Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-10-25
CHEAP Lluaa AND CHEAP MEN.

LftSN F0ftN.
The Free Trade advocates, CLEyE-
LAND and THURMAN down 10 the
smallest parrot organ of the Admins
tration, wax eloquent over the advan-
tages that would accrue from policy
which would insure cheap food, cheap
clothing, and cheap comforts II the
people. They boil over with righteous
indignation when they contemplate the
rextortiop' of our high-prieed manu-.
factnrers and the "enormous profits
which they rear from the enterprises
in which they are engaged and give
employment to millions Of people,
Mr.. THURMAN in his speeches in
this campaign before he collapsed was
especially positive IN his declarations
that The greater cheapness Of living in
Europe fully made up for the difference
in the rates Of wages, or, in other words
the wage worker or mechanic is prac-
iically as well off in Europe as he is 10
America.
The mode Of reasoning by which this
extraordinary conclusion is reached
takes no note of the constant tide Of
working people from all parts Of the
earth coming to America in search Of
better conditions and constantly send
ing home for their friends and families
10 share their prosperity.
1t does not condescenI TO note the
contrast between the educated, intelli-
gent, and independent citizcn-labor Of
America and the stolid. illiterate, and
debased subject-laboe Of Europe which
comes in neyer-ending hosts TO COM
pete.
ltpays no attention to the laudable
and unresirained ambition and the high
standard of civilization which distin-
guishes The American wage worker from
his European competitors. nor is it con
cerned about sustaining or encouraging
that superiority.
II entirely ignores the different sur
roundipgs Of the American work man's
home fpom thoss found abroad tie
well-dressed and educated children, the
many evidences Of home comfort, the
independence, the selfassertion and
self-respect, the fearless ningling in
the affairs of the nation. the constant
elevation from the ranks of labor to
high positions of responsibility, the
numbers Of wage workers found in the
halls of the National and State Legisla-
lures and in all the Offices of municipal
goYernment--conditioAs almost I'M
known in transatlantic nations.
Not these considerations are not
deemed worthy Of moments reflection
by the worshipers Of aristocracy and
those whose early training has aecus-
tened them TO regard human labor as
chattels to be bought and soil, and
controlled BY the lash and whipping
post. The Southern ex-Slave-driver
and the Engiish-aping Mugwump have
always manifested an intense pr, ju lice
against the aspirations Of free Ameri-
can labor, but, happily, their prejudices
10 not reflect the conscience of Tie
American people. They and their
standard bearers in this campaign
reason that they are being wronged
when they are called upon to pay more
for labor or lis products at home than
the prices paid in Europe. They care
not who may suffer, provided they have
cheap comforts and cheap labor. I'm
fortunately for them, but happily for
the country, they CANNOT secure the free
importation of the cheap foreign goods
without the consent of the American
wage-workers themselves, and in order
to secure that consent they are endeav-
oring TO pursuadc the citizen workmen
Of this country that they would be as