUNE II. 1883.
DEMOCRATIC SUBTIu.TY.

square night In this country on the tarlH
question, with the people thoroughly
posted, and competent to render a ra-
tional verdict on the subject. The Re-
publican party are anxious for such a
contest, and invariably, in private and
public, individually and collectively, af-
firm the wisdom and rightfulness of a
tariff that will protect our industries,
save our business, enlarge our wealth,
and increase our prosperity. Republic
cans have convictions on the question
that compel them, from principle, to urge
protection. and are willing to risk
Presidential contest on the issue, as be-
tween tariff for protection, and tariff for
revenue only, confident in favorable re-
suit, but willing rather to be defeated in
good cause than assume a wrong posi-
tion on such vital matter. They are
assured that an abolition of the tariff.
save only for revenue, would so cripple
the nation from the start. so depress all
business interests, and introduce such
wide spread suffering, distress and dig
satisfaction, that the people would soon
sdenOunce the sophistry and evil of free
trade and return to protection. We have
absolute free trade throughout the states,
and protection is to enable us to devel-
Op our natural resources, and retain our
present advantage over all other nations
on the earth. From the terrific panic of
1873 we rapidly recovered under protec-
tiOn, and we could not have done it I'M
der free trade. We have raw material Of
every kind from which to manufacture
articles of every nature. We are young,
undevelOped country, just begun in the
marvellous march of unprecedented
greatness and power. If the law Of pro-
lection is permitted to work on, all Is
we'll, If free trade obtains, untold evils
will come to the poor. Capital can rent
and make money, can always take care
of itself, and will not pay good wages
unless money is made, but being divert
ed to other channels for profit, the labor
ing man will be left without employ
ment, unless he is willing to adopt star
walton prices received by European
wOrkmen. Protection is the best friend
the laborer has to-day; nothing so fully
protects poor men, working women and
laboring children as protection.
Now why does not the Democratic
party accommodate the country with an
honest fight on clearly understood
issue? They ostensibly believe in and
profess to teach tariff for revenue only,"
but are afraid to 80 declare themselves.
In Iowa where Democrats have no hope
of political heaven, have made up their
minds to accept defeat in the state for
ever, they are afraid to come out fully
aud clearly on the subject. but resort to
thin, gauzy cunningness, hoping there
by to catch votes. They declare "for
stariff for revenue only, By gradual but
persistent reduction of protective tariff"
Who ever read a more absurd state
ment? Reduction must be gradual,
and persistently made to last ad infin-
ium. There is a tiny. mosquito head
with Jumbo tail, Starting out on free
trade, winds up with protection. As long
as the reduction process continues (and
it may continue indefinitely they are
mot in favor of tariff for revenue only.
They fare afraid in Iowa where they
boast fOrty-six free trade clubs to cut
down revenue receipts from $2l5,OO0OOO
annually, to $25,O0O,OOO orl$3O,O 100000 an
:nually. They initiate the devil and use
.subtlety and make an india rubber good
Lord and good devil kind of statement
that can be adjusted to prOtectionist
,Or free trader, in order to catch votes.
1T is not because the Democrats in Iowa
are idiots that they projected such an
imbecile statement as defining their at
titude on this question, but because they
were afraid and tried to hide themselves.
Kentucky with $4,000 majority does not
endorse uncomprOmisingly the lunacy of
free trade. Iowa with hopeless minority
dare not stand 1at-footed on the tariff
for revenue only. Now what will Ohio
do? We expect more honesty from the
Buckeye State.
NEW ORLEANS is actively engaged in
preventing pestilence, and while this is
commendable in the extreme south, it
would be wise in the north, even here, to
adopt more thorough precautionary