Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1884-07-29
THE TARIFF.
EXTRACT pmoS srknnIS's WRITINGS.

The tariff Is supposed by many 10 be alb
struse and dlricult, q labyrinth OF facts
and figures TO which none can hnd clue
except the few who can give u long and
patient study. Tbs IL q mlstakei the
principles involved are plain and simple
IL Is thought OF A. q matter OF dollars and
dimes In the national treasury and OF pro-
~ and loss 10 great capitalists or a. asoal-
less thing galvanized into lie now and
then A. the wsr.ery OF political campaign.
IL l. full OF vital interest and comes home
10 the daily life OF the people. Politiosl
economy and social science should h
more studied. Surely what pertains %
closely 10 the peaceful Industries which 90
largely on our time should be A. well ut
derstood A. the qasrrels OF old kings with
their ministers aud mlstrcsscs, or the wars
that have worse than wasted the strength
OF the human race. A family pays special
regard 10 the interests OF lts own members,
while not abusing or expressing others.
A nation Is great family. A family, the
members OF which toll and care for each
other. cannot be expected 10 admit others.
who DO not share these cares, into all iis
privileges and lmmunltles and none can
complain II H. nrst aud nearest aim ls 10
sec that it, own members are well en-
ploycd and ln a way 10 independence. A
nation whose people have cleared ia lands,
ballt IT, shop. aud mills and mechanism
opened IL. beds of ores aud Goals, and are
plylng lts debts aud taxes. cannot be en-
pected 10 admit foreigners, Who have no
share In these tasks or barthens. 10 Ia
markets on equal terms with IL own citi-
lens. A iariG Is the means Of asking them
- pay reasonably Tor the privilege Of
bringing In their products, and al the same
time of building Up home Industries and
giving employment aud Independence 10
the people. There is nothing complicated
In this We are 10 look a, this protective
tArln matter A. it Is praetieed now. aud As
Il nov Affects peoples aud natlous--esPec'
lally our own eoanty-golng back ~ the
past for such facts a. may help To oomprt-
hend the present
The influence Of legislation on the pso'
pie fortauately enters more Into the gov
erumcntal acts OF all civilized nations now
than 10 the past, and especially Is that the
case ln thl. republican country. II our
protective iarln work. Tor the benent OF
favored manufacturers, giving wealthy
capitalist. upiast monopolies and prlvi'
lcgcs Al the cost of their employees and OF
the people. helping 10 enrich the few At
the expense OF the many, Il I. not ~ ~
live another lay. n IL helps TO bald up
great aud varied Industries % employ ia
Dor A. higher wages than elsewhere 10
perfect AMI cheaper the products OF our
mills by q healthy competitions 10 open q
larger AMI better home market for our
farmers 10 develop our grea. natural re-
.oarces % furnish revenue 10 our govern
ment. 10 help our nnanelal and industrial
Independence, and 10 enrich AMI enlarge
the daily thought and life of our people. u
should be sustained All these benefits We
claim result from IL,
The tariff framed 10 ls6t-largely by the
pailen, care OF Hon. Justin 5. Morrill, OF
Vermont, then q Member of Congress-
man OF eminent capacity and Integrity
This tariff modified ln 1870 has done En-
oellenl service, helping Us through war
and worldwide panic. Durlag this time
W. have reached a magnitude Of home
production on the farm, 10 the factory,
AMI IN domestic aud foreign trade, ,increas'
ing beyond like growth ln any other eoun'
Try, OF any prevlou. Increase 10 the same
time AZ home.
A protective tariff dlscrimlnstes In favor
OF the people OF the country where it Il
framed. tariff D." for revenue only, dis
eliminates against them and In favor OF
foreigners. This II does by allowing free
competition Ia the products Of their In
das,ry, aud taxing foreign products which
they cannot produce or compete with.
Teo tariff schedules might be framed for q
country. both aiming 20 raise the same
sun for revenue. yet one might be a benee,
the other fearful injury. The way u ls
placed-,hc hoe l. more important than
the kor much, and tariff Tor revenue
only" Is The danger aud calamity TO be
avoided
Prof Perry, great authority with the
4" Revenue Rcformers," gave his scheme,
a. follows ~ would throw OF q, q stroke
ninety per cent. Of al the articles taxed
In our. present tariff" lie may be q good
Greek scholar. bat he would be a danger
ous Reformer," could he successfully
carry Into effect his scheme
To impose high duties on such articles
as We 40 not produce aud cannot manufae'
,ure. and low duties, lfany, on iron, wool
eos. cotton, etc. i the scheme Of free
trade revenue reformers IL iss scheme
In British Interests. aud Is nne device 10
take the tax from the products OF British
manufacturers, imported into this country
and levy Il on the comforts and neeessa-
rles OF the American farmers and laboring
men. II II q Discrimination IN favor Of
foreign manufacturers and pauper wages,
aud against our own manufacturers, farm
er., and better paid workmen. The tari'
should be framed with NJ du,les for pro-
tec,lon aud revenue on such articles ss We
can make or produce, and admit foreign
rroducts-tea. coffee. etc.-which We can
not produce free Of duty then We will
ge, ample revenue, and permanen, pros
perity.
OLD DOCUMENT.