The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-07-25
BLAINE,s ACCEPTANCE.

The letter of acceptance of James
g. Blaine makes five columns OF closely
printed reading matter. Our space
will not permit its reproduction in full,
and we therefore give its most impor-
tant portions.
On the Tariff question he says
Revenue laws are In their very nature subject To
frequent revision in order that they may be adapt
ed TO changes and notifications OF trade The Re
publican party Is not contending for the perma-
nency OF any particular statute. The issue between
the two parties does not have reference TO a spe-
cnc law. 1t is far broader and far deeper. 1t In
wolves principle Of wide application and bcnefi-
cent influence, against theory which we believe
TO be unsound In conception and inevitably hurt
ful In practice In the many tariff revisions which
have been necessary for the past twenty-three
years, or which may hereafter become necessary,
the Republican party has maintained and will
maintain the policy OF Protection to American In
dustry, while our opponents insist upon revis-
ion, which practically destroys that policy. The
issue is thus distinct, well-de1ned and unavolda-
BILE. The pending election may determine the fate
OF Protection for generation. The overthrow Of
the policy means large and permanent reduction
In the wages OF the American laborer, besides In
volvlng the loss OF vast amounts OF American cap.
| ital invested In manufacturing enterprises The
value OF the present revenue system to the people
Of the United states is not a matter of theory,
| and | shall submit no argument to sustain IL.
only invite attention to certain facts Of officia
| record which seem TO constitute demonstration.
In the Census OF 1880 an EFFORT was made, for the
first time in our history, to obtain valuation OF
| all the property In the United States The at
| tpmnt WAS in larup deurppa uua,tcceaaful PARTLY
| from lack Of time, partly from prejudice among
| many who thought the inquiries foreshadowed q
new scheme OF taxation, the returns were In.
| complete and unsatisfactory. Little more was
done than to consolidate the local valuation used
In the States for purposes OF assessment and that
as everyone knows, differs widely from acomplcte
exhibit OF all the property.
In the Census OF 1860, however, the work was
done with great thoroughness-the distinction be-
| tween 'assessed'' value and "true value being
| carefully observed. The grand result was that
the "true value" OF all the property In the states
| and Territories excluding slaves amounted to
fourteen thousand millions Of dollars 1400O, ,0O0,-
0O0) This aggregate was the net result OF the la
Dor and the savings OF all fhe people within the
area Of the United states from the time the first
British colonist landed In 1907 down to the yeaI
1850. 1t represented the fruit OF the toll Of two
hundred aud fifty years.
After 1860 the business OF the country was en-.
couraged and developed by Protective Tariff. AT
the end OF twenty years the total property OF the
United States as returned by the Census of 1880
amounted to the enormous aggregate of rorty-fouI
thousand millions Of dollars GA 900, 600 0O0. This
great result was attained notwithstanding the
| fact that countless millions had In the inter
val been wasted in the progress of bloody war
| II hat M nm no
tween 1850 and 1880 increased sixty per cent the
| aggregate property OF the country increased two
hundred aund fourteen per cent-showing vastly
| enhanced wealth per capita among the people
Thirty thousand millions of dollars $4,000 900
had been added during these twenty years TO the
permanent wealth Of the Nation.
| These results are regarded by the older Nations
OF the world as phenomenal. That our countr,
should surmount the peril and the cost OF gigan
| tic war and for an entire period Of twenty year
| making an average gain to its wealth Of one hun
| dred and twenty-five million dollars per m0ntl
surpasses the experience Of all other Nations, an
| cient or modern. Even the opponents Of the pres
ent Revenue system do not pretend that In th'
whole history OF civilization any parallel can b'
| found to the material progress Of the United
States, since the accession OF the Republican part,
| to power.
The period between 1860 and to-day has not beer
one OF material prosperity only. AT no time II
| the history OF the United States has there beeI
such progress in the moral and philanthropic field
| Religious and charitable institutions, schools
seminaries and colleges, have been founded ant
endowed far more generously than at any previous
| time in our history. Greater and more varied
relief has been extended to human suffering ant
the entire progress Of the country in wealth has
been accompanied and digniied by a broadening
and elevation OF our National character as peo
| pie.
| our opponents find fault that our Revenue sys
| tenn produces surplus. But they should not for
get that the law has given specific purpose to
| which all of the surplus is profitably and honor
| ably applled-the reduction OF the Public Debt
| and the consequent relief OF the burden o.
| taxation No dollar has been wasted, and tht
| only extravagances with which the party stands
| charged is the generous pensioning of soldiers
sailors and their families-an extravaganza which
embodies the highest form Of justice in the recog
| milton and payment Of sacred debt. When re
duction Of taxation is to be made, the Republican
Party can be trusted to accomplish 1t in such form
as will most effectively aid the industries Of tht
Nation.
AGRICULTURB AND THE TARIFF.
The Agricultural interest is by far the largest In
the Nation, and is entitled In every adjustment o
Revenue Laws to the first consideration. Any pol
Icy hostile to the fullest development of Agricu
ture in the United States must be abandoned
Realizing this fact the opponents of the present
system of Revenue have labored very earnestly tc
| persuade the farmers OF the United States that
| they are robbed by protective tarif, and the ef
fort Is thus made to consolidate their vast inhu
In fayo nf fraa trada nnt han ha RI
ers Of America are intelligent and cannot be mis-
led by sophistry when conclusive facts are before
them. They see plainly that, during the past
| twenty-four years, wealth has not been acquired
In one section or by one interest at the expense Of
| another section Or another interest. They SET
that the agricultural States have made even more
| rapid progress than the manufacturing states.
The farmers see that In 1860 Massachusetts, ant
Illinois had about the same wealth-betweeT
eight and nine hundred million each-and that ir
| 1880 Massachusetts had advanced to twenty-si1
hundred millions, while Illinois had advanced Il
| thirty-two hundred millions They see that New
Jersey and Iowa were Just equal In population II
1850 aud that In twepty years the wealth of New
Jersey was increased by the sum OF eight hundred
and nifty millions OF dollars, while the wealth Of
Iowa was increased by the sum Of fifteen hundred
millions. They see that the nine leading agricul
.tura States OF the West have grown so rapidly II
prosperity that the aggregate addition TO theii
wealth since 1860 is almost great as the wealth
| OF the entire country In that year. They see tina,
| the South, which is almost exclusively agricultu
raj, has shared In the general prosperity and that
having recovered from the loss and devastation Of
war, has gained so rapidly that Its total wealth Il
at least the double OF that which 1t possessed II
| 1860, exclusive of slaves.
| In these extraordinary deyeloDments the farm