The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-21
EX-SECRETARY BLAINE
DELIVERS HIS GREAT SPEECH
AT PITTSBURG,
Nest Of Which He Devoted to the
Discussion Of the Tariff, by Which
the Poor Are Robbed.

IftbbUhu, A., OSlODeI ZU.-IHo
tariff demonstration tgday in favor OF
James G. Blaine wss not as large as
was anticipated, hut the city was
filled with strangers, who had been
attracted by the announcement that
both Blaine and Beaver would speak.
An open air meeting was held at Ex-
position Park, Alleg eny, this after
noon, and il is estimated that from
5000 to 5000 persons were present.
Upward of 5000 persons participated
in the parade. The msnutact-
ursrs, who usually make a
feature in such demonstrations, cay
that they did not have time to
prepare for it. When Mr.. Blaine was
introduced the crowd had increased to
over 10000. Mr.. Blaine said: Mr..
Chairmau--A crisis 10 the tariff sys-
tenn of the United States is rapidly
approaching. For long series of
years, ever since the close OF the war,
we have had a vast debt to be paid.
However large tho national revenue,
its surplus could always be prc6tably
applied to the liquidation OF our ma
tional Obligations. We have disc narged
that debt 30 rapidly that there re-
mains now but little more than $780,
000, 600 OF it. That can be paid within
this century, and all of that falls
due within four years from this
date. It's maturing thus rapidly
approaching may be said to be even
now impending, 80 that the matter is
one that must be taken into consider
alton at once, because the remaining
500, 100000 or $500, 900, 600 20 over to
the twentieth century. When Secre-
tary Sherman, the most accomplished
and able Secretary of the Treasury
since Alexander Hamilton [cheersl, |,
performed the marvellous feat of fund
ing large proportion of the public
debt ia the United States per cents,
his success was acknowledged on both
sides of the Atlantic as unparalleled
in financial administl atom. But under
the wise administration of the Federal
Government by the Republican party
the credit Of the nation has increased
8, rapidly that the United States
bonds, which were at par but seven
years ago, now command nearly 81 80,
and the holdsis will not relinquish
them TO the Treasury at less than that
rate. 1t may, therefore, be as-
sumed as certainty that their
pay yment is postponed until the next
century, and they fall outside of the
present exigency as they fall outside
the present power of the legislature
of this nation. Applause. When,
therefore, you shall have diminished
the total volume OF the obligations OF
he country to the amount of the
$500, 100000 now almost due, what
are you going to do with the
surplus which flows annually
into your Treasuryp What dispo-
sition are you going to make
of the large amount which each year
you have been accustomed to apply to
the payment of the national debt2
The free trader replies, "Get rid of
your surplus by striking down this
protective tariff; lower the duty on
many articles, put large number OF
other articles on the free list and re-
dnce your revenues in that way" The
protectionist answers: "Lst US SO re-
duce our revenue that, with wise d g.
elimination, the American laborer in
his daily earnings may be protected by
the national law. Keep that in view
as a prime object. This is the ques-
on that impends for your decision,
and after patient consideration of the
probable consequences to result from
that decision / venture the assertion
that there bas not been since the ma
tional election OF 1860 financial crisis
80 urgent and pressing as the one
which will be upon the American
people within the next two years.
The msin question, therefore, is
whether you will exclude from the
ta,iff the protective idea, or whether
you will reduce the rates
upon articles from the duties on
which you gain no protection,
aud thus so wiee!y discriminate
that, with a new tariff adapted to
$l00, 1000 000sle:s revenue, you will still
gain all the protection needed. l say
to you, gentlemen, that at only two
peri DDS OF our history, namenly, the
beginning of the Federal Government
ana the outbreak of the civil war, has
the financial ability of American
statesmen been confronted by prob
lem of the magnitude OF the one to
which l have invited your at
tentioD. Never, therefore, was there
time when men believing in
protection to American industry were
more imperatively called upon to grid
about their loins for great battle on
that question. 1t is impending with
in two years, and will be settled favor
ably or adversely in that time. lean
not now 90 into details on the tariff.
as to the manner in which it should
be regulated; but can say this, that
unless it is 80 adjusted as to continue
the doctrine of p'o'ection. you gentle
men will see hard times in this coun-
try. Mr.. B aiue at this point paid his
respects to the London Times.
The Hon. John +. House AT Trenton.
lBPHoIAJ TO THE APPRAL.I
TRENTON, TENN, October 20,-The