Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1888-05-24
A DEMOCRATIC POW WOW.
John P. Irish Holds Forth two Hours
TO a Crowded Audience
Free Trade Talk

Mr. John p. Irish, the gifted ora
tor from the golden state, the elo-
oucnt free trade apostle, and trusted
friend of the administration, ar
rived i'm town last evening to speak
his piece about the presidents last
message to congress. Bonfires were
lighted to hail his presence, and the
fine band Of the second state regl-
mcut discussed excellent music.
When hc appeared on the platform
Of the opera house the hall was
dcnselv filed and "A numerous array
of vice presidents made a good show
ing behind the foot lights. Mr.. A.
Bush presided, and when he pre-
scnted the orator to the meeting,
the latter took his station on the
floor. There was nothing of the
dude in his make up. A 'cOlored
shirt; no suspcnders, cravat or vest,
he stood up before his audience in
easy fitting costume, ready for
ground or lofty tumbling if his
avoirdupois had not forbidden.
or course he chose the tariff for
his discourse, and discussed the re-
spective merits Of free trade and pro-
lection for two hours. Nor did this
severe trial Of patience seem at all
affective to his audience. Mr.. Irish
IL graceful speaker; his elocution
flows easily, he imparts financial
science with an unfailing flow of
words, and his illustrations and an
ecdotes are suited TO a popular au-
ditory. He was frequently APP
plauded. and his hundreds of hear
ers. among whom were many la
dies, kept their seats to the end.
He said the democrats were in a
novel position before the country.
Being embarrassed with a surplus
revenue and an excess Of treasure in
the national vaults, they were re-
quired to show cause why they
should reduce taxation, and defend
themselves from assault for reliev-
ing the people ofa fiscal burden.
Among the large crowd that lis
tened TO Mr.. Irish's discourse, 1t is
probable that "a good many of our
city readers were included. So
there is no need to give any COM
pendulum Of his argument, Hegave
the philos ophy OF commercial rela-
tions In an apt illustration. A neigh
Dor being confined to his bed with Il
long and dangerous Illness, he vol
unteered 10 minister to the sick man
during one night, TO allow his dis
tressed and overwrought wife a
chance to get IL few hours sleep.
His entreatles prevailed on the poor
woman 10 seek repose in her
chamber, but before retiring she had
long string of instructions To give
about administering the medicines
arrnyed on the table. The lady
retired, and the sick man
smmbered on. He was salts
fled that natures restorative of sleep
was more healing than any drugs
that could be poured into his
stomach, 81 he left the patient un'
disturbed through the night, and
when he awoke In the morning
hc called for something To eat
In this way our sick aud PROSTATE
foreign commerce requires To be
treated; let our political quacks leave
Il alone. They are prescribing nos
trums for this Industry and that raw
commodity, retaining the swaddlinC
cloths Of protection on a former in
fant industry that has now become
adult, and, II left unhampered
would he robust The true teach
mgs of economic science We're /,
leave commerce alone. We have
/ the natural advantages OF soil and
climate, and the skill aud,cnergy oi
our people 20 compete with all for
cigu rivals, Let other countries
/ send what commodities tO our pOrts
they can raise or manufacture Ia the
| gpatcst advantage, and we viii
send In return what goods we car
/ produce at the least cost. This will
/ he beneficial To our wOrkmen NJ
well AS Co those We have dealing,
/ with, and illustrates the broad, hu
manitarian policy OF frce CONNER
clal Intercourse rs Il promotes IN,
good of all.
lie could not sex why the sheer
man wanted special protection, Tn,
I cattle man did not ask it; the hors,
I raiser got along unaided; the hOl
I grower not only ais,'d enough lar,
I to gr'ase our own griddles, but las
[ year he exported dO,NN,OO wurtl
Of hog products 20 foreign nations.
lie dwelt with force aud earnest
ness ON the increasing indebtedness
. ot the farming community, an,
showed how all taxation and adven
I titious expense, laid ON the ueces
sarics of life, have "a tendency, liku
. water, To hud the lowest level. Tn
importer pays the custom hous
dues, to he sun, but he charge
I them to the commission
man; this latter charge
I them "a the retail dealer again
and this latter taxes them On th,
consumer The farmer is the las