The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-10-02
Bayard and Tucker.


principle and policy of absolute free trade.
He is disciple Of the Democracy of
1856, when in National Convention it
declared the time hldeome for the proc
lamation and enforcement Of the policy
of free trade and free seas all over the
world. In his Brooklyn speech he dis
tinctly announced this principle and as
serted it as his belief that all custom taxes
above the lowest demands of the govern
ment and for revenue only, were simply
the means of building up monopolies. He
repeated the same views in Wilmington,
and reiterated them in Staunton. He
cOnstructiyely regards all manufacturing
interests encouraged and built up through
the protective tariff laws as monopolies,
and in violation of his construction Of
the constitution. He did not essay to ex-
hibit his craftsmanship in looking at such
industries IN their relation to the general
welfare, and the regulation of the com
merce of the States. He seemed to ignore
the effects of diversified products and oc-
equations as the result of the protective
policy, in the employment of labor, Great
ing home market for the farmer, devel-
oping and utilizing material resources, en-
couraging and sustaining trade of all kinds,
and enriching community by keeping at
home, to create new wealth, the results of
diversified labor and employment. He
maintains a theory without considering
results. He is Indifferent to the expert
ence of the past, under protective laws
and the revenue only policy. Both have
been tried in this country, with palpable,
incontrovertible result ts-the one giving
health and vigOr to all channels of trade.
replenishing the treasury. and restoring
to the people. The other par
alyzing business, breeding disastrous pan
les, working widespread financial ruin,
impoverishing the governm ent, impairing
it's credit, weakening our national strength
and prostrating every department of en-
terprise.
These results of the respective policies
are matters of history. They cannot be
denied. They stand out for our guidance
and invoke our consideration and conclu-
sions. 1t is not statesmanship-it is not
familiarity with the arts of government,
that closes the eyes to such prominent, in
lisputable facts.
And Mr.. Tucker belongs to the same
lass of so-called statesmen They do not
or understand the practical
needs of the country-the wants of the
people and the demands of the conditions
which surround us. They are absorbed |
n abstract theories, without grasping the !
practical operation and results of policies
BASED on such imaginary notions. Their
craftsmanship is that of books, of doctri- |
laires, who are too far removed in their |
mental training from the people to COM
,rehend the relations the masses bear to |
he government and the interest they have
Il legislation. They never think of the |
,oor mans wages, the toilers families,
he bread and meat that must sustain the
ives of the humble. Not that they are |
lot humane and as sensitive to the appeals
II the suffering as others, but that they
re lifted to such sublimated refining
bout the letter Of the constitution, that |
hey cannot catch the broad meaning of |
he general welfare clause, the public
lefence'' clause, Ito regulate commerce
With foreign nations clause, which imply |
very power maintained by the protection
SIS, and were inserted in the Constitution
o meet the very emergencies and demands
which those who believe in protective
,olicy contend for One meaning of the
general welfare" clause is to look to the
Employment of labor. the happiness and
of the people. That should be
primary consideration of government,
or the people are the government, and not
he select few of refining theorists The
common defense is expressive of the
ustaining power of the government in
he necessities Of war and non-intercourse
nth other nations, by reason of HOSTILE
les. When Gen. Richard Taylor, a short
me before his death. was asked what
vas the cause Of the failure Of the South
j the conflict tween the States, he re-
led, wed soon eneugk '