Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-07-26

sultation on the part of such Republicans TO de-
eide what action they will take to sustain
their principles. IT that decision should be to
support MIR. Cleveland, the purpose of such
support could be publicly made known. In the
several Congressional districts OF Illinois, and
think OF the West generally, there should be
found practicable way for all tariff refosmers,
Il whatever party, to combine in supporting
arin reform candidate.
II view with great apprehension the fact
that the late Chicago convention was so com
pletely of1cered and controlled by the great
monopoiies OF the country. There is nothing
less than the defeat of the Republican party
that can purge it Of this dangerous element
Its success would be the success of monopoly.
1 somewhat anticipate that real anrimonop-
oily party must be organized in the near future.
On all the principles which constituted the Re-
publican party in regard 10 slavery and the war
am as ardent as ever was. Were those is
sues present ones would be as Jealous in the
cause as ever. Ihelped to organize the Repub-
lean party in Bureau County in 1854, and never
from that time till now voted for any candidate
for office but a Republican. But regard
principle as above party, and party means
to carry out principles. can not regard the
late Chicago convention as Republican. In all
Its essential features it was convention OF
classes and monopolists.''
when you tell your Republican friends this,
what do they say:"
II am sometimes asked when met with my
Change of opinion. I reply: have not
changed. One year ago. I say to my Republic
an questioner. you were with me for retaining
the taxes on spirits and tobacco, and for max
ing the reduction OF National taxes ON the nee
essaries of life. L know of no Republican who
then dissented from this proposition. You were
with me six months ago. and two months ago.
and down to the time of the PRONUNCIATION OF
the Chicago platform. II you now indorse that
tariff plank, you must have changed almost in
the twinkling OF an eye. You accuse me of
change! II you will study your own case you
will see where the change comes in.
If the occasion called for it could shout
ardently as ever: Free soil. free speech and
free men, but do not expect that the high
tariff confederacy will ever induce me to shout
for free whisky and free tobacco.
"The National Republican party was formed
in Pittsburgh, in 1856, and the platform on
which Fremont was nominated related to
slavery, Mormonlsm and the public lands,
making no reference whatever to the tariff.
The platform on which MIR. Lincoln was nomi.
mated in 1850 was slightly injected with Incl
dental protection to please Pennsylvania The
Republicans in Congress in 1853 even those from
Massachusetts,, joined the Democrats in reduc-
ing the tariff, conforming to the principle OF
tariff for revenue. The Republican platform of
1884 made no reference to the tariff. From that
time up to the last Chicago convention, the dec
larations in regard to the tar were moderate
and constant in favoring reduction of the war
tariff Mr.. Garfield did not lose his standing as
Republican by declaring in his speech in Con-
greSS that he was for that kind OF protection
which led to free trade.
1.-The high tariffites claim that the system of
protection commenced under Washington's
Administration. That tariff, however, averaged
but per cent, and up to the war OF 1872 1T did
not reach 10 per cent. The war Of 1912 forced
into existence many manufacturing establish
ments. Henry Clay, with considerable pro-
priety, proposed to protect for time these in
FAINT enterprises. In 1S43 Mr.. Clay declared that
the doctrine of protection was temporary
pedient to protect infant industries which have
now grown mostly to maturity and would not
much longer require protection
"Does protection in any instance within your
knowledge increase the pay of the laborerT'
II think that in no case within my knowledge
does it increase the laborer's pay. The high
tariff has tended strongly to deraage labor by
stimulating into existence more establishments
than the country needed. Many of the strikes
and lockouts have been caused by the desire of
the mi1l-owners to stop production. The wages
OF labor are regulated by supply and demand,
the employers always seeking to hire at the
lowest price. The claim of a high tariff as pro-
lection for American labor really means high
tariff to protect monopoly"
LAS between the ST. Louis and Chicago plat
forms which do you intend to support?
1.-The Chicago platform clearly demands a
continuance OF the tax upon farmers to give
bounties to the manufacturers. The St Louis
platform, on the contrary, demands such a re-
form of the tariff as will give great relief to
agriculture. Unless farmers are willing from
partisan motives to vote that heavy and I'M
just burdens shall be imposed upon them, they
must vote down the Chicago platform. The
ST. Louis platform declares in the line OF the
interest of farmers and other consumers, and
there should be found a way in this emergency
by which they can give it their earnest sup
port. Personally believing Grover Cleveland
to be the foremost champion of the rights of
the people, shall support at the polls the
views he advanced in his brave message.
Grover Cleveland has grown in public estima-
ton, in ability and in character. He represents
a great prime pie, and when principle is at
stake shall be true to my convictions. This
year, to be consistent, must indorse by ballot,
pen and voice. the platform of the ST. Louis
YJsLs