The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-10-25


policy Of the British merchants, IL is
time we should become a little more
Amerlcanized, and instead NJ feeding
the paupers and laborers OF Europe,
feed our own, or else in a short time, by
continuing our present policy, we shall
all be paupers ourselves,
Col, Russell continued
Who do you suppose wrote that let
ter Il was no less person than An
drew jackson, President Of the United
States, whose teachings have been lm-
bued with all my life, He believed in a
tariff for protection.
That letter was written at a time
when this country was suffering dIsas-
tiers brought on it by the importation Of
English made goods. wares and mer-
chandise. Take the period from 1924 to
1861 and from 1861 to the present time
and history proves that a tariff for reve
nue. only has always brought ruin and
destruction on the country, and pro
tectivs has been the cause of prosperity
and national advancement. The imam
cial crisis Of 1857 was followed by Pc
riod Of distress and hard. times down to
| 1861. Here is what President Buchanan
said Of the condition of the country
the direct result of low tarf-in De
1ember, 1860, in proclamation
1.-THE union OF the States is at the
present moment threatened with alarm
and immediate danger. Panic and dts
trees of a fearful character prevail
through the land. Our laboring popu-
latiOn are without employ ment and con-
sequently deprived Of the means of
earning their bread. Indeed, all hope
seems TO have deserted the minds oil
men,"
In his annual message to Congress
President Buchanan said Of that free
trade period
with unsurpassed plenty in all the
elements of national wealth, our manu-
features have suspended, our public
works are retarded, our private enter.
priseS OF different kinds are abandoned
and thousands of useful laborers are
thrown out OF employment and reduced
to want"
| never read a more touching letter. l
have not been among those who ques
toned the loyalty and devotion Of Pres
ident Buchanan. He stood among the
ruin produced by the low tariff dlctlted
to the nation by the South-the low tar
If measures dating back to Folks time.
He saw the South preparing for war,
but he seemed to be helpless and unable
to check the dangers.
How about the treasury in 1861 Inc
treasury was bankrupt. The South was
arming for desperate attempt to de-
stroy the Union. There was no money |
in the United States treasury to pay Tor
raising regiments to defend the govern
ment 1t was necessary that tariff bill
to raise money to carry on the war
should be passed. and the Morrill, bill
was adopted. Through the North and
West loyal citizens volunteered to serve
TO put down the rebellion, until the az
gregate wac more than 100000 men.
The war progressed. The result II
known. But tho cost IN men
and money was great. Notwithstand-
ing the enormous expense Of the war,
the country returned to prosperous
at the close Of the conflict.
The debt has been paid as it became due
until now it has come to pass that there
is surplus in the treasury so vast that
some Of our politicians, with their well
known honesty, are afraid TO go to
Washington, fearing that they can not
keep their hands eff it.
The attempt 10 force free trade upon
us in 1888 is made at the dictate of
section OF the country which attempted
to destroy the Union in 1861. The Con
federate Congress that assembled a.
in the state OF Alabama,
adopted constitution March II, 1861
in which it was provi led that "no du
lies or taxes on impoItations from for
eign nations he laid to promote or foster
any branch of industry"
The Southern COnfedCracy was found
ed on human slavery aud free trade.
Don't you sec, they understood well
enough that slavery and manufacturing
could not exit side by SIDE
Human slavery cost a half million Of
lives, hut it went down under clash OF
arms that caused sorrow and misery in
nearly every household in Washington
county and in every Northern Sht"
When the political disabilities If the
are removed aud thy
come back to C0ngress. what do they
do They have attained the a'cendency
in power and arc row administering
this government. They now demand
that iree trade plutfoTm-wh,c CHI fell
with the Confpdriacy in 1S65-shall be
the platform OF the Democratic party Of
the United States. 1t is tho stairs of
The solid South against the North and
Wet.
/ with 20 makc une acknowledgment.
find before me Tonight many men
" no are here because my gallant friend
Gen. Curtis the hero OF Fort Fisher, is
here. have received letters and tele-
grams from veterans who are here to-
night and who have come as comrades,
and with Gen. Curtis to bid nae God
speed, | say to you, veterans, that there
are no politics about thus question. 1t
Is the issue OF 1861. You will either
stand by the flag OF the Union or you
will stand with the enemies Of the loyal
section of the Countrywide enemies OF
every industry Of the North. II Lees
army had been successful when it
into Pennsy lvania-had 1t not
been checked at Gettysburg-England
would have acknowledged the independ
ence Of the Southern Coniedsracy.
My friends, my veteran friends, this
is the same question you faced IN 1861.
| say to you tonight that there is moth
ing left for US TO do hut to stand shoul
der to shoulder and fight this battle out.
We have a gallant comrade at the head
Of the ticket nominated at Chicago. We
know we can trust him, and as far as
am concerned propose 10 stand in the
ranks with the comrades in whose ranks
| stood from 1861 to 1865, let the conse.
quences be to me what they will.