The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-08-07
IN. Y. Independent.1

| ITObectIOH W 1OHl0
The fundamental idea of those
who are known as Protectionists is
this: That the productive and manu-
featuring industries of this country
should, as far as facts show it to be
necessary, be protected against un-
friendly and injurious competition in
our own markets by similar industries
in other countries. This single state
ment covers and embrace: the whole
theory in its underlying and funda-
mental idea The theory has no ap-
plication where there is no necessity
for it; but where the necessity exists
there it applies. Whether the neces-
sity does exist or not is a question of
fact, to be determined by experience.
As matter of fact, it is we'll known
that there are numerous and import
ant industries in this country that
cannot, under the ordinary laws Of
trade, and at the usual rate of Ameri-
can wages, in the market Of this coun-
try, successfully compete with similar
industries in other countries unless
the unfriendly and virtually hostile
influence of these foreign industries.
the protectionists say that they ought
to have this protection, and that, so
far as it is in their power to give it,
the protection shall be given. They
believe in the principle, and also in its
application
The needed protection can be sup
piled only by the legislation of Con-
gress, In the exercise Of its power "to
lay and collect taxes, duties, imports
and excises," and "to regulate COM.
merce with foreign nations,' The
products of foreign countries must be
brought into this country, and here
offered for sale, before they can here
compete with similar products of
American industry. Congress, in its
legislation, has seen fit to impose tar
iff duties upon the introduction of
some of these foreign products and to
establish custom houses for the collec-
ton of these duties. What, then, is
the end to be gained by imposing and
collecting these duties? It is in an
swer to this question that we find one
of the leading points of distinction
between the Democratic party and the
Republican party OF this country, and
also one of the vital issues to be con-
sidered by the people at the next cleo
ton.
The Democratic party, in which
nearly all the free traders Of the coun-
try are embraced, believes in the doc
trine Of tariff for revenue only"
The National Convention of the party
in 1880 affirms this doctrine as the
Democratic creed: and there is moth
ing in the wordy platform Of its re-
cent convention at Chicago which
changes or disavows the creed, al
though there is prodigious effort to
play the dodge game in regard to it.
Here are two articles Of foreign pro-
duction, one Of which is also an arti-
Gle Of American production, while the
other is not. No protection is needed
against the latter, since it is not an
article of American production; but
the former may need protection, since
it is produced in this country as well
as in foreign countries. Now the
Democratic doctrine of "tariff for
revenue only" says that no. distinc-
ton, in levying tariff upon these ar
tic1es, should be made between them.
The sole and only purpose is to get
revenue out Of them. Both are to be
treated alike.
The Republican doctrine, on the
other hand, is that taxation by tariff
duties has two objects. and that both
are to be sought at the same time.
One object is to raise revenue for the
support Of the Government; and the
other object is SO to adjust these du-
ties in raising a revenue that the du-
ties will be protective Of those Ameri-
can industries that need protection
against unfriendlY competition in the
home market by similar industries in
other countries. The Republican
theory is to encourage and foster these
industries by tariff system in respect
to imported articles, one of whose
prime principles is that Of protection
to the industries of this country
against the cheaper labor and cheaper
production of other countries.
We believe most thoroughly in the
theory on the subject, and
just as thoroughly do not believe in
the Democratic theory. No one, who
is acquainted with American history,
can be ignorant of the fact that the
Of the country have pros
pered under the protective system, and
always more or less suffered when the
opposite system has been applied.
The free trade doctrinaires may spout
their notions till doomsday; yet the
facts are against them and the sober
sense Of the American people is
against them. One of the long-stand-
ing objections to the Democratic par
ty is that it is wrong on the tariff
question: and this. whatever may be
5he result as to the election of the
next President, is a sufficient reason
why the party should not be trusted .
with the legislation of the country.
Don't yex the citizens" means