Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1884-10-09
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 0, 1884.
Protection and Prosperity.

The ovation given James G. Blaine
throughout Ohio Is unprecedented in the
history of the country, and his hearty |
reception at every point he appears,
shows that the people are in sympathy
with James G.. Blaine and the principles
and party he represents. The following
brief but forcible speech, showing that
the policy of protection has never been
defeated when an appeal was made d.
rectly to the popular vote, he made at
Hamilton:
CITIZENS OF OHIO:-It Is now forty
years since the question of protective
tariff engaged the attention of the
American people as profoundly as it
does to-day. 1t was in the contest be-
tween Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Polk in 1874 that
the great national debate on the cues
ton took place, and the protective tariff
was defeated, not by the popular vote,
but by the bad faith of The party which
succeeded in the election, and beg to
call your attention. the attention of a
large manufacturing population, to the
fact that the policy of protecting Ameri-
can industry has never been defeated In
the United States by the popular vote.
[Great cheering.] A contrary policy has
been forced on the people at different
times, through the bad faith of their
representatives, but never. repeat, by
the popular vote upon a do iberate APP
peal to the people in their primary Ca
pacity. Renewed 'heering.] 1t there
fore would seem to be the duty Of the
people of The United States If by MAORI
ty they believe in the policy Of protec-
tiOn,tO see to it that the party is sus-
T"GoOd." "GOOd," and cheers. Yes, but
said gentleman to me the other day,
Protection does not always secure
abundant prosperity; there are a great
many idle men now in the country,
Well, grant it; there has rever yet been
a policy devised by the art of man that
will insure through all times and sea-
sons continuous flow Of prosperity.
But the question is whether over given
series of years there has not been a
larger degree of prosperity to the people
under the policy of protection than I'M
der the policy of free trade? The Ques
tiOn is to be gaugsd and tested not by
the experience of single year, but by
the experience of series OF ysars. VIZ
have had protective tariff now for more
than two decades. and ask you whether
there has ever been another period liz
which the United States haze made snci
progress as during the last twenty years
= I''Never," "Nevef," and cheers.] But it i
true now and then there will come lit
tie lull and little reaction even in tn
laws of nature. You had great drOugh
In Ohio this year, but you do not on tina
account avOw you will have no NOR
r rains. [Great cheering.l On the con
: trary you are the more firmly persuade
that rain is the only element that vii
7 restore the fertility TO your soil, verdur
u to your fields, and richness to your crop!
So in this little slough, this little dull
ness in the business of the country, tn
one great element that can be relied o
to restore prosperity is the protectiy
tariff. Renewed cheering. The que'
ton, then is for Ohio to decide. On til
1. fourteenth day of this month you wi
have an opportunity to tell the people {
the Unitsd States whether you believe
that doctrine. If you do you will secul
not only its continuance, but its perm;
nent triumph. [Applause.] But If, Q
the other hand, you should falter al
fall back it might produce disaster els
where. The responsibility is On 20
| Is your courage equal TO yo'
responsibility? [''Yes," "yss."] Is yOv
J confidence equal to your courage? re-
is" lit is" and cheers.] Then ha
nothing more to say except to bid "
q goodbye. Enthusiastic and prolong
q cheering.1