, 1888-09-05
A Harrison

FORT WAYNE, Sept. AFTER a num-
Der of stops at small places the train bear
ing Gen. Harrison pulled into Fort Wayne
at l:45 and the general was conducted to
the public square, where a reception was
held.
After an enthusiastic demonstration at
the depot, Gen. Harrison was escorted by
Gov. Robertson and other members of
the reception committee to Hamilton
square, where a stand had been erected,
and a large crowd greeted the distin-
guished guest. Gen. Harrison spoke as
follows:
My friends, 1 am glad to know the
people are moved to thoughtful consider
alton of those questions which are this
year presented for their determination.
Under popular governments like ours it is
of the first importance that every man
who votes should have some reason for
his vote. | think it is universally conced-
ed, conceded by Democrats as well as
Republicans, that the questions involved
in this campaign do have a very direct
bearing upon the national prosperity and
upon the prosperity and welfare OF indi-
vidual citizens. [ think it is conceded
that the result of this election will affect
benefcially OF injuriously our great manu-
featuring interests, and will affect for veal
or for woe the ~workingmen and working
women who fill these beehives of indus
try. | want to call our ~attantion to a
few facts and principles.
The condition of the wage workers of
America is better than that of the wage
workers of any other country in the world.
If that be true it is important that you
should each find out why it is so; that
each one of you should determine for him
self what effect the protective tariff has
had and is likely to have upon his wages
and his prosperity. Does it need to be
demonstrated that if we reduce our tariff
to a revenue level, if we abolish from it
every consideration of protection more
goods will come from abroad than come in
now? And what is the necessary effect?
1t is the transfer to foreign shops of the
work you need here. 1t is to diminish
American production and increase Eng
fish production. That is to be the effect
OF 1t. 1t is not worth while to stand upon
the nice definitions as to free trade. Some
think it enough to say hat they are not
free traders because they are not in favor
Of abolishing all customs duties. Let me
remind such that the free trade countries
of Europe recognized to be such have not
abolished all customs duties.
A better distinction is this: The free
trader believes In levying customs duties
without any regard to the effect OF those
duties upon the wages of our working
people, or upOn the production of our
own shops. This, then, is the issue.
Take it 10 your homes. There are many
confusing and contradictory statements
made in the public press and by public
speakers. Ask any of those who assail
our protective system whether they do not
believe that if tEeir policy is adopted a
larger amount of foreign made goods will
come into this country. 1t is their pur-
pose to increase importation in order to
cheaper prices. L think L may safely
ask you to consider this question whether
this ch%eapening of prices which they seem
to regard as the highest attainment of
craftsmanship is consistent with the rate
of wages that our working people enjoy
now.
Do you believe for the moment that
the two factories making the same pro-
duct can be maintained in competition,
where one pays 80 per cent more to its
workingmen than the other? Is it not
certain that wages must be equalized in
those competing establishments or the
one paying the highest wages must shut
May 1 not appeal to you to re-
view these questio, and consider them
anew in the light of all information that
is accessible to you. IF you shall do that
| do not doubt that the working people
of this country will this November for
ever settle the question that American
custom duties shall by intention and by
forethought, have regard to the wages
of our working people.
The general then took a position on
the steps of the pavilion and shook
hands with the two or three thousand
present.