Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-09-12
BARRISON,S LETTER.

The country didn't expect much from General Harrison in his letter of accept ance, and it hasn't been disappointed. It was not expected that he would rise to the plane of statesmanship. and he didn't. His past career wasn't of the kind that statesmen lead, and his letter of acceptance will not suggest greater capacities than that career has already disclosed
 It was expected that General Harrison would revamp the republican bugaboo Of free trade, and he has done so, with the important qualification, however, that the democratic party has so far made only step in that direction. This appears to be contrary to the distinguished opinion ex- pressed by republican organs hereabouts that the democracy is already an exagger ated edition of Golden and Calhoun. liar risons fear is for the future, that ''the democratic party will, if supported by the country, place the tariff laws upon purely revenue basis.'' This fear is cheap dem- agogic platitude, and is unworthy the serious consideration of thinking men. The tariff laws of the country will not be placed upon purely revenue basis in our generation; if they ever are it will be be- cause of demonstrated results. No one : knows this better than General Harrison, and his cheap clap-trap will deceive no ) one. His promise that the tariff schedules may be revised and modified by his party, with an intelligent provision as to the eff feet upon domestic production and the wages of our working people, could be just as fairly dubbed free trade, for it diff fers not one whit from the position of Presi- , dent Cleveland and the democratic party 7 which he denounces as such. It is plain admission that the tariff is in need of re- form, and as such comedies the justice of the democratic policy. He admits the ex-
 istence of a surplus, but thinks it should . be used in the purchase of bonds, that is
 providing the surplus raiders whom he . would encourage leave any of it to be so
 employed.
 General Harrison's position on the trust - question, albeit directly contrary to that of
 Real Leader" Blaine, is in harmony with . President Clevelands, and his recommend
 stion of hostile legislation showsthat, unlike , Blaine he believes that trusts have place in 6
 national campaign. His policy of re-
 stricted markets, however, is favorable tc
 the growth and development of the very
 trusts he denounces. His hostility to the
 Chinese comes rather late, and, read ir :, the light of his past record (which, by the
 way, he is fond of referring to as an inde, - of his future course), will be accepted in { " Pickwickian sense. That public senti T ment has forced his conversion on tht
 Chinese question gives some hope tha ,' good may come out of Egypt after all. Hi - position in regard to imported contrac labor will be deemed somewhat demagogi, V by those who recall that republican con
 tractors and manufacturers have been th'
 chief offenders on this point His attitud
 in regard to the civil service, in the ligh of his past history and that of his party N will also fairly be taken as the clap-trap O T demagogue. N Taken altogether General Harrison =, letter is weak, shifting and disjointed
 When compared with the clear cut ant
 vigorous utterances of President Cleve - land it pales into insignifcance. Voter
 who realize that the tariff needs reforming
 that it's inequalities need readjustment
 will not subscribe to his policy of revisin ~ it in the direction of higher duties. Tn N democratic policy of free raw material
 and properly adjusted protection on man ' ufactured goods is more to their liking D' and they will endorse it at the polls i November
 General Harrison's letter has sounde his political doom.
 he