The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-01-26
Out-Throat Harmony.

Inc progress Oh harmony IN Jne Demo
cratic party Is tagging. Should the Presi-
dent take 1t into his head to issue smother
manifesto in favor OF internal taxation and
| free trade harmony would blossom as a
very lively war Of the roses.
The Hobbies of Congress are not exempt
from the blue blazss with which the sage of
| Oak View is greeted by the average Randall
Democrat, who yearns for protection more
| than for postofiee. The programme is
varied by the chronic curses showered upon
Randall by the free-trsde contingent. 1t
becomes particularly interesting in variety
as the administration people go about
wishing all sorts Of harm to sold Joe
Brown and his moonshiners," and the Brown
men retort upon the Z" Carlisle whisky
| ring" who are "wrecking the Democratic
party" These are the passing pleasantries
of day at the capitol, and they serve to
give the onlooker very magnified idea Of
Democratic harmony.
It is pleasant to note that these ameni-
ties are not confined to Washington. Mr..
Carlisle Is booked for trip south to teach
free trade. Naturally it would be supposed
that he would be welcomed as solidly as
the south votes Democratic. 1t is grieveus
Protection is a spook which affrights the
average Bourbon, red rag which excites
him to madness; an intoxicant which takes
the place of reason. In the face of unpar-
alleled prosperity, in his eyes, protection
has ruined the country, and while he will
not vouchsafe to prove the ruin. It ought to
exist If 1t doesn't.
So, In the face OF figures that will not lie
figures that Democratic officials must fur
nisb, unless they suppress the statistics Of
commerce-the Bourbon has been satisfied
to charge protective tariff with the decline
of American shipping. The report of the
commissioner of navigation will startle the
few Democrats who will candidly read and
digest 1t. 1t is not an argument direct for
protection or for subsidies, but it shows by
figures that no steamship line can exist
against the repressive competition of the
subsidized European'lines unless 1t has the
aid of the government. The great monopo-
lies fostered by Great Britain and other
governments will crowd out any private
enterprise living alone upon Its merits.
This blight is not alone confined to the
shipping interest. 1t extends to the manu-
featuring and producing Interests all over
the country. The European monopolies
crowd out the American shipper that they
may control the currents of trade. Once
they get full control, they run their ships
in the interest of European trade and to the
inconvenience of American merchants. This
has been proved many times In our efforts
to establish commercial intercourse with
South America. The British shippers first
run our lines off the track and then estab-
lish freight rates and circuitous routes,
rendering it almost impossible for the
United States to trade in the markets where
our people have natural advantages.
1t becomes practical business PROPOSE
ton, whether we will suffer this harmful
condition to exist, or do something to
promote foreign trade which awaits our
pleasure. Something must be done to
help our merchant marine. Democratic
facts belle Democratic theories. and point
the only remedy. Congress ought to take
hold of this subject promptly, and treat it
In business-like way.