The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-08-17
hated Mank,
A SECTIONAL CONTEST.

However much il is TO be deplored the
fact remains that by the action of Grover
Cleveland and his tree trade allies the
campaign of 1855 is 10 De fought and de-
cided upon sectional lines. Itcannot be
ignored that as the case now stands il is
North. 1t as not now as IN 1861 an as
sault with arms, but Is one against the
industrial and commercial interests Of
the North. II General Harrison is elect
ed it means the triumph of Northern
ideas and a continuation of Northern
progress and prosperity. If Democracy
wins il means the overthrow of North
ern industrial interests and the degrade
ton of Northern wageworkers and the
domination of Southern free trade ideas
which were so disastrous TO this country
and which retarded the development of
our great resources. This is not an idle
statement, but the facts speak for them
selves, and SO PLAINLY that any intelli-
gent person may see for himself the
danger which threatens the capital and
labOring interests OF the North. The
eleven eX-Confederate States are repre-
scented in Congress by eighty-five repre-
sentatives. All but nine of these voted
uncOmprOmisingly TO antagonize North
ern industries. They are on record, not
only as voting for the Mills bill, but
against every amendment looking to re-
lief of Northern interests, and in favor
of every scheme for aiding Southern in
terests, even TO the extent of protecting
moonshIners in the production of illicit
whisky. The five border States-all
kept in the Union by the fear of the
bayonet-are represented by thirty-six
members. Twenty-Five of these cast
their votes and influence In favor of a
sectional tariff measure.
Thus los votes hostile to Northern in
terests and in favor of British workshops
come from south of Mason and DIxon's
line, and only sixteen in favor of Amer
lean industries. OF the. thirty-two Sena-
tors from these States, if occasion is fur
nished, all, save two, will vote as a unit
against Northern interests. And thus
the issues of the campaign are made up.
Now let us look at the sublime efrontery
OF this Southern raid on Northern inter-
ests.
According to the census of 1880 the en-
tire capital in both the ex-Confederate
and border States employed in manufac-
lures was 1899. 0OO, 500; wages paid, $780,
100000, and value of manufactured prod
ucts, $3.50, 100000. A very considerable
portion of this capital, wages, and prod
ucts should be credited to the sixteen
districts represented by the sixteen
friends Of American interests from the
Southern and border States.
Now turn to the mighty interests of
the North, that are menaced by these
sectionalists. Capital employed in man
ufactures in 1880 in Northern States, ST.
10000, 900; wages paid to workingmen,
$842, 600 900; value of products annually
manufactured, a,7l2 100000!
These figures are furnished by a cor
respondent of the Inter- ocean, who truly
declares that it is monumental outrage
that men who, two decades ago, were
seeking pardon for having sought to de-
stroy the government of our fathers,
should now be found assaIling such vast
interests, in spirit of sectional hos
tility!
If these questions are properly com
pretended by Northern wageworkers
and manufacturers, sectional free trade
ism will be buried so deep in November
next that the Carlisles, the Wattersons,
the Mills, the Breckenridges, and their
Northern Democratic allies will never
dare to attempt its resurrection.