The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-07-24
BLAINE'S LETTER
FORMAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE Re
PUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR
THE PRESIDENCY.
He Gives His Views on the
Great Question of the
Tariff.
Appeals to History and Ra<es
Sp a Lot of Musty.
Statistics.
Delivers a Lecture to the South
and breaches the Usual
Free Ballot Sermon.

dency, rendered me by the republican
convention, L beg to express dee
sense of the honor which is conferred
and Of the duty which is imposed.
venture to accompany the accept
ance with some observations upol
questions involved in the contest
whose settlement may effect the flu
:. ture of the nation favorably, or I'm
favorably, for long service of years
In enumerating the issues upoI
which the republican party appeal:
for popular support, the convention
has been singularly explicit and felic
1tous. 1t has properly given the lead
ing position to the
INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS
of the country, as effected by the tariff
or imports. On this question the two
parties are radically in conflict. AL
most the first act of the republicans
when they came in power, in 1861, was
the establishment of the principle of
protection to American labor, and to
American capital. This principle the
republican party has ever since stead
lily maintained; while on the other
hand the democratic party in congress
has for fifty years persistently warred
> upon it. Twice within that period
our opponents have
DESTROYED THE TARIFFS.
arranged for protection, and since
the close of the civil war, whenever
they have controlled the house of rep
reSentatives, hostile legislation has
been attempted-never more conspic-
uouSly than in their principal measure
in the last session of congress. The
tariff question and revenue laws are
in their very nature, subject to fire.
quent revision, in order that they may
be adapted to changes and modifica-
ton of trade. The republican party
is not contending for the permanancy
of any particular statute. The issue
between the two parties does not have
reference to specific law. 1t is far
broader and far deeper. 1t involves
the principle of wide application
and beneficial influence against the
DRY which, we believe to be unfound-
ed conception, inevitably hurtful.
In the many tariff revisions
which have been necessary for
the past twenty-five years,
on which may hereafter become,
the republican party has maintain |
ed and will maintain the policy of |
protection of American industry, |
while our opponents insist upon re-
vision which practically destroys that
policy. The issue is thus distinct |
and well defined and unavoidable. |
The pending election may determine |
the fate of protection for a genera
ton. The overthrow of the policy |
would be a large reduction in the |
wages of the American laborer; be-
sides involving the loss of vast |
amounts of American capital invested
in manufacturing enterprises. The
value of the
PRESENT REVENUE SYSTEM
to the people of the United States
is not matter of theory, and / shall
submit no argument to sustain it. l
only invite attention to certain facts
of official record, which seems to con-
stitute demonstration. In the CEN
sus of 1850, an effort was made for the
first time in our history, to obtain
valuation of all property in the Uni
ted btates. The attempt was, in
large degree, unsuccessful, partly
from lack of time, partly from preju-
dice among the many who thought |
the inquiries foreshadowed new |
scheme of taxation. The returns |
were incomplete and unsatisfactory.
Little more was done than to CONSOLE |
date the local valuation used in the |
states for the purposes of assessment,
and that, as every one knows, differs
rudely from the complete exhibit of
the census OF 1860. However, the
work was done with great thorough
ness; the distinction between "assess-
ed" value and "true" value being care
fully observed. The grand result was
that the true value of all the property
in the United States and territories
0excluding slaves amounted
TO $l4,OOO,OO0,OO0. This aggregate
was the grand result of the labor and
savings of all the people within the
area of the United States, from the
time the first British colonist landed
in 1907, down to the year 1850. 1t
represented the fruit of the toll of 2OO
years.
After 1860 the business of the coun-
try was en- eouraged and developed by
a protective tariff. AT the end of TWEEN
ty years, the total property OF the I'M.
ted States as returned by the census OF
1880 amounted to the enormous aggre-
gate of $44,O 00,000,000. This great re-
suit was attained Notwithstanding the
fact that countless millions had to be,
for an interval wasted, during the
progress of bloody war. 1t thus ap-
pears that, while our population, be-
tween 1860 and 1880 increased 20 per
cent, the aggregate property OF the
country increased PA per cent, show
ing a vastly enhanced wealth, per
capita, among the people; $50, 600 Co.,
900 had been added during these 70
years to the permanent wealth; the
entire period of twenty years, make
an average gain toourwealth of $685.
600 900 per month, sur passing the expe-
rience of all other nations, ancient or
modern. Even the opponents or the
present revenue system do not pre-
tend that, in the whole history of civ
ilization, any parallel can be found
to the material progress of the Uuit-
ed States since the
ACCESSION OF THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY
to power.
The period between 1866 and to-day
has been one of material prosperity. At
no time in the history of the United
States has there been such progress in
the moral and philanthropic field. Re-
liQious and charitable institutions,
schools, seminarieS and colleges have
been founded and endowed, more gen.
erously than at any previous time in
our history. Greater and more varied
relief has been extended to human
suffering, and the entire progress of
the country in wealth, has been &C
companied and dignihed by a
broadening elevation of our national
character as people.
OUR OPPONENTS
Find fault that our revenue system
has produced a surplus, but they
should not forget that the law has
given a specific purpose to which all
of the surplus is prohtabiy and honor
ably supplied-the reduction of the
public debt and the consequent relief
of the burden of taxation. No dollar
has been wastei, and the only extrav-
agance with which the party stands
charged. is tho generous pensioning
of soldiers, sailors, and their
families-which is an extrava-
Rance that embodies the highest
form of justice in the recognition of q
sacred debt. When reduction of
taxation is to be made. the republican
party can be trusted to accomplish it
In such form as will mostly aid the
Industries of the nation.
OUR FOREIGN COMMERCE.
A frequent accusation by our oppo-
nents Is that the foreign commerce Of
the country has steadily decreased un'
der the influence of protective tariff
.-I-.1 A.. A