The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-01-02

present situation. 1t is found in the
fact that the Democracy have finally
/ had the courage to show their hand
and foreshadow their real purpose.
This simplifes the contest of next
year, and gives us a strong cause
with which to go before the people.
This assault upon the tariff might
really be beneficial, if the majority
in Congress had nationalized instead
of sectionalized the contest. If the
South could be divided upon this
issue it would be great thing, not
only for that section, but for the
whole country"
WHAT CARLIsLE's VOTE MEANS.
Il take it that the practically solid
Southern vote given for Mr. Carlisle
means that the South is more we'd
ded to the reactionary Democracy
than to its manifold interests. No
doubt some of this support was CIV
en- him reluctantly, for it seems that
it required the spur of uira eoce
vote to keep it in line. If there is a
part of our country that is to be ben
efitted by protection it is the new
South, whose future depends upon
the development-of its manufactur-
/ ing interests. If we were little
farther away from slavery and the
effects of the war, we could ex pect
great deal more from that part of the
country. But the South has not yet
forgotten the habits that slavery
bred, and is slow to learn the benefits
/ of free labor, or to find out that pol
itics and sentiment are often denor-
alizing, rather than encouraging.
81 am too old to expact to see that
beautiful region reach the point
where it will recognize the fact that
those who work frame the corner
stone of every substantial prosperity.
The tariff issue ought not to be dscid-
ed within sectional lines. The re-
yiving South should not array itself
against the business interests of the
industrious North. Such an attitude
will be far more hurtful to the coun'
try than sectional divisions upon
purely political questions could pos
sibly be. If it shall be found that
the South is solid against protection
it will create bitterness that will last
much longer and be more far reach
ing in its consequences than any
feeling aroused by a scramble for
party supremacy upon ordinary
questions can possibly be- 1t is we'll
known that many section OF the
South are in favor of protection, and
that most of its growing industries
demand it. If these interests and
convictions are all to he sunk in an
over-weening desire for national
supremacy, and the South made
solid in the attack upon the tariff
for the simple purpose of electing a
Democratic President, then the very
worst form of sectionalism is about
to be made the leading feature of a
Presidential battle.
81 hope there are many liberal and
progressive men down there who are
tired of seeing the Northern half of
the country menaced year after year
by a solid South, the best interest of
which can only be served by nation
alizing their political life and leav-
ing sectioualism to be remembered
only as nightmare that disturbed
it for many years. II there is a
certainty in this life not visible it is
that so long as the South presents a
solid political frort the North will
do likewise. Such sectional divis-
ions are to be deeply regretted"
But, General, Mr. Carlisle was
elected by votes from the North
west ?"
"Very true. Those men who were
accidentally thrown to the surface
in the curious contest of last year
men who have no possible political
future under ordinary conditions,
are naturally willing to hazard every
thing in the hope that tariff agita-
ton may possibly prolong their DO
litical lives. No, the action of few
Northwestern Democrats in support
ing Mr.. Carlisle will not broaden the
issue in the face of the fact that
practically the whole Southern vote
was cast for him, againstits business
interests, and, in many cases, direct
" in the face of a protective constit-
uency at home. This, to my mind,
is the most significant feature of the
contest, and it brings US face to face
with a sectional free trade crusade"
"What will be the result ?"
''In my judgment there can be
but one The Republicans will elect
their President, and | hope that
some of the Southern States will |
break away from their old prejudices |
and contribute TO that result. | am
having faith enough in the patriot
ism of that section, so chastened in
the crucible of war, to believe that |
the time is past when it is to cross
Mason and Dixon's line as solid /
political power, depending for ma
tional success upon picking up few
stragglers here and there in the /
North to give success to a party, re-
dictionary in its tendencies and de- !
to all the better impulses
of the nation, business as well as po-
teal"
WHEN CLAY WAS sPEAKER.-A REMIN- /
IsCENCE OF TARIFF CONFLICTS SINCE
1918.
"You have had wide experience in
contest. upon the tariff question ?"
Eyes, / have witnessed them all
since 1918. if the Southern phase
were out of the pending issues, the
of parties now would
recall the situation when / attained
my majority. Let me see," contin-
ued the man, who is to-day locking
back over such a long lifetime of po-
litical activity, James Monroe was
president then, Just concluding his
first term, and John w. Taylor, of
New York, had succeeded Henry
Clay as speaker of the House, while
be was serving his fourth term. 1t
was an era of political peace. The
new Democratic party, that destroy