The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-09-27
TILE AMERICAN SYSTEM.

The wealth and strength OF country
depends upon what it is within itself,
and not upon its neighborS. The sources
Of wealth lie in agriculture, mauufac-
lures, commerce, mining and cheap
transportation. The greatness and pow
er of nation depends upon the develop
ment of all these resources unitedly and
not upon one alone, 1t IS easy enough
for people to declare themselves to be
free and independent, but it is another
matter to become SO. What the United
States is is what she has made herself to
be, and not what the contribution OF
other countries have made her. Our
greatness is the direct result of our own
efforts, aided and secured by wise legs-
lation. Legislation in every form should
be protective in its character in order to
insure development. That this country
has doubled in population, grown
wealthy and strong in the same or great
er proportion since 1860, is due altogeth-
er to the protective laws passed in 1851.
The Democracy says that the end of our
progress and prosperity should come
now, in the encouragement 10 be given
to foreign products, manufactures and
commerce, to the neglect of our own.
This is the question to be decided in this
Presidential campaign; whether the poll
cy of the government in this respect shall
be changed. '.'
The Republicans declare that the
country is in its infancy yet and that its
great development and possibilities have
hardly been entered upon, Whether
they have or not depends altogether upon
the present and future policy of the gov
eminent. Everything Of value comes
from labor, and there is no wealth,
strength or advancement outside of it.
The whole question, then, becomes mar
rowed down to the one proposiCion--as
to the employment of the laboring man
IN the several occupations named, and
the wages he shall receive. The govern
ment may decide this matter, and does,
by It's tariff laws, which alike encourage
home productions and discourage for
cign impOrtations and competition.
The United Stats lie an empire in it.
self. It has its great variety of climat",
it has its farming lands, mines and ma
terlals in complete variety to produce
almost everything that is desired in the
country; and all that is lacking is their
utNtlOplutub. we HhNb tue IEScHi OF
free trade among the States and Terri.
tories, with cheap ansportation.-grow
ing cheaper every year, and what more
can be desired Protect this empire Of
ours and Ills producers, and competition
will take care Of the rest. Give to our
producers Of all classes the markets Of
The country, and knowing tEeir capacity
our producers will till them at the low
est actual cost, and in many instances
cheaper than they can be supplied from
abroad. But whether cheaper or not,
or own producers shout first have the
benefit of the home market, and the peo-
pie Of the whole country will share in
the profits in many ways ...s
Why does England bestow subsidies
on her merchant marine in the shape OF
mail service, aud why do most foreign
countries pay bounties 10 develop their
products No such bounlies are paid in
the United States. but encouragement is
rendered in another way; by Tue enact
ment Of laiiff laws The payment OF
bounlies to foster home industries comes
from the pockets OF the people directly.
while from the receipt Uf customs duties
our industries mHy be prOtec'Cd almost
entirely AZ the expense of foreign mer-