The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-10-28
At the Rink.

On Monday last Hon. Thos. III. Dudley
of New Jersey, delivered an able speech
to three or four hundred attentive hearers
in the Skating Rink, on the subject of the
tariff. He was introduced to the audience
by Mr.. C. D. A. Curry in few appropri
ate remarks. and received by those present
with lively demonstrations. He discussed
the tariff from high standpoint and
adduced facts and figures to rivet his ar.
guments in the minds of his hearers. II
was very able and instructive address, and
the only regret we have to express is that
every farmer and wages Garner in the
county could not lave heard it. One fact
mentioned AS to he effect cf protection
was illustrative of the policy as il brought
prominently to the attention of the au-
dience the results Of protective tariff.
As consul to Liverpool. under Mr.. Lin
coins administration. it was the duty of
Mr.. Dudley to invoice the steel rails, &C..
shipped from that country to this. At
that time we did not manufacture steel
rails, and were entirely dependent upon
England for our supply. Then the price
was $3.50 per ton. England controlled our
market. for we had no manufactures to
compete with her. Since then. under the
operation of our protective policy, our
steel industries have been built up, and
now better quality of steel rails can be
purchased in Philadelphia or Pittsburg for
$50 per ton. The tariff on this article en-
conraged the establishment of steel plants,
competition followed. until the result re-
corded was reached. This fact is illustra-
tive of the whole protective policy and
demonstrates the benefits which grow out
of it to the people. In cutlery, cotton
goods, earthenware. silks and everything
else consumed by our people, the same ra-
ito of advantage has been realized for the
protective laws enacted in 1861, and now
in existence, with some notifications In
cotton cloths we are now underselling
England in her own market. and conse-
quently are shipping our manufactures
there. By the operation of our protective
policy, We hold the balance of trade, sell
ing more than we buy, encourage home
production and home labor, and enrich
our country by keeping the money which
pays labor in circulation at home. to ere
ate new values in all the avenues of trade
and enterprise.
Mr.. Dudley made mastery presenta
tion of the subject of protection, surpass
ing anything of the kind we have ever
heard. and if 1t could have been heard by
all the voters of the county, would have
carried conviction 10 many who have been
confused and COMPOUNDED on the subject
by Democratic speakers who know little
and care less about this important sub.
ject, and the effects of its practical oper-
alton upon the interests of the farmer and
wage. Garner generally. The contrast he
presented between the condition of the
country in 1861 when the protective laws
were first enacted, and that in 1886, after
their operation for quarter of century
was astounding, yet every statement he
made Was fortified by official figures and
facts. With such results before the peo-
pie it is difficult to understand how any
American citizen, devoted to country,
could support any other policy than that
of protection. and give his best efforts to
arrest the iufluenc which are being as
sisluously set in motion by the Golden
Club of England-the most powerful po-
litical organization in. the world-and the
Free Trade League of this country. to
break down this American policy, in the
interest of British Free Trade. While
speaking he held in his hand the minutes
of the Golden Club, and among its mem
bers was recorded the name of ]. Randolph
Tucker, OF Virginia, subscribing to its
doctrines and its policy of free trade.
while Mr.. Tucker, about the same time
Mr.. Dudley was speaking, was addressing
an audience i'll Nelson county, in behalf of
Capt. Bumgardner.
At the close Of Mr.. Dudley's very able
and instructive speech. the colored band
which was present, played several select
pieces, after which Col. r Turk proposed
three cheers for Hon. Thos. II. Dudley
and the Protective Policy, which were
given with will.
Loud calls were then made for G. D. A.
Curry, who responded in stirring speech
of fifteen minutes, and then the audience
dispersed, well satisfied with the days
work.