Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-03-09

young voter on this question. but L do
think the party might as we'll expect to
keep the ocean at high tide as to keep the
tariff in times of peace substantially what
it was in times of war. Personally, l stand
where Garfield stood in 1870, when he said:
81 am for protection which leads to ulti-
mate free trade. am for that free trade
which can only be achieved through rea-
sonable protection" l might describe the
present situation, as I view it, in these
other words of Garfield: THE signs are
unmistakable that strong reaction is set
ting against the prevailing rates (the tariff
rates. and he is not wise legislator who
shuts his eyes to the facts of the situation.
n He is not q faithful Representa-
tive who merely votes for the highest rate
proposed in order to show on the record
that he voted for the highest figure, and
therefore is sound protectionist. He is
the wiser man who sees the tides and cur
rents of public opinion, and uses his best
efforts to protect the industry of the people
against sudden colapses and sudden
changes. Now, if I do not misunderstood
the signs of the times, unless we do this
ourselves prudently and wisely, we shall
before long be compelled to submit to
violent reduction, made rudely and
WlIuOut Observation-Disclosures WhiS1 WILL
shock, if not shatter, all our protected
industries" These are the words of Gar
field, and I submit they in no way describe
the present app aren't tendency of the Re
publican party. Mr.. Charm an, know the
difficulty of this whole question, and how
that, after all has been said, it is ques-
ton of details, but I feel that the differ
ence between the present type of the Re-
publican party and myself is this. and
feel that it is new difference; the Repub-
lican party at the moment appears deter
mined to hold on to all the protection it
can retain, while I would like to see it part
with all the protection that can be spared.
In other words, I want to see the tariff re-
formed, and reformed by its friends, in
the interest of SO much of protection as the
industries of the country may still require.
In twenty-five years and more the pro-
tective system has done something towards
making our industries independent. If we
ourselves claim that it has not. many will
think the sooner we part with the system
the better; if it has, let US ourselves get
the benefit of what it has done by giving
to the country such reduction and re-
arrangement of duties as will give us a
share of the foreign trade of the world. be-
sides home market having no room IN it
for trusts which stife domestic competition.
In these days of the telephone, and the
telegraph. and the railroad, the world
moves quickly and moves forward. A party
which makes it its business simply to apply
the brakes may have its uses, but its mis-
sion certainly will not be to shape the des-
TIMES of great and progressive people.
The question concerning the Republican
party which, to-day, is agitating the minds
of multitudes of its most loyal friends, is
nothing less than this, whether the party
can, and whether it will, deal with the
questions of to-day, rather than with the
vision and in the spirit of all era that is
gone.