Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-08-02
and of the Republican party up to very re-

cent perlOu-
Its success at the polls can not destroy
tariff reform, but it will delay IL and convulse
the country for an indefinite time to the detrf-
meut of other reforms It will continue a sys-
tenn of robbery which the farmers can not much
longer endure. Tariff reform Republicans now
face an exigency which taxes TO the utmost
their wisdom and courage and faithfulness to
principle 1t seems to be plain that they must
refuse 10 support the doings OF the Chicago
convention. The majority OF Republican tarin
reformers will be ayerse to identifying them
selves with the Democratic party, though that
party at this 1uneture, in its platform At 81
Louis and doings in Congress- substantially
represents their views 1t seems TO me to be
desirable that there shall be some public con-
sultation on the part of such Republicans to de-
eide what action they will take to sustain
their principles. II that decision should be to
support MIR. Cleveland, the purpose OF such
support could be publicly made knowa. In the
several Congressional districts OF Illinois, and
think OF the West generally, there should be
found practicable way for all tariff reformers,
of whatever party, to combine In supporting q
tar II reform candidate.
II view with great apprehension the fact
that the late Chicago convention was so com
pleteiy of1icered and controlled by the great
monopolies of the country. There Is moth .ng
less than the defeat of the Republican party
that can purge 1t of this dangerous element.
Its success would be the success OF monopoly.
1 somewhat anticipate that real anti-monop-
oily party must be organized in the near future.
On all the principles which constituted the Re
publican party in regard 10 slavery and the war
am as ardent as ever was. Were those is
sues present ones would be as jealous in the
cause as ever. Ihelped to organize the Repub-
can party in Bureau County in 1854, and never
from that time till now voted for any candidate
for once but Republican But regard
principle above party, and party as q means
to carry out principles. can not regard the
late Chicago convention as Republican. In all
its essential features it was a convention OF
clas ses and mon opoists"
when you tell your Republican friends this,
what do they say!"
am sonnet mes asked when met with my
change of opinion I reply: have not
changed One year ago. say to my Repu bic
an questioner. you were with me for retaining
the taxes on spirits and tobacco, and for max
ing the reduction of National taxes on the nee
essaries OF life. Iknow OF no Republican who
then dfssented from this proposition You were
with me six months ago, and two months ago.
and down to the time of the PRONUNCIATION of
tariff plank. you must have changed almost In
the twinkling OF an eye. You accuse me OF
change! II you will study your own case you
will where the change comes in.
IF the occasion called for it I could shout
ardently as ever: Free soil, free speech and
free men, but do not expect that the high
tariff confederacy will ever induce me to shout
for free whisky and free tobacco.
1.-THE National Republican party was formed
in Pittsburgh, in 1885, and the platform
which Fremont was nominated related to
slavery, MormOnlSm and the public lands
making no reference whatever to the tariff
The platform on which MIR. Lincoln was nomi-
mated in 1860 was slightly injected with Incl
dental protection to please Pennsylvania. The
Republicans in Congress in 1855 even those from
Massachusetts. joined the Democrats in reduc-
ing the tariff. conforming to the principle OF a
tariff for revenue. The Republican platform of
1854 made no reference to the tariff. From that
time up to the last Chicago convention, the dec
larations in regard to the tar Il were moderate
and constant in fayor.ng a reduction OF the war
tariff. Mr. Garfield did not lose his standing as
Republican by declaring in his speech in Con-
gress that he was for that kind of protection
which led to free trade.
1.-The high tarfftes claim that the system of
protection commenced under Washfngton's
Administration. That tariff, however, averaged
but per cent, and up to the war OF 1912 it did
not reach Is per cent. The :. ar of 1919 forced
into existence many manufacturing establish
ments. Henry Clay, with considerable pro-
proty, proposed to protect for q time these in
FAINT enterprises. In l843 Mr.. Clay declared that
the doctrine of protection was o temporary ex-
pedient to protect infant industries which have
now grown mostly to maturity and would not
much longer require protection"
Does protection in any instance within your
knowledge increase the pay of the laborer!''
II think that in no case within my knowledge
does 1t increase the laborer's pay. The high
tariff has tended strongly to derange labor by
stimulating into existence more establishments
than the country needed. Many OF the strikes
ana lockOutS have been caused by the desire OF
the mill-owners to stop production. The wages
OF labor are regulated by supply and demand,
the employers always seeking to hire at the
lowest price. The claim of high tariff as pro-
lection for American labor really means o high
tariff to protect monopoly"
AS between the St. Louis and Chicago plat
forms which do you intend to supportr'
The Chicago platform clearly demands q
continuance of the tax upon farmers to give
bounties to the manufacturers. The St. Louis
platform, on the contrary, demands such a re-
form OF the tariff as will give great relief 10
agriculture Unless farmers are willing from
partisan motives TO vote that heavy and I'M
just burdens shall be imposed upon them, they
must vote down the Chicago platform. The
St. Louis platform declares in the line OF the
interest of farmers and other consumers, and
there should be found way in this emergency
by which they can give 1t their earnest sup
port. Personally, believing Grover Cleveland
to be the foremcst champion OF the rights OF
the people, shall support at the polls the
views he advanced in his bravo message
Grover Cleveland has grown in public estima-
tlon. in ability and in character. He represents
a great principle, and when principle is at
stake shall be true to my convictions. This
year, to be consistent, must indorse by ballot,
pen ana voice. the platform of the St. Louis
convention IfskutcG (LI) Cor. Chicago Herald.
n,,As%i@He Goa kHaA