Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1888-09-07
FOR ytCE-TEEsiDENT:
LEVI p. MORTON,
Of New York
FOR HARRISON and PROTECTION

The General Secretary Of the Knight,
Of Labor, Charles II. Litchman, 10 a re-
cent letter to Chairman Quay, Of the
National Republican Committee, an
nonnced that he had rendered his resig-
nation as secretary Of that order. aud
offered his services for the campaign in
behalf Of Harrison and Morton The
knights Of Labor are composed Of mem
bers Of both Of the great political parties
and does not as an order, take part in
political meetings, nor does it favor any
political organization, but leaves It's mem
bers free to act for themselves on qnes
tions Of politics. 1t is known however
that large numbers Of them favor pro-
faction as defined by the Republican par
ty, while numbers Of others are on the
fence so to speak, in reference to their
course during the present campaign.
This action of Mr.. Litchman in dccar-
ing 10 favor of Harrison, will have great
weight with the latter class We ex-
tract the following from his letter: "Tbe
conflict is between the American system
as represented by the Republican party
which would foster and encourage the
labor Of our own people and retain for
them the market and wages Of our own
country and the British system, as rep
resented by the Democratic party, which
would break down the barriers ofpro-
lection and throw open our home market
to the productions of foreign factories
and foreign labor, thus making idle our
own toiers and reducing TO lower level
the standard of American wages. -
When the Knights of Labor and kindred
organizations shall have obtained in for
rign lands the same commanding posi-
tlon aud influence enjoyed in the United
SIa,.s. the inegn,G.. Of MaaS-.xill d.,
appear. not by leveliing our wages Gown,
but by dwelling their wages up. 1t is
fnr better to level up than to level down,
as the larger the income the larger the
rover to consume. While under free
trade. goods may be cheaper to the con
sumner in certain lines, labor made IDLE
in those lines must turn to other means
of employment, and thus, by competition
compel lower rate of wages to those al
ready employed therein. The power OF
workiugman to consume depends upon
what he receives for his labor l'nem-
ployed, his power to consume, except on
charity or theft, ceases prefer that
America should be land Of workers
rather than land of thieves and pau
pers. What is true of individuals is
equally true Of the nation. The pri-
mary clements of national wealth and
national prosperity are production, dis
trbution, and consumption. Whatevcr
affects the power of labor to consume
affects the entire interests Of the nation.
Whatever lowers the wages of labor af-
fccts its power to consume. An aver
aye reduction of seven per centum on
the cost of goods imported will not com
pensate American labor for the loss Of
one hundred p, contum in wages in the
lines affected, and of from ten to fifty
per ccntum in wages in The lines Of en-
ploymcnt by the substitution of the free
trade for the protection system. hold II
IL he far wiser craftsmanship to Guild up
and retain our home market by system
that protects American labor, than tC
command a market in foreign lands Sc
cured by the wholesale degradation and
pauporization of our own people"