Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-07-19
BoRNIN' OF THE CHILD.
Mr.. Elaine Gives His Letter to tbs
World.
AND ACCEPTS THE NOMINATE On.
A voIuminous Document, Full Of Bril-
liant Rhetoric, Gush and Taffy--
But Little Solidiy.
AUGUSTA. ME., July 18th, 1884.

Republican National Convention, / beg to
express deep sense Of the honor which is
conferred and of the duty which is imposed.
venture to accompany the acceptance
with some observations upon the questions
involved in the contest-questions whose
settlement may affect the future Of the
Nation favorably or untavorably TOR a long
series of years.
In enumerating the issues upon which
the Republican party appeals for popular
support, the Convention has been singular
ly explicit and felicitous. 1t has properly
given the leading position to the Industrial
interests Of the country as affected by the
tariff on imports. On that question the
two political parties are radically in con-
fict Almost the first act Of the Republi-
cans when they came into power in 1861,
was the establishment of the principle Of
Protection to American labor and to Amer
lean capital. This principle the RepubH-
can party has ever since steadily maintained,
while on the other hand the Democratic
party has for fifty years persistently warred
upon it. Twice within that period our
political opponents have destroyed tariffs
arranged for Protection, and since the
close of the civil war, whenever they have
controlled the House of Representatives,
hostile legislation has been attempted
never more conspicuously than in their prin-
cipal measure at the late session of Con-
gress.
The Tariff Question.
Revenue laws are in their very nature
subject to frequent revision in order that
they NAV be adapted to changes and modi-
ficatons of trade The Republican party
is not contending for the permancy OF any
particular statute The issue between the
two parties does not have reference TO
specific law. 1t is far broader and far
deeper. 1t involves q principle Of wide ap.
plicaton and benefcent influence, against
a theory which we believe to be unsound in
conception and inevitably hurtful in prac-
tice. In the many tariff revisions which
have been necessary for the past twenty
three wears, or which may hereafter become
necessary, the Republican party has main
tanned and will maintain the policy
of protection to American industry,
while our opponents insist upon a revision,
which practically destroys that policy. The
issue is thus distinct, well defined and un-
avoidable. The pending election may de-
termine the fate Of Protection for genera
ton. The overthrow of the policy means
large and permanent reduction in the
wages of the American laborer, besides IN
volving the loss Of vast amounts Of Ameri-
can capital invested in manufacturing en-
terprises. The value of the present revenue
system to the people of the United States is
not a matter Of theory, and l shall submit
no argument to sustain it. | only invite
attention to certain facts OF official record
which seem to constitute demonstration.
In the Census of 1850 an effort was made,
for the first time in our history, to obtain a
valuation of all the property in the United
States. The attempt was in large degree
unsuccessful. Partly from lack Of time,
partly from prejudice among many who
thought the inquiries forshadowed a new
scheme OF taxation, the returns were incom-
plete and unsatisfactory. Little more was
done than to consolidate the local valuation
used in the State for purposes Of assessment,
and that as everyone knows, differs widely
from complete exhibit Of all the property.
In the Census Of 1860, however, the
work was done with great thoroughness-
the distinction between assessed va ne
and true value being carefully observed.
The grand result was that the true value
of all the property in the State and Terri
tories Excluding slaves) amounted to four
teen thousand millions OF dollars (Sl ,OOO,-
600 O0OO) This aggregate was the net re-
suit of the labor and the savings Of all the
people within the area Of the United States
rom the time the first British colonist
landed in 1907 down 10 the year 1850. Ii
represented the fruit OF the toll of TIVE hun
died and iity years.
After 1850 the business of the country
was encouraged and developed BY Pro-
tectiye Tariff. AT the end Of twenty years
the total property Of the United States, as
returned bv the Census Of 1880 amounted
to the enormous aggregate of torty-tour
thousand millions OF dollars ($ii, 900 OOO,-
OOO) This great result was attained not
withstanding the fact that countless mil
lions had in the interval been wasted in the
progress of bloody war. II thus appears
that while our population between 1860 and
1880 increased so per cent the aggregate
property of the country increased two hun
dred and fourteen per cent-shOwing vast
" enhanced wealth per capita among the
Icople. Thirty thousand millions Of dol
lars $50 900, ,0O0,O00) had been added
during these twenty years to the permanent
wealth of the Nation.
These results are regarded by the older
nations of the world as phenomenal. That
our country should surmount the peril and
the cost of gigantic war and for an entire
period Of twenty wears make an average
gain to its wealth Of one hundred and
TWENTY-FIVE million dollars per month sur
passes the experience of all other nations
ancient or modern. Even the opponents Of
the present Revenue system do not pretend
that in the whole history Of civilization AM
parallel can be found 10 the material pro
gress OF the United States, since the acces-
sion of the Republican party 10 power.
The period between 1880 and today has
not been one of material prosperity only.
At no time in the history Of the United
States has there been sgch progress in the
moral and pkilantbropic field. Religious
and charitable institutions, schools seniin-
aries and colleges have been founded aud
endowed far more generously than at any
previous time IN our history. Greater and
more varied relief has been extended to
human suffering, and the entire progress Of
the country in wealth has been accom-
punied and dignifed By q broadening and
elevation Of our National character as r
people.
Our opponents find fault that our revenue
system produces surplus. But they should
not forget that the Law has given specific
purpose to which all ofthe surplus is profit
ably and honorably applicable reduction
Of the public debt and the consequent relief
OF the burden Of taxation. No dollar has
been wasttd. and the only extravaganza
With which the party stands charged is the
gentrous pensioning of soldiers sailors and
tkeir families--sn extrasaganee which en-
bodies The highest form Of fjustiee in the rec
ignition aud payment Of . sacred debt
Wten reduction Of taxation ID 10 Be made.
the Republican party can be trusted 70 se-
complish Il in such form riii most eaec-
t;vely aid the industries Of The nation.
Our Roreign conncree-
A frequent sccusation by cur opponenis
:. .h.s tta frro,vr cosnrnorrn 0f the cnurfrv