The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-23
HORATIO SEYMOUR.
A Letter from Him on the Issues
of the Day.
The Glass That Needs n Protective Tariff
No Free Trade in the Cam paign-The
Cattle and Dairy Internationally
of a Change in the Government

lHO iOllO"IuS AOlhOA WHICH, ~
Horatio Seymour has just been issued
by the National Democratic Committee:
regret that can not tase an active part in
the pending political contest am unable TO
DO so on account of M hei tn. feel deep
interest in the result The passions excited
by the events of the pass twenty years have
in good degree subsidized. The great inter
ests of our country should now be considered
in a way which will promote its welfare.
From feeble nationality il has grown within
the lifetime of many OF our citizens 10 great
power. Even if the rate of orr increase shall
be less than heretofore, in about twenty-five
years II Will have population or 10 O010O0.
Many who are now living VIII be active citi-
zens when it has gained this position. We
are on the eve of great events. upon which
the results OF the present canvass VIII have n
bearing. While there is much TO animate US
with regard u the Nation 5 future, we must
bear in mind that its growth and prosperity
VIII also cause many dangers. They Will in
volve US in new relationships with nations.
They will attract attention to our affairs and
may excite unfriendly feelings. The increase
of population and its diffusion over rev and
distant territories add TO the danger of Sc
tiOnal preJud iceS. The future will demand
thoughtful conduct OF pubic affairs to pre-
vent sectional passions, for with tue increase
of population. and of varied interests. they
will be more easily excited.
Unfortunately the canvass has been marked
by personalities which have turned away at
tention from more Important subjects. 1t Is
our duty to learn how we can promote the
interests OF all pursuits, and not devote cur
attention to one at the expense OF others
The speakers and the press of the kepub-
lican party are causing danger 20 our agri-
cultural and other interests by declaring that
il is the duty OF every good goveTnme mt 10
impose sucD taxes on imports Is will exclude
the pro- uctS of other lands. Now, there is but
one OF our pursuits that needs such ptOsgc-
ton. Our farmers, our mechanics with 4
few exceptions, our commerce our carrying
interests ask for no taxes to help them. Our
manufacturers do need aid from the Govern
melt. All parties nave agreed tha, a largc
share OF our revenues ShOui tie raised by
taxes upon Imports The late National Re
publican Convention artfu.ly put forth the
same doctrine, but their press and speakers
C aim that the term - protection means that
taxes may be imposed tor tne sole purpose of
aiding certain pursuits, and they do this in
terms which practically make war upon our
agricultural ami other int, rests. They say II
Is 4 duty of our Government TO renee ont me
importatiOnS of foreign products VIII ca
conflict with our own. II this IS true
then the Governments OF Europe are re-
preached because they DO not ImpuSh
duties upon our agricultural produc :.
light duty upon cur grain. prJVIS-
ions and dairy products would ne Destructive
10 the prosperity OF all paris of our Union
and all industrial pursuits. If duties are put
upon our products in European markets the
disaster Will be charged upon those who claim
TO De the peculiar friends OF the manu- !actur-
efs, anu i; would be easy Tor Europe to retail
iaTe. Ii would need 5ut light duties TO shut
ont products from their ports. We nave
SII1k NJ PROOF OIL TINS IN Inc eject OF our own
taxes upon our carving ira Re. In 1893 the
tolls ulOn 100 pounds of wheat from Buffalo
to New York on our canals We're 10 cents. In
1870 efforts were made to reduce them; these
did II t show their influence until 1876. In
the Ten years prior TO that time the balance
OF trade against our country was SolI, i25,6Ii.
THIS State continued reducing canal taxes
ard 1t length abolished al tolls The reduc-
ton of taxes led all other routes to reduce
charges with the following results: IN 1868 it
cost to carry Il buShel of wheat from Chicago
to New YORK by lake and canal. p cents; ny
lake and railroad - cents; by all rail y cents.
Last year the cost by lake and canal was Il
fraction more than cents; by lake and rail-
road, II cents; by railroad, Ii cents. The eff
feet upon carrying is shown III the reports of
the General Government. While from lSl6 to
1875 the balance of trade against US was m re
than 500, $1,000 when those charges were re-
duced, the balance in our favor in eight years
WAS more than Sl,3 0,UGOO,O.
This shows what the effect would be If
foreign Governments, following the teachings
OF the Republican press and speakers, should
feel it their duty 10 impose charges upon
exports to their countries equal to the reduc-
tons in the cost OF carrying from Chicago 10
New York in 1865. There are evidences that
they mean to put charges on these articles
and the Republican speeches are highly APP
proved by British and continental Journals
France and other European countri have
already prohibited the Importation Of some OF
our provisions. and they contemplate further
action in the same direction. 1t is urged with
truth that il we give prosperity TO our manu-
Gifted, but it is also true, il we harm our farm
ing, carrying and commercial pursuits we
bring great disasters upon our manufactures.
Our agricultural interests are the most inn
poItint of alI. There is no free trade party
IN our country, nor one opposed TO raising
the largest share of our revenue 10y taxes
upon imports. The amount raised III this way
in 1884 was over Si!'5,uUO,OJG. No party OBJ
jectS to this method of raising revenue. 1t
can give no oifenSe nor excite retaliation, as
it does not put taxes upon foreign produc-
a "a M n al 1 in
them.
The discussion between parties has been
how the amount to be raised by taxes on i'm
ports shall be appOrtiOned. There Is Il general
complaint of the burdens of taxation. IL IS
our duty, then. at this election to consider the
interests OF all our industries, and to leg slate
not TO build up one at the cost of the others.
With those engaged in transporting the prod
uctS of our land are Il large class engaged in
labOriOuS pursuits. Any dimnutiOn or our
exports would bring great loss To them. The
falling OF i'll the value OF our railroads and
other facilities has been caused by the fact
that for part of the year the balance of trade
has been against US. This was due in part to
heavy taxation, which has added 10 the cost
of production. 1t is evident that every charge
on our productions affects our exports in the
same way that the cost OF carrying does.
Taxes sIould be reduced for other reaSoES.
They are not only hur; full to our farmers,
mechanics and IabOringmen, but also t.
our manufacturers, for no pursuit can
be prosperous when all others a~e de-
depending on us for food is leading us into
many mistakes. Our great exports during
the past eight years were caused partly by
failure of their crops, and partly by the fact
that we cut down the cost of carrying. This
year we are advised that their hHrvests are
abundant In addition to this fact, we have
evidence that the leading Governments are
taking measures by founding colonies and
other means to get foreign products in eX-
change for their manufacture India now
exports more than 81, 100 UUO bushels of wheat
mt Will ran 6fxr
Germany and other powers now shut out
some of our provisions, and we have reason
to think this policy is to be extended to bread
stutfs. There are great regions in South
America fitted to grain growing and as to
provisions, we know that cattle are killed
there only for their hides. Comm be-
tween that country and Europe can easily
develop the resources of South America.
Europe controls the ocean trade. We can not
maintain our shipping merely ny an export
trade; we must have return cargoes-
The out Ook for our grain ana cattle raisers
is not favorable. Light taxes as tariff won d
drive them from European ports. Our farm
erS in the dairy business are not as prosper
Gus as in years past. IT, therefore. the Brit
ism Government should yield to the demand
OF its landowners that duties on foreign I'M
ports should not be made for rcvcrue, but TO
protect labor and give capital its just re-
ward, the result would be disastrous to our
dairy and agricultural! interests.
The fears express may De unfOunded. but
IL Is our duty TO study the interests of all pur-
suits and ali sections. Governor Cleveland, the
Democratic candidate. is an able, hrm and
thoughtfui man, who has risen TO the position
of Governor of this State 10y. the faithful per-
Torrance OF duties in the Official pos tons he
has held. His untiinching COURAGE IL carry
ing out his trusts and his ungueSticDe1 integ-
ritz give him strong hold upon the conf
dence of the public. The eXcitementS of the
Presidential contest have not drawn him
away fIom his duties At the capital of this
State.
Brass and BlnSter.
Blaine, as long rs the public has been
familiar with his career, has never been
wanting in the possession OF brass and