The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-08-30
PROTECT YOUR HOMES.
ROUSING RALLY FOR AMERICAN
INDUSTRY.
A ddresses by Hons. w. p. DillIng-
ham, A. w. Reard and Others,

The county rally of the Republican
party was held here yesterday. after
noon and evening. The people of his
toric Bennington have not witnessed
such political demonstration since 1910
as that which took place under the di-
rectlon of the local Republican Clubs.
Bennington protectIonnists rallied in the
days of revolution TO repulse the British
invader. So again the protectionlsts of
this patriotic town turned out en- mdSSe
to support the cause of American labor
and American industries against the as
saults of English and Democratic free
traders. The great wooden goods indus
try of Bennington, which was built up
and has maintained prosperous exist
ence under the protective policy of the
Republican party, is now threatened
with destruction by the English system
of tariff for revenue only. Benning-
ton WOODEN manufacturers, rs our read
ers well know, do not want free wool or
free trade, and the passage Of the Mills
bill would imperil the prosperity of an
interest here employed nearly 1000 per
sons and representing an investment of
81, 800 900. The practice of the present
Administration has been such in regard
to the Interpretation of the tariff laws as
to permit of frauds and undervaiuations
in the importation of wool and the man
ufaCtured product of foreign mills 10 the
detriment of American manufacturers,
The splendid rally of Bennington Pro-
tectioniste, therefore, participated in, as
it was, by the owners of, and operatives
in, the great wooden mills here has sig
nlficance beyond their mere presence at
the meeting The rally was Il vigorous
protest against Cleveland and his free
trade policy.
The Bennington Republicans we're re-
inforced by thousands OF people from
the other towns IN the county-work-
ingmcn, farmers and wool growers, who
came IN on special trains to attend the
great Republican rally. The town was
brilliantly Illuminated by myriads of
Chinese lanterns strung along the
streets, and thousands of lighted candles
in the windows Of public buildings and
private residences. Numerous buildings
were deliberately decorated with patri.
otto devices. flags aud bunting and great
crowds thrunged the streets and much
enthusiasm prevailed. Great interest
centered in the blg torchlight procession
early in the evening of local and visiting
clubs, which paraded FROM the depot
where the local clubs had marched to
receive the visitors. through Depot street
to Main, up Main to Pleasant, down
Pleasant 10 School, out School to Gage,
4 I'D ,lnt,s,a fnrntig IA
North to South, the line of march being
made brilliant with frequent pyrotech-
mic displays. The procession was head
ed by a cRv8lCade of mounted men, fol-
lowed by the Mower and Reaper band OF
Hoosick Falls, n. y. and the Republican
Clubs OF Bennington, Sunderland Shafts
bury, Arlington, Dorset, Manchester and
other towns, a company OF Harrison vet
Grams of 1910, bands of music and drum
corps. Preceding the Tlppecanoe Club
was a transparency OF log cabin with
these inscriptions Protection, ""Nic-
tory" LAS in 1910, so IN 1888; we voted
for the grandsire aud will vo'e for the
grandson" In the line were the Sun
dprland and Arlington bands, and the
Manchester drum corps.
The speaking took place from stand
erected on South street. Fully 5000
people were gathered around the stand
when Col DIN Scott called the meeting
to order. Seated on the platform were
Hon. William P. Dillingham; Of Water
bury, Hon. A. w. Beard Of Boston, Judge
A. l.. Morris IN of Chicago, prominent
Republicans, and the wooIen manufac-
turers Of Bennington, The Republican
candid tie for Governor, Mr.. Dillingham;,
was introduced and met with hearty
reception. lie spoke at the afternoon
meeting and also made brief address
in the evening. He discussed the rela-
tons of the two gceat parties 10 tie tariff
policy OF the country since 1896, and
showed that the Democratic party had
favored tariff for revenue Ou!y III their
National platform, and that the Repub-
lican party had been the protection par
ty Of the country since the enactment OF
the Morrill, tar II law. lie adduced
facts and figures to show that America
and American workingmen had prosper
ed wondrously under the protection sys-
tenn. The great interest taken by Great
Britain in tAe free trade policy of the
Democratic party was cited as reason
WHY lDhlHll at ANU iAfA oilbhih blptCN
the election Of Grover Cleveland and a
Democratic Congress. The next Presi-
dental election, said Mr. Dillingham;,
fortunately occurs in the United States
and not in England. The British papers
are almost unanimous for Cleveland's
re election.
Hon. A. w. Beard of Boston followed
Mr.. Dillingham; afternoon address in
an able and fOrcible tariff speech. Mr..
Beard said the protective system was o.!
vital importance TO American farmers
as well as American workiugnen and
manufacturers. The President had made
an assault on the protective principle in
his message. He exposed the fallacy Of
the arguments aud claims of the English
and Democratic free traders and showed
conClusively that under protection man
ufactured goods had largely decreased
in price, aud that wages had been very
much increased. Mir, Beard adduced
facts gathered lr M his own observation
and experience, showing the increase in
value OF farm productions and the rise
in wages from 1860 to 1888. America,
he said, manufactures more WOODEN
goods than Great Britain. He refuted
the statement made by Mills that we
imported eighty millions worth of
wooden goods last year, quoting Treasury
statistics showing that only thirty-nine
uni lions worth were imported in 1887.
What can you expect OF man who will
deliberately or guorantly falsfy one
half TO make a point And there Mr..
Beard left the argumen; on that point.
The United States produces one sixth ct
all the wool grown in the world, and for
the past twelve years this country bas
produced so per cent. Of all the wool
consumed by American manufacturers.
Lees than 10 per cent. OF foreign wool IS
used by American manufacturers OF
wooden goods.
The Mills bill, he i'd, was purely
sectional bill and is measure in the in
terest of the solid South. A Republican
victory in November will break the solid
South and destroy the free trade party.
Democratic success in the Nation means
legislation in the interest of
England and the Democratic party of
the South. The issue of protection is
one that appeals to the farmers as well
as the wage earners Of America. | come
to Bennington as Vermonter with
loyal pride as to its history. Il is proper
that you should meet here in this his
toric town where century age the tide
of British invasion was met and rolled
back, and that you should again meet to
protect your homes and industries from
the English and Democratic policy OF
free trade.
Hon. A. l. Morrison, President OF the
Irish. American Anti-Free Trade League,
made mastery address ON the tariff
issue. He drew IA parallel to the defeat