The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-05
Mr.. Blaine Discusses the Tariff Ques-
ton Before Michigan Audience.
Cogent Reasons for Abolishing all Internal
Taxes, with the Single Exception of the
Tax on Whisky Sold as Beverage.
Justice and Fair Play for American
Citizens Demand a Protective Policy.
Voters of the Country. by Their Ballots in
November, Will Take Action That Cannot
Be Reconsidered BY This Generation.
THE AMERICAN POLICY.

THE AMERICAN POLICY.
Srong Arguments In Behalf of Protection
Mr.. Blaine at Adrian, Mich.
ADRIAN. Mich, Oct 4-Mr Blaine spoxe at
the fair grounds this afternoon to about Il, 600
people. Promising with reference to letter
published in Democratic journal at Detroit.
on the Sd inst, and addressed to him over the
signature of "W. Stearns," Democratic con-
gressional candidate, Mr. Blaine said that,
whether it was intended to be courteous not,
the letter would receive from him courteous
reply. He continued:
''The writer wanted to know why. Ia the
House Of Representatives, in 1868, opposed a
tax on lumber, and why am now in favor OF
containing the tariff on lumber. Ny questioner
has evidently consulted the official record, for he
cites page and date of the Congressional Globe.
IL be will again make the same reference he
will find that opposed an internal tax on lum-
Der, and that this had nothing whatever to do
with the tariff tax on lumber. except as it made
the tariff more effective. That was at a time
when we were taxing everything ac-
count Of the great increase OF our
national debL L maintained then, az
maintain now, that IL was unwise to impose
upon breadstuffs or lumber o tax which increased
by the amount OF the tax the cost to the con-
sumner in the United States. If the gentleman
cannot distinguish between an internal aud q
tariff tax. will explain the difference lCries
of 'Oh, he doesn't know it. As TO that, ex-
press no opinion other than that the jury OF the
vicinase seems to be against him.
Tho internal tax is one that does not protect
any American industry, but takes just that
much out OF an industry. It is q tax which In
this country is leved-except on q very few ar
ticles-only 10 war times. 10 is the same as the
excise which has been for generations SO odious
q tax in Great Britain 1t is the same against
which the people OF portions of the United
States came near rebelling during Washingtons
administration. We are 10 better order now,
and we pay every tax that Is levied. But the
United States, in the judgment OF tho Repub-
licans, ought to raise all the money they need
for the support OF the governments from the
tariff, because the tariff gives 10 the
American lSborer and TO every industrial inter-
est in own country great advantage over
the foreign laborer and the interests OF the in
dustries OF other countries. and aids IN build
ing up great home market-which is some
thing that the United States posses to-day be-
yond any nation on the globe.
II have said that was opposed to every tax
except the tariff tax make one exception. /
am in favor of continuing the tax whisky,
except on that which is used in the arts and 10
reported 70 Congress. IA voice, 'Whyfl will
tell you why. am In favor of IL because
think the tax tends gto make the price little
higher and TO lessen the number OF those who
would purchase 1t as q drink. That 10 my one
reason, and the only reason. namely: that for
every restriction upon q vice that can be con-
fned-and the drinking Of liquor is . great
vice-you gain $50 much from it. But that
of paramount Interest, in the
discussion Of the grest and leading question
which is at issue. because 1t does not have
feathers weight Ia deciding that which the
American people must decide now, and upon
which they must win or lose for generation.
repeat that the question at issue Ia 1883 must
be decided one way or the other for a genera
ton. IL the protective tariff is lost in this
election, do not any one Of you who are careless
as to your votes fatter yourself that IL may be
caught up next year or the year after You will
not have an opportunity for many years 10 re-
verse your verdict of this year. The Demo
Gratis, who are assailiug the tariff, well know
that il they lose this year and the cause of pro-
lection triumphs they are beaten finally aud for
this generation. II 10 q joining OF issues for q
final combat such has not occurred in this
country on that question since 1888 and every
voter within the hearing Of my voice may
take my word for 1t that, whichever party tri-
umphs this year. triumphs for the whole time
for which they will be actors on the political
stage. So that the effect OF your votes now is
not confined to this year, nor the next but will,
throughout which sou may take part in polit-
cal affairs.
''The question comes to this: Great Britain
is q manufacturing country OF immense capacity.
She supplies fabrics to millions of people
throughout the world. She has 200 COO 900 sub
jects in India, all of whom she supplies. She
has in Australia, practically, q monopoly Of the
supply, and she has South Africa, and her colo
MES here and there over the whole globe. But
there is one market in which sixty-fiye millions
nf all ha
globe are purchasers and consumers
market which she knows is larger.
better and grander than all the other
markets combined-that of the United States
of America She knows that IL she get
into that market IL means O revival Of her trade
to an extent unknown for q century, and such
as could not exist until the United States had
attained their present power and greatness.
Great Britain seeks entrance into our mar
ket, and the Democratic party, following the
lead of President Cleveland is doing every
thing it can to destroy the homo market Of this
country and give largo share of 1t to nations
beyond the sea
ITO begin with, they say: Let Us have no
duty on wool. Why should you give protection
to woolr Why not say to Australia: Bring
your wool here, and you will have just as good
market in this country as the Amer
lean himself has for his wooll They
raise, every vegetable product. your grain, yonr
dairy. shall come in here and have just good
a chance under the American flag the prod
ucts Of our own people have, who pay taxes TO
support our government They say to all the
people Of the globe. to those who produce salt
as to all others, Come here, and you shall have
| just as good q chance in our market as the State
OF Michigan has in supplying SALT And 30 on
with the whole list of home products AS to each
principal STABLE or the two or three leading sta
| pies of each State, they make the declaration
| that those products, in tho production of which
| SO many American citizens lsboring, shall
| not be marketed unless it be in direct cosnpeti-
ton with the products of foreign nations, of ma
| tions who pay no taxes TO support the govern
| ment of the United States, and are not in any
| way interested in the government of the United
States.
''Is that fair plsyl-that You OF Michigan.
| with State of, suppose, 100000 of people,
| State and national governments, should have
no more of right and receive no more of favor
under the flag OF your country than is given to,
| and received by, man who lives in q foreign
| country and beyond the seat Is that ordinary
fair play between mau and mani No. No.
There Is an advantage in free trade under GER
| tain conditions and within certain limits With
| q population Of 5000, 600 in the United States
and eight Territories, we have $780, 900 square
| miles OF territory, with 1900 miles OF ocean
| front Throughout that vast array, nearly
| equaling In extent that of the entire continent
OF Europe, but with frontage more
| extended than that OF Europe, Americans
| have, among themselves, around their owr
| hearthstones and firesides, absolute free trade
| We do not erect barriers on our State borders tc
prevent free communication. A citizen of one
State who has for sale o particular article thai