The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-07-19
THE SHAM AND PRETENCES OF
THE DEMOCRATIC FREE TRAD
ERS,

TN y IVA n M y II AANSAAo VT
THE DEMOCRATIC FREE TRAD
ERS.
The Young Republican Clubs Con
trIbutIOn this Week to the Current
Political Literature OF the Day.
This village has recently, from some
mysterious fountain head, been flooded
with copies OF Democratic, that IL free
trade, speech of Jno. E. Russell in which
the principal fact sought to be establish
ed seems to be that John E. Russell is
from Massachusetts. In truth that ap.
pears to be about the only significance
which the document possesses aside
from general attack upon the closing
paragraph OF the speech Of our esteemed
representive, Mr.. Circuit where the t
ter casually refers to the history of this
State, and its present condition. repelling
the assertions of the gentleman from
Kentucky, that Kentucky advanced
while Vermont fell behind.
AS a specimen of a good natured ram.
bling, off hand address in which the
speaker finally comes to the conclusion
that after all the nation has not been
comparatively very prosperous since
1860, and that it is better to wear cheap
coat with the duty off of it than good
one with the duty on, or in other words,
better TO be able to buy a coat for three
dollars although you haven't got but
two dollars to pay for it with, than to be
obliged to pay five and have five dollars
left, as a specimen Of this kind OF cam
paign, Democratic theology it is very
fair sample and we are not surprised
that when "Mr. Russell OF M4ssachu-
sets" looked over the Record and found
out what he had said and how much
time he had succeeded in occupying he
became so elated that he felt unable tC
restrain himself from scattering his
speech broadcast wherever he could find
a reader.
But when our laborinp men have liv
ing specimens, and plenty of them, OIL
the practical operation of the free trade
theory, imported from Europe and SCI
right down under their noses. as are thC
gangs of Italians. Bohemians, etc
brought here to labor, 1t is nothing
strange that they should perslstently
opine that the whole system smells baC
and such speeches as these will neve
prevent them from coming to the con
clusion that they are better off just 81
they are and that 1t is safer 20 let wei
enough alone,
When it is kept in mind that cheaI
labor, low wages, can benefit the EN-.
ployer alone, the free trade Democratic
rawlings will neither deceive the intelli
gent voter nor influence the casting Of
his ballot in November.
AS an instance OF the pettifOgging in
consistency of this same Mr.. Russell auC
illustrative of the spirit Of the who'll
movement for the reduction OF the tariff
the following paragraph from the Boo
ton Journal Of July 18Th, speaks To-
itself
ut perhaps may be worthy Of MOTTO
that Free Trader John Russell Of Massa
ohusetts has induced the Ways ant
Means Committee to protect the care
clothing interest OF his District by re
storing the duty upon it. II do . no
matter that the free traders were incon
sistent. They were protecting fire.
traders in manufacturing districts ant
destroying their platform and s,ultlfy
ing themselves, but they want votes a
the same time. The plush industry II
New England is striken down, Russell
is quoted as saying that ten Thousand
dollars can be contributed to the Demo
cratic campaign fund in Massachusetts
il he shall receive the nomination TO
Governor"
Is there anything which could NOR
certainly demonstrate the weakness an
wcrthlessness of theory than the fac
that its own supporters shrink from tn
application of it?