The Republican journal., 1884-04-17
The Democratic Free Trade Policy.

There is one Democratic newspaper that
does not hesitate to ''tell the truth and shame
the Devil" and that is the American Register
of Washington ID. c. The Register having
been assailed by the private secretary of Speak
er Carlisle, who employs his spare time in
sounding his masters praise through the news
papers, and by the Washington Post, the
organ of the Bourbons and free traders, who
are now ''in the saddle" and in full control of
the Democratic party as they were in ante BEL
irm days. speaks right out in meeting as fol-
lows:
1t may he. that in the States where the staple
products are cotton, corn, Nc, which need no
protection, and where there is little no
manufacturing carried on, the ideas of the peo-
pie may be different. But in the manufactur-
ing States the people require this aid and en-
enlargement to their industries and labor. All
the doubtful States in the Presidential election
require this aid. New York, New Jersey.
Connecticut. Indiana. Ohio, Virginia, and Cal
ifornia are doubtful States. And the Demo-
cratic party cannot carry single one of them
on the free-trade idea of tariff for revenue
only. The free-traders appear determined to
defeat the Democracy, in the election next
fan, as they did in 1880.
III dIclutI dlllClt lut INcSlSttl utCiultS lOl
tariff reform, but says that if the Democratic
policy is to be ''to reform out of existence the
Jefferson, Madison and jackson Democratic
tariff for revenue, and substitute the doctrine
of the free-traderS. tariff which repudiates all
mere incidental protection to home productive
industry and labor and aims to bring the coun-
try to it system of dttect duration to support the
Federal Government, then, we say, that that is
not reform. but an mpractcable doctrine the
people Of this country are opposed to, and we
are not for it," And further: "Direct taxa
ton to support the General Government would
break down and destroy any political party in
this country. And the tariff for tecenue only of
the free traders is a gross absurdity, unless as
means of reaching by degrees direct taxation
The editor of the Register was engaged in the
Hancock campaign, and says that Hancock Is
election, was safe and certain until the tariff
issue was raised. when all the doubtful States
We're carried against the Democratic ticket.
He sees nothing but defeat in store for that
party now if their present policy is perseyered
in. Moreover he finds the Morrison bill
Objectionable on the following grounds:
1>t. 1t would not lessen the excess of the
revenue now collected over and above the pub
lie expenses. but probably increase the same.
For the even reduction of 20 per cent ad r0lo-
on all dutlable articles, would probably
bring i'll so large an increased importation as
probably 10 make the excess of revenue greater
than il now Is.
ID The even reduction without discrimina-
ton would not decrease the prices in our mar
ket> in perceptible degree, but would mure to
the profits of the foreign producers and import
ers many millions of dollars.
3d. The even reduction on the duties with
out determinations for the encouragement of
home productive industries and labor, would be
4 practical reputation of Incidental discrmin-
atlOns for aid and protection of home industry
and labor.
The Register closes its article by saying:
As the Democratic party is unfortunately di-
vided on the tariff question, it would have been
better to have let the question alone until the
party came into power, and had the power to
pass Il law.
1t is evident, of course, that the Democratic
party is divided on this question. but it ha 5
been demonstrated that the free trade element
dominates, and that it outnumbers two to one
IN the House of Representatives those who be-
lieve with the Register 1t is evident also that
should the Democratic party come into power
it would carry out the policy which the Regis
ter condemns. and which is also condemned by
majority Of the people of this country. For
this reason, if no other, those who believe in
protection for American industries and Ameri-
can labor should unite for the purpose of de-
teating party that would legislate against our
own people to add ITO the profits of the foreign
producers and importer, many millions of dol
lars"