New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-26
PROTECTION or CITIZENS.

I American citizenship will be the master
thought of the campaign OF 1881. Protection
of American citizens at home and abroad; pro-
lection of the rights of every citizen, North or
South: protection of the labor of every citizen
from such foreign competition as may degrade
him 5r deprive him of full freedom protection
of the rights of every citizen, wherever he may
be. and of the rightfu interests of American
citizens in foreign trade and commerce: these
are the aims of the great party which supports
James G. Blaine and John \. Logan.
1t is a broad and grand programme. Unlike
the plans in many other campaigns, il is simple,
harmonious, compact. All efforts converge
upon one idea. Into one word, Protection for
Americans. its whole meaning can be con-
denscd. The protection OF industry is espe-
caly dear to some the protection OF civil and
political rights to others, and others still feel
most kecnly the need Of protection for Aneri
can citizens and American interests abroad.
But all these objects OGght to be dear to all.
They are but different phases Of the same great
object, full and complete protection Of AmeIi-
can citizens everywhere and i'll all their rights
and interests.
This grand aim cares nothing Cor color, or
birthplace, or present occupation or abode.
The American citizen, black or white has the
same right to freedom and safety in voting, in
Copiah or in Danville, as in Newly DIRK or Ohio.
The American citizen, native or naturalizcd
has the same right to protection abroad,
whether in Germany or Ireland, Cuba or
Mexico. The American citizen, black or white,
native or naturalized employer or employed,
has the same right to the defence OF his indus
try, whether it be in New-England or In
Louisiana, in Pennsylvania or the NlrgInlaS. II
il is assaulted by excessive inpOrtatlons which
threaten to cut down his wages so far that Labor
becomes dependent upon capital, and can no
longer take the time to understand the duties
OF citizenship, nor educate children to the re-
sponSibiiities of free government, labor shall be
protected. If it il assaulted by importations of
labor under contracts made abroad, so that the
imported labor is not really free, and its com
petition tends to thrust down all labor to the
foreign level in condition, it shall be protected.
In every way, and everywhere, and III every
interest that American citizenship can need the
protection of the Republic, the pledge OF the
Republican party is to protect it. And the
world knows that what the Republican party
promises it also does.
No grander issue has been raised in any
political campaign. No issue more honorable
to the party can be raised. Nor has there ever
been an issue, in any political campaign, which
appealed 80 clearly and strongly to all Ameri-
can citizens. Anti-slavery it was natural that
shareholders should oppose. Suppression of re-
bellon was naturally resisted by seceders.
Protection of civil and political rights, standing
alone, did not seem of equal interest to all citi
zens, nor protection of American labor. But
the issue now joined appeals to every citizen
who cares for the dignity, the prosperity OF the
freedom of the country.