National Republican., 1886-09-15

EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICANS: In my
letter on prohibition, published In you
paper OF the 9th instant, few days before
the election In Maine, said; "The subject
OF prohibition, politically speaking, stands
somewhat In the same position as the sub
ject OF protective tariff, which was lodged
by the Democratic party for a long time by
declaring II local question; so that Mr..
Blaine sees now the necessity Of taking the
bull by the horns and making II a positive
issue on the part Of the Republican party,
thus forcing 1t upon the Democratic party
In so doing MIR. Blaine is doing the country
a service In forcing decision from the
people one way or the other, thereby set
Ting the policy Of the government in this
respect, which, In either event, is better
than an uncertainty. From this very move
Judge that Mr.. Blaine considers the de-
preston of business and labor due to GER
tain uncertainties prevailing In the policy
OF the government affecting our business
enterprises" Since wrote this the people
OF Maine have decided that Mr.. Blaine is
right, Notwithstanding the tremendous
efforts of the opposition. That Mr.. Blaine
in this respect really does represent the
feelings of the mercantile interest learned
from the mouth Of parties personally inter-
ested. was invited to lecture before the
economic or free trade Jeffersonian Club Of
Brooklyn, of which the Hon. Thomas j.
Kinsella, then editor Of the Brooklyn Eagle,
was the president, aud before which the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher and Prof. Sum
ner delivered their lectures upon the sub.
ject of tariff. Mr.. Kinsella himself reported
the proceedings OF that meeting in the
Eagle, and said "Mr. Isaac Cohen lectured
last evening on Money; Its Functions aud
Attributes,' before the Economic Lecture
Association at the National Hall. Mr.. Cohen
spoke for nearly an hour, and was listened
to with deep attention. At the conclusion
Of his remarks Mr.. Cohen was loudly ap.
plauded."
At that meeting there were at least IF.
teen hundred old.time Brooklyn Democrats
and a thousand Republicans, Mugwumps
and Greenbackers present. Right there In
the sanctum OF ree'trade gospel Brooklyn
manufacturer, Democrat, told me that an
"uncertainty" regarding tariff policy was
Just as injurious to his business as no policy
at all. "For," said he, "suppose want to
invest million dollars in the manufacture
Of an article protected at present 80 per
cent, and under a change Of policy the pro
lection Of 30 per cent. is wiped out, would
loose one-half OF my capital without any
which Mr.. Blaine clearly sees and as a
statesman presents to the American people.
That this question involves the labor ques
ton is self.evident, and yet, instead OF
meeting the question in a manly way. and
getting fair expression upon 1t from the
people, all kinds of demagogues can be
found tramping about and declaring that II
is no issue and Mr.. Blaine is lodging. For
tunately the great body Of the people begin
to look around when the shoe begins TO
pinch little too tight, and the result is
bound to be as exempliied In Maine-that
a square issue will carry the day, notwlth-
standing all the artificial opposition. Per
haps no one has better right than myself
to speak for the interest OF the working
men, having sacrificed much In championing
their cause. And, as long as they have de-
termined to fight 1t out In the ranks Of the
existing political parties, say that for the
present protective tariff VS.. free trade Is q
practical issue, in the absence Of any other
they especially champion, and upon the set
Element of which depends good deal OF
their bread and butter. l would say to the
workingmen, since you have politically
nothing else TO do, take one issue at a
time, make II n square issue, decide 1t, aud
when decided and you have elected Il party
upon 1t, see that 1t is carried out.
ISAAC CouEN.