The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-17
COAST DBPEEsEs.

The Democratic party is so intent on reduc-
ing the tariff that it takes no account Of the
pressing needs of the Nation, and the oppor-
tunity now offered to supply them without
harm to the people or industries of the coun-
try. By the end of the next fiscal year all
the re9eemable bonds will have been called
in and cancelled, so that there must be an i'm
mense surplus following unless some DISPOSE
ton be made of the vast funds flowing into
the national treasury. The free-trade wing
of the Democratic party, and it is almost pow
erful enough to fly away with the body of
that organization, sees only the necessity of
reducing this surplus, and seizes upon the op-
portunity to make ita best arguments in fa-
vor of doing away with the tariff SO far as
possible. 1t takes no account of the pressing
needs Of the Republic in the way of increased
and strengthened navy and coast defenses,
matters urged upon the present administration
by mo less distinguished Democrat than Sam
uel j. Tilden. These are questions of national
pride and of national safety. In the recent
differences between this country and foreign
powers it was made painfully apparent that
we were not in position to enforce our de-
mands or to maintain our rights, if it came
to an issue Of arms, for the reason that we
could not defend any of our richest seaboard
cities from destruction by hostile fleet in
event it was sent against them. New York,
Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia even, Charles
ton, Savannah, Mobile, New Orleans, Gal
weston and San Francisco would all
be at the mercy of the foe, and
might all be battered to the earth
within q fortnight after >hostilities had been
declared, while the United States would be
powerless to make defense or reprisas. This
is question even more pressing than that of
what to do with the surplus that will pour
into the national treasury next year. To
erect these fortresses and to construct men-of-
war of modern pattern is an imperative duty
resting upon the people of this country. This
WoU4u Sl'0 iucAiO W luoVSoHNS VI
laborers III various parts of the country, would
relieve the pressure upon the treasury, and
would still afford that protection to American
industries that cannot be- suddenly removed
or seriously disturbed without inviting wide
spread disaster and commercial ruin. There
is not an American proud of his country but
who feels in his heart that this very important
thing should be attended to at once. That it
could be done without harm to the tax payers
| and with every advantage to labor is so APP
| parent as to need no argument. Now is the
time to do it without letting the burden of
expense be felt by anyone. The public debt
would not be increased by dollar, nor need
anyone feel a heavier burden upon him, while
there would be healthful impetus given to
every branch of industry. By the time other
bonds became due the work would be about
completed, and then the surplus could be APP
piled to taking them up, without the neces-
sity of again increasing the volume of taxa
ton for that purpose This is the patriotic,
common sense view of the situation, and one
that must commend itself to all save those
who are determined to see it in some other
lipht