Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-08-25

years ago. and every day has served TO YER
ify their correctness. They are my opin-
ions to-day, and have no doubt will be a
long IS I have life. Great applause ]
II know myself, there is no man ON the
top of this earth who has more sympathy
for the laboring men or the man Of humble
condition than / have, Prolonged APP
plause, and whatever l could do to better
their condition would do. Moro sp-
plause And il is because do not believe
for one moment that this high protective
tariff, which is 90 much landed, and which
is insisted upon by our political opponents
is for the benefit Of the laboring man.
That is one of the reasons wby am OPP
posed to such onerous dutiea CONTINUED
applause.
DECAY OF COMMERCE.
have shown you that under this high
protective tariff the agricultural interests
of the country have fallen off enormously,
that the value of farms has increased dur.
ing the decade from 1870 tn 1880 ut the
rate of only 8 per cent, As compared with
100 per cent during q period when there
was low tariff. Gentlemen, If you will
look at the commerce of the country you
will find something even more striking
than that. The day was, and not great
while sgo, when there were two countries
that substantially did the commerce Of
the world, that is, carried the trade of the
world. These were Great Britain and the
United States, and we were gaining 50 last
upon Great Britain that We carried be-
tween 20 and 80 per cent, if my MEM
ory-
A voice-Eighty-three per cent
Judge Thurman-Eighty-t three per cent.
my friend says behind me, Of the carrying
freight Of the world, whereas now we carry,
if my memory ID not at fault, only about
fourteen per cent. Now, why is that
Why, gentlenen, I had occasion q few
years ago to visit Europe. and l felt humil-
lated. found that in crossing the Attain
tic aud recrossing, and in the ports Of
Europe never but once saw the American
flag on the mast of ship, never but once,
and that was . ship that was engaged in
carrying passengers, and the flag Of
Great Britain was at ona end OF
her and the American flag at the
other. Laughter. Now, the friends oil
high protective tariff say that it tends 10
diversity labor, and that diversified labor
Is good for the country. Well, you may
admit the general proposition. When j
was boy we used to have for old fashion
ed Fourth of July dinners toast to
Agriculture, manufacture and commerce"
Theee are diversified industries. They all
ought to prosper in frGe country like
this. Manufacturers have to great ex-
tent prospered. Agriculture has terribly
declined, and commerce with foreign ma
tions has nearly disappeared. l think
that il ia time we had diversified labor, in
which all our people, our sailors and
farmers, as we'll rs our manufacturers and
the laboripg men, as well as the capital
ists, should thrive and prosper.
And now my friends l will conclude
what I have to say to you. You have
been very attentive, for which l thank
you. l hope what have said may give
you some occasion for reflection, and may
lead you to support that grand party
which was founded by jefferson, defended
by jackson and has prospered under
Grover Cleveland. Great applause.