Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-04-12
TARIFF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
DEMOCRATS.

Democrat who wants protection for
protectors sake is not apt to ma
terialize. These two opinions do
not differ greatly as to their present
purpose, but are distinguishable by
the ends at which they aim. The
immediate object that they both
propose Is substantially the same,
but there is a divergence of princi-
Piles in their ultimate design. One
of these opinions is the OHIO idea
and the other may be called the
Carlisle PRONUNCIATION. Both of
them will insist that the tariff be
reduced to revenue basis, but
while the former favors an adjust
ment of duties so as to encourage
industries at home, the latter propo-
ses to reach by easy stages ''a tariff
for revenue only" In other words,
one proposes to discriminate against
foreign importations in favor of the
American productions, while the
other totally rejects all idea of pro-
lection, but acknowledges that an
immediate departure from the pro-
tective principle would be dIsas-
trous.
Both of these opinions, we have
said, are conservative. Neither of
them advocates extreme measures
and such a reduction of the tariff as
either proposes, for the present,
would probably be agreeable to
both. That the Carlisle plan has
the most adherents in the present
House of Representatives is un-
doubtedly true, but we believe the
Ohio idea will prevail In the Chica-
go convention. We draw this con-
clusion from the fact that there has
been a reaction on the tariff ques-
ton in the South and West, partic.
ularly in the former section, since
the present House of Representa-
tives was elected. 1t has not been
so much of a reaction, as the result
of agitation which has brought
about better understanding of the
question. Many of the present
Democratic Congressman from the
South were elected with the idea
that their constituents @Vere a unit
for free trade, whereas the real state
of the case was that the large ma
jOrity of their constituents hadn't
thought about the tariff question
since the war. They voted for the
Democratic candidate without any
regard for his tariff views. The ag-
itation of the question in Congress
has produced an awakening on
the subject and the rapid develop
ment of Southern industries of late
years has not been favorable to the
spread of free trade ideas. 1t would
hardly be reasonable to suppose that
any section would array itself solid
ly on one side or the other of a
question so clearly debatable as the
tariff 1t is one of the oldest ques-
tions in politics and wherever and
whenever agitated, both sides have
been warmly espOused. There is
no locality in which arguments in
favor of both free trade and protec-
ton could not be brought to bear
on private interests.
For these reasons we believe that
the adherants of the Ohio idea in
the National Convention, will be
surprisingly large; but though both
sides will be warmly espoused we
hope the discussion will occasion no
split in the party. The CHRONICLE
stands on the Ohio platform and
honestly believes it to be the cor
rect position. We believe there
can be wise and equitable adjust
ment of a revenue tariff that will
protect numerous industries, (agri-
cultural as well as manufacturing
and mining) against foreign en-
croachments, and work no detri-
ment to the interest of the tax pay
er. 1t Is very desirable for all class
es that industries should be encour-
aged considerable revenue must
be raised by means OF tariff; then
why not adjust the tariff so as to
give the needed protection to those
industries? We don't want a pro-
hibitory tariff that will shut out
foreign competition, but one that
will place home products on COM
peting basis with those that come
from abroad.
The revenue only idea that admits
the impracticability of free trade,
but insist on utterly discarding the
idea of any kind of protection, could
not in good faith permit such a
thing as a free list. Duties would
be levied alike on all imported ar
ticles according to their value. III
the only object was revenue that
object would not be carried out If
any kind of discrimination was al
lowed. Coffee would have to be
taxed as we'll as iron, and tea and
sugar would be treated alike. Ills
very doubtful that such tariff
would, on the whole, afford any
relief to the taxpayer, but it is GER
tain that it would risk the interest
Of many industries now protected.
We think the Ohio idea is decided
Nv preferable and we hope it will
nreyail at Chicago.
There fs really not enough differ
ence i'm the two opinions to bring
about A party split and the decision
oT the National convention will be
accepted by all true Democrats as a
finality. -
Wrare Indebted to Hon. A. J.
.,,ldwelI for printed copy OF the
~sep Nil with table OF