New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-03
George GIVES CLEVBLAND CERTIFI

Mr.. George is the "enfant terrible" OF poll
tics, because he will tell what he sees, regard
less of company" In his book on the tariil
he blurted out his utter contempt FOR Demo-
cratic "tarif rcformers" who were anxious
to deny the appellation Free Traders to
insist that we always must have tariff. and to
deprecate sudden reductions" who mildly
oppose protection when no election Is on, Dut
at election times are as quiet as MICE" Now
he gives his opinion of President Clcvcland's
message, and says of had the writing of
MIR. Clevelands message, I would hardly have
had him 90 further than he did" Then he
urges that to refuse him aid would be to sur
render the vital principle Of free trade, and
to stultify himself in regard to all that he las
written on economic questions. These fright
fully frank observations help the Intelligent
observer to find respectfully contemptuous
name for the men who, like MIR. Watterson
in his latest mood, Indignantly deny that Mr..
Clevelands message was frec-trade paper.
Mr.. George goes further. lie practically
refuses to lead Labor movement this year,
on the ground that it would tend to prevent
the triumph of substantial free trade through
Mr.. CIeyeland's election. The Labor party, he
truly urges, would inevitably 90 to pieces on the
tariff question; zone element OF the LABOR
marty will not 90 into the fight unless definite
stand is taken for free trade; another VIII
abandon the party if such stand is taken"
Thus the Labor party, he thinks, should lie
low and wait. Free Traders meanwhile helping
Mr.. Cleveland all they can. This is sound
advice for Free Traders 1t is equally clear
that workingmen who believe in protection
cannot afford to fool away their votes this year
for any candidate whose election Is impossible
They can only sacrifice their interests and be-
tray their convictions by refusing their support
to the Republican candidate because either he
or Free Trader must be elected.
Mr.. George is probably not aware that he
has learned these valuable truths from THE
TRIBUNE, which nevertheless earnestly warned
him and his followers, when they were hoping
to carry this city, and afterward the State,
that no Labor party could possibly live if
grounded on frce-trade ideas. The great body
of workingmen heartily believe in protection
and know perfectly well why. They know
that they get higher wages than they ever did
before the protective tariff was enacted, and
also get all manufactured goods a great deal
cheaper. They have been benefited at both
ends Of the line, in selling their labor and in
buying living and they are too practical and
sensible to throw away the enormous benefits
they have gained by voting in any such fashion
as to make possible the triumph of frec-tradd
ideas. Mr. George. whose statements they
arc ready to believe because they find him
honest enough to be candid even when he differs
from them, frankly informs them that Mr.
Cleveland is a good enough Free Trader for
him, the most ultra and radical Free Trader
in the land, and that the out-and-out Free
Traders will have to support him. The nat
ural result will be that for which THE TRIBUNE
has longed, that parties will divide squarcly
for once on a vital question of public policy,
and then, if the workingmen Of this country
want to vote themselves British wages, that
will be their affair.