The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-01-12
sena tor sherman's Speech.

We publish on the LIST page of the V1R-
aINIAN synopsis of the speech delivered
in the Senate last week by Senator
Sherman, in review of the Presidents
message. 1t is mastery presenta-
ton Of the American doctrine OF pro-
tecsian. and q severe exposure of the
scpnlsiry of free trade. 1t is true that the
President scouts the idea that free trade
is supported III his message and Demo
Gratis deny that they are free traders. 70
what extent this denial is to be accepted
as literally true is immaterial. The fact
remains that the views of Mr.. Sherman
and ne Republicans are presented from a
proc elton standpoint, and the arguments
Of I'll President and the great majority of
the Democr ITS find their source in the
free trade dogma. It is really. therefore,
an issue that has been joined between
Protection to American industries and
American labor, and the principle OF free
trade with foreign countries, which would
be destructive TO these industries. Mr..
Sherman. representing the Republican
theory and position. and MIR. Cleveland
speaking for the Democracy and the pol
icy favored by that party, i'll the Morrison
tariff bills in the election of Speaker, and
the selection of the Chairman OF the
Committee on Ways and Means. draw
the lines distinctly between the two par
ties. Protestations and explanations can
not obscure the issue thus presented 1t
is one in which the great mass of the peo-
pie Of this country are directly interested,
fer it duplicates every ramilication OF la
Dor and every branch of business.
Mr.. Sherman has presented the Repub-
lican sile Of the question with great abil-
ity and perspicuity, while Mr.. Voorhees,,
"a what he thinks is reply, confines him.
self TO loose denials, passionate appeals,
and threadbare platitudes, without reach
iag The fundamental principle involved,
Tap discussion may be said to open the
Presidential campaign and outline the
| arrange ment of parties and the formula
ton Of platforms. Mr.. Cleveland has
made his own platform and cannot escape
from the responsibility it carries, nor di-
vert the popular mind from careful con-
sideration of it, by an affected apprehen-
sion of financial confusion and business
disaster The remarkable fact that an
annual message from the President should
discuss only the single subject of the tar
if, or revenue policy, and emphasize the
danger which threatens the country in the
increasing surplus in the treasury, will
not confuse the public mind. or relieve
from responsibility the party that has
brought about these conditions. 1t has
the appearance Of an attempt to shock and
frighten the people into aD approval OF the
policy suggested i'll the message as the
only remedy for the evils that exist, and
t do this upon an impulse, and not after
deliberate consideration.
But Mr.. Sherman's speech exposes this
device and demonstrates that even with
th 2 President the situation cannot be so
desperate, or he would have called an ex-
ira session to enact such legislation as
would meet the emergency. The fact is,
Mr.. Sherman shows that the adm inistra-
ton has failed to exercise the power the
law gives to protect the treasury from
plethora. and relieve the business of the
country FROM the strain that the extraord
mary accumulation OF revenue. with
drawn from the channels Of trade. has
brought about. 1t is demonstrated ineapac-
ity, which is 10 blame more than anything
else and to this fact the attention of the
people has been directed by the mastery
speech of the Ohio Senator.
Mr.. w. G. Horne, of Southwest Vir-
ginia sold six acres of cabbage recently
for 1925.