Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-01-12

by Inviting q close competition with
pauper labor? Tie Wcrkincmaa would
have to share the fate of his empiOvcr
and divide with him the loss The
question was one purely OF wages. II
wages were not greater here than in
England, France and Belgium Ameri-
cas- chief competitors, this country
could, no doubt, compete now with all
the world in all metallic and textile fab
ricS. But would it be wise to pursue a
policy that would compel the reduction
of wages to the general standard in Eu-
rope! The Republican party had de-
clared it to be the duty of the National
Government not only to levy enough
duties ON imported merchandise to sup
port the Government, but To levy those
duties so as to secure to iaboring men
employed in manufactures such wages
as would enable them to support, main
tain and educate properly their wives
and children. Cheap labor in this coun-
try meant the degradation of American
politics. He had thus endeavored (he
said) to give respectful answer TO the
Presidents message. He was willing
according to the Republican National
platform of 1884 to correct the irregu-
larities of the tariff. and to reduce the
surplus-not by the vicious and UndiS-
eliminating process Of horizontal reduc
ton, but by such methods as would re-
lieve the taxpayer without iniuring The
laborer or the great productive indus
tries of the country. He Was willing
(as recommended by the president) 10
join in careful examination Of the de-
tails of the tariff laws. with view to
the reduction of taxes. he was willing
(aS the President enjo;neG) ~ take a
broad and national contemplation OF the
subject, with practical disregard of
such local and selfish claims as were I'M
reasonable and regardless of the entire
country. But he could hot do that and
at the same time follow the recOmmen-
daticns of the President. He could not
strike at the industrial interests built up
by the tariff laws. He could not deepen
and intensity the struggle Eow going on
between employers and employed by in
viting increasing competition, erippling
manufacturers and reducing wages. He
greatly preferred policy that would en-
courage home industry, diversity home
productions, discourage importationS,
add to the external and internal COM
nerce, open new mines, increase raw
materials. light new furnaces, establish
new rolling mills, factories and work
Shops, and develop the wonderful nat
ursl resources of the country. He pre-
ferred that policy which looked to the
interest of the American people rather
than to those of foreign nations. He
preferred the policy of reducing prices
by home competition rather than by |
foreign competition, of cbcapening raw
materials by increased production, by |
the improvement of rivers and harborS |
and by railroad competition. In other
words, he preferred the developement,
increase and growth of the productions
of this country without regard to the
policy or theories or interests Of other
nations. Whatever might be said of |
other nations, protection to home indus
trieS-as embodied in the tariff laws
was the best for this country, and he
(for One) proposed to maintain it, even
against the advice of the President.
In conclusion he said: We do not
as we ought, the command
ing position now held by the United
States among the nations Of the world.
Our fathers won the freedom of the
ocean, and proclaim the doctrine of con-
tinental exemption from European ag-
greSsions. We in our day have tested
the strength of the Union. We have
abolished slavery, we have established
the principles on which our currency
and public faith are founded, so as to
command the respect and approval of
the civilized world. We are now united
in bonds of growing strength and, 1
trust, in perpetual union. We have
built up our industries by Il policy
founded upon the highest patriotism.
Its success is marked by the general
wealth and prosperity of our people.
By taxing them it seeks to benefit, and
it extends its benefits impartially 10 ev-
cry industry and to every section. 1t
gives employment to the labOrer in every
field. 1t concentrates in our own land
and among our own people, agriculture,
commerce and manufactures, making
each support the other, and all contribul-
ing to the wealth and grandeur of the
Republic.
These gIeat departments of industry
are not now divided By sectional lines,
but are interwovan, like the veins, art
cries and muscles of the human body
What We want now is the cultivation Of
the sentiment of patriotism, an intense
love of country, feeling of national
pride. Every American, whether native
OF naturalized, ought TO feel that this is
his country, to which he owes allegiance
duty and pride. The President any /
President in his elevated SeclusiOn, ap-
preached only by flattererS and office
seekers, should regard the interests and
honor Of his country, its development
and prosperity, and the employment and
happiness of his countrymen, as higher
far than the interests of foreigners or
the Development of their products tt
is to the Senate only that l have a right
to appeal. The best we can do for
is to do the best for our country.
"Our country's welfare is our first concern.
And who promotes that best, best proves his duty
The home missionary is the best mis-
sionary. The light of our example we
give to foreign nations; duty we owe to
our own. What higher duty can there
be than to be watchful of the interests, :
and to protect and foster and diversity
the industries of the American people!
Senator Sherman's speech was listened
to with close attention, and when he
at o'clock, he was congrat-
llated by his Republican associates.