New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-13
TIE sSUE HONESTLY STATED

Mr.. Watterson, who was chairman OF the
Committee on Resolutions by which the St.
I,ous platform was reported has made state
ment. He holds that the platform is so explicit
and uneouivocal that it needs no explanation
Int The impudent assertions of some Democrats
who profess TO believe that the dishonest strad-
die of 1884 is repeated. move him to Tree
speecb. With perfect truth he declares that
the platform puts an end to all uncertainty
about the meaning of the platform OF 1854, by
declaring MIR. Clevelands latest message the
true Interpretation of that document, by IN
dorsing the action of Democratic Representa-
tives in Congress, by expressly approving the
Mills bill, and by its extended argument IN Ia
yor of the removal or reduction OF duties which,
he holds, are designed to rob the people ne
cause they are protective in character. ne
goes on to explain that, as free trader no
recognizes that the end desired cannot be anu
in equity ought not to be reached at once; thaV
he and other genuine free traders only ihsiso
mon moderate steps toward that end; and that
the Mills bill, if passed, would leave in force q
tariff protective in many of its features, though
less protective and therefore less burdensonie
| than the one now in force.
Beiup an honest and brave man, Mr. Wat
! terson spurns the DISCUSSES which some Dem
ocrats are seeking His statement OF the mean
ing and nature Of the platform agrees preclSeiy
with that of THE TRIBUNE. The chairman Oh
commit, ee who reported the resolutions undcr-
| stands them exactly as their most earnest OPP
| moments understand them-as free trade plat
form in principle, and proposing changes IN
| the direction of free trade just as far ana as
fast as public opinion and the necessities OF IN
dustry will permit Moreover, free traders are
! to iudge what the necessities of industry per-
NIT. So the Mills bill, which MIR. Watterson
also interprets exactly as its opponents do, Is
based upon the belief Of free traders that its
changes will not hurt but will help American
industries On that point its opponents take
iSsue and will ask verdict of the people.
And so of every step in the direction of free
trade which will follow if the people sustain
MIR. Watterson's party : it will be the declared
and doubtless the sincere belief of the free
Traders that this further change will also help
industry, and not hurt it.
Tn that sense and no other, President Cleve-
land and his supporters can be called pro'ec-
tionists. They accept free trade theories, ana
believe that the application o. those theories
will protect industry better than protective
tariff Thanks to the more honest and manly
Of these gentlemen, the issue is made so clearly
that it cannot be evaded The protectionists
believe that legislation in the direction of free
trade beginning with absolute free trade in
wool and greatly reduced and wholly ad valo-
rem duties on woolens, would damage indus
try. The free trader believes that it would
help industry, and the country will decide.
1t ought not to be necessary at this late day,
to repeat definitions so nearly elementary, Nor
would it be necessary, for Mr.. Watterson or FOR
his opponents, if there were not dishonest men
who pretended to be protectionists while sup
porting Mr.. Cleveland and his party. The free
trade theory is that all duties which may en-
nance the cost of home products for the sake
of protection are damaging to industry, and
| ought to be abolished as soon as practicable.
| Action in accordance with that theory begins
with the abolition of certain duties, such as the
duties on wool, and the reduction OF others,
professedly in correspondence 1t is strict and
absolute veracity to speak of this step as free
trade step, and of the theory upon which it is
| justified as the free trade theory. No other
| definition or phrase applies to them truthfuly.
Protection would revise the tariff, whenever
the revenue is too large, by retaining duties
effective for the protection of home industry,
and modifying or removing other duties. Free
trade would revise the tariff by cutting off tho
duties designed to protect industry, and by re-
tanning others.