Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-15
TALKING TO HIS FRIENDS
GEN. HARRISON RECEIVES TWO
 LARGE DELEGATIONS.
Confessed Free Tr:~ders are Very Few, English Statesmen and Newspapers to
 the Contrary, Says MT. Harrison.

English Statesmen and Newspapers to
 the Contrary, Says MT. Harrison.
 INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 15. - There were nearly 6,000 Republicans from Mason and Douglass counties, Illinois, and Hamilton county, Indiana in the city yesterday af- ternoon, to see General Harrison. The h. dianans came first, 2,50o strong. Their re- ception occurred in University Park. When Gen. Harrison appeared he was re- ceived with great cheering, and in response to J. R. Gray, the spokesman of the dele gation, he referred to the homo influence iu American affairs. On this topic he said:
 Mot long ago distinguished English man and barrister visited this country. On his return to England he was frequently asked if he was not amazed at the size of this country. He rebuked this too preva- lent idea of the bulk of our country by speaking with warm praise of the higher and finer things in our civilization. And so my thoughts have turned away from those things scheduled i'll our statistical reports to the higher and better things in the spiritual nature. l congratulate you, not so much on your prosperity, as on your happy homes. The home is the best, as it is the first school of citizenship.
 II should despair for my country If American citizens were to be trained only in eur schools, valuable as thelr instruc- tion is. It is in the homes that we learn respect and obedience of parental author 1by, that we ledru that WnlCU IS VlrLuOuS and pure It is my pride that the Repub- icRn party has always been a promoter and protector of the homo. By the home stead act 1t created half million homes, and by tho emancipation it turned half million cattle pens into homes. The Re- publican party has always been, and can be trusted to be in future, the friend Ot all that promotes Christian virtue, morality and happiness, and the enemy of all that intrudes on morality, virtue and happi- ness.'
 Hand shaking followed the speakin z, after which they withdrew from the park and General Harrison returned to hls homo,
 It was about an hour later when the Ma con and Douglass county delegations ar- rived, each with 200 visitors.
 The Douglas County people were in less formidable numbers, but as intense i'll en- thusiasm. The reception of these two was held at the park, and on behalf of Doug lass County D. T. Mtnturn spoke, while A. Il. Mills performed that office for the people of Macon County. Gen. Harrison spoke as follows:
 '"The confessed free traders are very few in this country. But English states men and English newspapers confidently declare that in fact we have great many. (Applause). We are told that it is only an average reduction of seven per cent. that is contemplated. Naughter.) We'll, if that were true and not a very deceptive sentiment, as 1t really IS, you might fairly ask whether this average reduction does not sacrifice some American industry or the wages of our men and women workers. You may also ask to see the free list, which does not figure in this average (AppIauSe, and cries. of "That's it!'O
 "N e would have more confidence In the protest of these refOrnlers that they are not free traders if we could occasionally hear one of them say that he was d pro- tectionist (applause) or admit that our customs duties should adeXuately favor OUT domestic industries; but they seem to be content with a negative statement. Those who would, if they could, eliminate the protective principle from our tariff laws have in former moments of candor described themselves as progressive free traders, and it Is an apt designation.
 1.-The protective system IS a barrier against flood of foreign importation and the competition of underpaiu labor ill Europe. (Applause.) Those who want to lower the dyke owe to those who live behind it to make a plain statement of pur- pose. Do they want to invite the floods, or do they believe in the dyke, but think It will afford adequate protectlon at a lower level! (Great and enthusiastic applause) What say is only suggestive. cannot in this brief talk go into details, or even pro- perly limit the illustrations 1 have used, but this IS an appropriate auu timely in- Quiry ..,., what disposition to the principle of protec- tiou Is it that our present tariff schedule Is attached ! It may be that reductions should be made; it may be some duties should be increased, but we want to know whether those who propose revision be- heve in taking thought of our American workingmen in fixing rates, or will leave to chance effects Of a purely revenue tariff" (Applause.)
 The General then greeted each of the visitors by shaking hands, after which the crowd dispersed.