The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-19

employed by his friends. The more we
hear Of him and from him, however, the
better we like him. On Thursday nign''
at banquet in Columbus, he made
statesmaniike declaration Of his creed as Q
national Democrat. We regret very much
that our columns arc so crowded that we
cannot find room for all OF 1t. we are
compelled to content ourselves with giving
what he said on the tariff question. lie
stands upright, fat.footed. and firmly
footed. upon the platform OF the virginia
! Democrats. He said:
THE TARIFF PLANK IN TUE OHIO PLATFORM.
One year ago l vcntured to make pubic
some opinions In regard TO the tarih' re-
cognizing the divergence OF views III the
Democratic party, and declaring tnat such
divergence was the chief obstacle 10 the
success az the party. At the State Con-
yention, IN June. those opinions were con-
sidered, condensed. and crystailized INTO
what has since become well known as the
"Ohio platform" Ii was unanimousi!
approved by the Convention. 1t distinctly
rejects "high tariff" or "protection TOT
projections sake.' on the one hand, anu
| The equally inadmissible doctrine OF Tree
trade" or "tariff for revenue only" on
the other. 1t sought to find compromise
basis intermediate between the TWO eX.
tremes. which, being equitable ana
lust. would challenge the assent ana
concurrence Of all fair-minded men,
and measurably remove II from tue
arena Of partisan politics. Let me
illustrate It's excellence by an application
| 10 the interests OF Ohio. For several de-
cadcs Ohio has held the third rank in the
classification OF States. Until the last Der
main dependence for growth was in the
development OF her agricultural wealth..
| There were public lands TO be entered, I'M
proved, populated, and created into new
counties: there were vast tracts OF valua-
bic timber, the building OF canals iaciiita-
ting TRANSPORTATION to market, and later Il
system of railroads increasing these facili-
ties and cxpendiug annually in their con-
struction many millions OF money.
But now these aspects are greatly
changed. There are now no more
lands subject to entry; there are no more
new counties IN reserve; the valuable TIM
her has been marketed; the canals have
ceased TO be tributary. and the railroad
system is practically completed. The soil
has been considerably impoverished; the
cereal CROPS arc less bOuntiful; while the
great Improvement OF agricultural impie,
ments. with the consolidation OF small
farms. has greatly reduced the demand for
farm. hands. Even her wool staple is in
peril of severe and injurious attack. Is
il not the duty OF craftsmanship to pr
wise the sources of strength and growth
that shall enable her TO maintain
the grand rank which she has hith-
erto held? The last census shows
where those germs OF strength are to he
found. We have already more than twen-
ty thousand manufacturing and mechani-
chi industries, in whicb-induced in great |
part by congressional ,OO0,- |
900 OF capital are invested. 100000 hands |
are employed, receiving annually In wages |
$50, 100000. Two hundred and fifteen mil |
lions of material are used, and the manu- |
featured product is S3iS, 100000 in value. |
More than twenty per cent. OF her popu- |
lation ind their employment and live
lihoood in these industries. lron-ore |
and coal and other raw material are |
simply inexhaustible her people are
ustiOus, and enterprising.
and there is no reason why thousand other
home industries should not spring up and |
flourish in our towns and villages as they |
have sprung up and are flourishing in the |
towns and Villages OF New England.
This will assurcdly be the result II only |
Congress will let us alone. We ask no
high rates or special protection that favors |
but we ask and demand sta |
bility and exemption from agitation. Let
the law OF March last have fair trial. and |
as resulting statistics disclose errors
and inequalities they can and should |
be remedied, as already our farm
ers are making loud ana gust
demand for the restoration OF the duty
on wool. See how admirably the Ohio |
plstform supplies the satisfactory solution
Of this economic problem. 1t reads: "We
favor tariff for revenue" mo resort TO
direct taxation or the voluntary contrlbll-
ton of States) Limited to the necessities |
of the Government (negativing the
idea OF protection for protection only |
" economically administered "-(not three
hundred and fifty or four hum
dred millions, as under Republic |,
can administration of extravaganza |
and waste, but two hundred and fifty |
or two hundred and scventy-ive millions !
under the plain but frugal and efficient
rule OF the Democratic parity and so |
UNEQUAL burdens, encourage productive |
industries at home and afford just compen-
sation for labor, and not to create and |
foster monopolies." No fair criticisms |
can question the business and sounGneSs OF
the policy here outlined. The man who |,
would place wool and all other dutiable
articles on the free list" and resort to
direct taxes for revenue, and thereby
destroy these home industries and dismiss
this army OF labor hands to idleness and
want or drive them in exile from the State,
il not a wise or benefcent friend OF the
people. This platform, then. IN my iuds-
ment, is the fairest and wisest that has
ever been presented for public considera-
ton. 1t may be christencd the three Us
JUDICIoUs, JUST, JACKsONIAN-
and here declare it as my deliberate con-
viction that we. adhering to this platform,
will carry the State at both the October and
November elections. l am gratitied that
the workirgmen, consolidating themselves
into labor organizations and better under
standing the relations of capital to labor,
have almost universally accepted the doc
| trine OF this platform, and can no longer
be deceived by the specious argument CT
the so-called Free Trader; nor can they
be placed in antagonism to us by the sell
fish appeals or threats Of aggregated capt.
| tai that has grown to unsafe proportions
under the baneful influence Of a too high
protective tariff. My own position Is defi-
nl,ely taken. j adopt the Ohio platform
in letter and spirit. With the party l
stand on 1t squarely and perpendicularly.
| There is broad line OF demarcation, eX-
tending from the equator to the Arctic.
distinctly separating our citizens and in
( terests from the interests OF England.
Succeeding or failing, standing or falling,
/ will succeed or fail, stand or fall, on the
American side Of that line, and there in all