Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-07-22
Free Trade and Protection.

Resolred, That the distractions OF the free
trade theorists are not adapted TO the industrial
wants OF this country. and that the protection
OF American labor is the true political econo-
my OF the American people as long as they are
obliged to compete with the manufacturers and
ill-paid labor OF the old world. We call the es-
peeial attention OF all working men TO the fact
that wages in the United States under a pro-
tectiye tariff are from Is TO 30 per cent higher
than under the revenue tariff in force before
the hepubiicans came into power in ls6I-wa-
gcs at both periods being counted on the gold
basis in money. or reckonej in comparison
with the commodities necessary for living.
The above, which is the second reso-
luton in the excellent platform adopted
by our recent Republican state couven-
ton, is a succinct and forcible state
ment of very important truth. This
country has already greatly suffered
from the distractions of the free trade
theorist, or from the policy of "a tariff
for revenue only" which is the offspring
and viccgerent of free trade. Capital and
labor in this country are indissolubly
connected; their interests are identical !;
The capitalist and the laborer believe
in protective tariff. because the, have
learned from experience and observa-
ton that in a country like this they can
not do business without it,
Men complain that times are hard,
and express their disappointment that
with the advent of a Democratic adj
ministraiiou times did not change fer
the better. Ave. there's the rub.
Capitalists said, These Democrats who
have Just come into power are not TO
be depended upon. They talk about
free trade and "a tariff for revenue
only. They are now the dominant rar-
", and no one can tell when and where
their free trade lightning may strike
We have capital which we would like TO
invest in business and thus give good
wages Al d employment 10 laboring men.
but we do not engage in business Just
for fun. or 20 lose money. but to gain
fair and honest dividend tor the capital
we invest aud lust remuneration for the
tim and talent We devote to business.
so long as we are mcnaccd hv the
Democratic iqais- t-ai,t'ts of free trade,
safety demands that We shall keep oar
capital ont Of business. for free trade
'ugd ohlige Us Ia compete with ',he
manufacturers aud ill-pald labor OF the
old world. and this Ne know we can
never successfully do without ruin to
ourselves and starvation wages to our
employees -
4 protective tariff has been weighed
in the balance and nat found wanting.
but. on the contrary. It may hc regard
ed a the tried and true policy of TIL
Nation. H. friends are the friends of
the manufacturer. the friends Of the Ia
borcr. the friends II the Nation itself
\ vote for the Democratic par,y and
Democratic principles j. a vote for rHis-
tinued" ahSiractiot>. Cor WORSE. al>tr:lr
ton, reduced 10 ycritahlc iacr with
all the attendant evils 81 hard Times.
Ou the other hand vote fpr IA, Re
Publican party and Repuhlicau priucI-
ple- j. . vote for protective ;ariif
which through all our existence a.
Nation has given lie and >uygor, {" u,r
varied industries which have made
America great and prosperous. and h,r
laborlng men the most Successful AMI
best paid the world has ever knowu