Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-09-28

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! theft, ceases. L prefer that America
should be a land of workers, rather
than land of thieves and paupers.
What is true of the individual is
equally true of the nation. The pri-
mary elements of national wealth and
national prosperity are production,
distribution, and consumption.
Whatever affects the power of labor
to consume, affects the entire interests
Of the nation. Whatever lowers wa
ges of labor, affects his power to con
sumo. An average reduction" of z
per cent on the cost of goods import
ed will not compensate American la
Dor for the loss Of 100 per cent in
wages in the lines affected and from
100 to so per centum in wages in the
lines of employment by the substitu-
ton of the free trade for the protec-
tive system. L hold it to be far wiser
craftsmanship to build up and retain
our home market by a system that
protects Americans than to command
a market in foreign lands secured by
the wholesale degradation and pau
perism Of our people. Every dollars
worth OF labor value imported Is bv
so much a reduction Of home labor
ers' wages This is not offset by the
declaration that there are more goods
in the imported dollars worth. The
position Of the protectionist is rather
strengthened by such a special pres
entation Of the matter, because the
question is then instantly forced up
on every intelligent man, how can
American labor earn dollars if the
industry in which he is experienced
IS transferred to foreign lands? The
theory of protection advocated by the
Republican party is the same as the
underlying principle upon which all
labor organizations are founded. A
friend Of organized labor that believes
in organization as a means to en-
nance and maintain wages can't con
slstently oppose a party that applies
to all labor the same principle Of pro
lection from unfair competition that
the Individual trade organization
gives to the single trade. Trade Or
CARNATIONS do aid in advancing wa
ges in their respective trades, and the
protective system demanded by the
Republican party will secure for all
the toilers in the land a similar fos-
/ tering care. That this is clearly I'm
derstood by most of the thinking
leaders of organized labor is proved
by the declaration recently made in
favor Of the American system and a
home market by the presiding officers
Of the organizations representing the
iron and glass industries of the
United States. There is no better or
ganizatiOn Of any one trade than the
Amalgamated Association Of Iron and
Steel Workers. There is no trade
more thoroughly organized or better
disciplined than that Of the window
glass workers, nor one in which high
er wages are paid. The warnings Of
the officers representing these trades
against free trade are very signif-
cant and should be needed. A care
full consideration of all these facts
convince me that the present is a
grave crisis in the political affairs Of
our country, and that I have no
thought to remain silent. My posi-
ton as general secretary Of the
Knights Of Labor has given me an
intimate knowledge of the various
phases Of the labor question, and
from the knowledge thus gained I do
not hesitate to say that the triumph
Of the Democratic party, dominated
/ by the intolerance In the South and
/ the British free trade sentiment in
the North, would be the most serious
blow to organized labor it could pos
sibIy receive. I can't remain inactive
/ IN such a conflict Therefore to you
! and your associates on the National
Republican Committee, as the rep
/ resentatives Of the Republican party,
1 offer my services In any position or
/ capacity where they may be desirable
or be thought most helpful to aid In
J the success Of Harrison and Morton.
/ the representative in this campaign
Of the American idea Of protection to
/ American labor. I have the honor to
+ remain Yours to command.
CHAs. H LITCHlEAN.
! Alloy, Captain! Some of the