The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-10-29
PHILOSOPHY OF TARIFF.
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE
AMERICAN SYSTEM.
Ex-chief Justice Daniel Agnew
Shows How the Fundamental
Principle and Ruling Element
Of Democracy are oppos-
cd to Protection.

SO0vv0 rSOW SBt0 b0tsoosssSsss1'
Principle and Ruling Element
Of Democracy are oppos-
cd to Protection.
The positson of the Democratic
party on the question of protection
to American industry is equivocal
claimed in Pennsylvania to be for
it. in other sections against 1t. Their
platform is vague and their eandi-
date silent. But there is a sure
way of determining their true atti-
tude. If I'VE find the fundamental
principle on which the party has
been built, the ruling element of Its
exposition and its results, the con-
clusion from these elements must
be inevitably true. Let Us take a
short retrospect.
THE FIRST TARIFF.
The war of 1912 cut off supplies
from England, and at its close left
us without manufactures, agricultur.
al prosperity or commerce. lnsol-
vency of business men and interests
prevailed. The statesmen of that
day saw the necessity of a home
policy as essential to prosperity.
The American system arose, advo-
Gated by such men as Clay and our
OWL Baldwin. Its chief features
are tariff of duties to protect our
infant manufacturers against foreign
competition an internal improve
ment system bringing the remote
parts of the union into nearer con-
nection, promoting interchanges OF
products and lessening the charges
of transportation, a National curren-
cy, good everywhere, and essential
to general prosperity; and an equi-
table division of the public domain
for the benefit of all. Mr.. Clay was
SO identified with this system, it
bore his name. As a consequence OF
this condition, the tariff system, be-
ginning in 1916, made rapid pro-
gress, eliminating in the highly
protective tariff of 1928, under the
administration of John Quincy Ad-
ans, Mr.. Clay being his Secretary of
State.
SLAVERY VS.. TARIFF.
But now came a change of policy
wrought by the influence of that pc.
culiar institution ofth South, which
solves all the future movements of
the Democratic party, and which
arose during the first term of gener
al jackson. African slavery is the
key which unlocks the tariff ques-
ton and exhibits the fundamental
principle and ruling element ofthat
party. Slavery was essential to the
production of cotton, the leading ex-
port of the South. Tobacco and
rice. the products of slave labor, add
ed though in a minor degree, to the
list of Southern exports. Mr.. Cal
houn had been an advocate of pro-
tection. but with other Statesmen of
the South began to see the changed
interest of his section. 1t became
their policy to sell the staple pro-
ducts of Southern agriculture in the
highest foreign market, and draw
thence in return, at the lowest pri=
ces. the manufactures which were
needed for Southern use. Low du-
ties and small charges became their
demand.
SLAVERY AND POLITICS.
Ii was under the influence of this
changed condition the importance
of slavery became a supreme factor
in Southern politics. This was
manifested at once upon the change
of administration from Adams to
Jackson's, and was strengthened by
the intense bitterness of Jackson to-
wards Mr.. Clay caused by the al
legged bargain and sale between Ad-
ans and Clay, by which Jackson
failed to reach the Presidency in
1S24-5. Beginning with the veto of
the Maysville road bill in 1890 by
General Jackson. the whole series of
measures called the American sys-
tenn was overturned. This included
the protective system, which the
South opposed, even to notification
of the tariff law in South Carolina
a reasonable act which the patriot
isRof Jackson would not tolerate,
and which he suppressed by his
proclamation-and the Force bill.
Though at first favorable to protec-
ton, influenced by the strong feel
ing of the South and his opposition
to Clay. Jackson finally cast the
weight of his administration against
the system; a position he sustained
by an elaborate statement in his
fourth annual message in Decembe
1882, and by his subsequent endorse
ment of the Compromise act of 1888,
in his annual message in December,
1888.
THE FIRST TARIFF TINKERs.
The first reduction of the tariff OF
1923 was accomplished by the act OF
1882 But slavery was not content
with this reduction and the agita-
ton became SO great in the South,
Mr.. Clay. alarmed at the turbulent
spirit and fearing insurrection
came into the Senate with his Com
promise bill of 1888 reducing the
duties of the act of 1882 by sliding
scale, until in 1S4l they fell to a
general duty of only 20 per cent.
The result was perfectly natural as
well as disastrous. Before lS41 ar
rived the suspension of 1887 had
occurred, American manufacturers
were trodden down. and season OF
general bankruptcy ensued, calling
into being the bankrupt law of 1S41.
The state of the country brought
on change of administration by
the election of General Harrison.
and the Wings came into power in
1S4l. This was followed by the
passage of the tariff act of 1912. and
the country rose from its depression
prosperity revived, and the Nation
was on the highway to wealth and
happiness. But the Democrats raj
lying in force in 1874, a change oI
administration took place again by
the defeat of Mr.. Clay. Again the