Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-10

AS we approach HOrudnQ the NaiioS
begins to widen, the pines and cedars
are higher and mightier and then the
face of nature softens into grand green
meadows, great wheat fields. farms,
orchards, pastures and then Portland,
and very handsome city 1t is. The
distance from Portland to TocCma, 145
miles. was made at night, so | cannot
describe the country we passed through.
W. Fl. GRATLAN.
CLEVELAND ELECTED UNDER FALSE
PRETBNSES.
Free Trade Against Our Shipping. In
terests as Well as the Laborers.
To the Editor OF the Eagle
Nearly four years ago we were assured
by the spokesman of the Democratic
party, that consistent protectionist
could vote for Mr.. Cleveland as logically
as for Mr.. Blaine. We We're assured
that there was no danger to the tariff
from the party of Randall the great pro-
tectionist Even Cleveland assured us
that president was a mere executive
officer; and consequently did not in
fluence legislation. Time has proved
that these assertions We're so many false
hoods, published for the purpose of
catching votes. Judging from the legis-
lation of the last two years. who VIII
have the hardihood to deny that Cleve-
land was elected under false pretenses?
When he succeeded in winning the
election by these tactics, he threw off all
disguise and let it be known, that any
Democrat who would refuse to vote for
the Morrison bill need not expect any
favOrs from the administration. The
same policy is being pursued today in
regard to the Mills bill. But Mills of
Texas, as chairman of the ways and
means committee Outherods Herod when
he Indignantly refused to hear COM
mittee of workinginen who came to
Washington to protest against his new
tariff bill, which if it should become a
law, would imperil the daily bread of
millions of American worEmen.
These workmen may thank God that
there is stll a Republican senate. The
south still controls the Democratic party
as it did before the war and wishes now.
as well as in 1885 to annihilate the very
right of petition. Next November Mills,
of Texas, and others like him, will
awake from their dreaming to find that
workingnien have long memories.
Those who favor free trade under the
guiSe of revenue reform point TO the con-
dition Of our shipping, which they say
protection has driven from the high seas.
If we candidly examine this question we
will find that it is free trade that is to
blame. After the revolution we foOlishly
adopted the principles of free trade III all
things, even in ships, and it brought
poverty, rebellion and misery to the peo-
pie. There was no money in circulation.
Even the gold with which the French
troops were paid disappeared
and took fight to Europe
to pay for goods which should
have beer manufactured at home. The
United States were then the poorest
country in the world. In 1889 the Amer
leans adopted their first tariff, and placed
an added duty of 10 per cent on all goods
not imported in American ships
Under this protection ship building re-
vived as might have been expected, Civ
ing employment to thousands The in
ventive genius of Americans had here a
wide field. The art of building a vessel
which offered the least resistance in NOV
ing through the waters was one of the
lost arts since the days of the Scandi-
navian sea-kings. This lost art was re-
discovered by the builders of the AnIeri-
can clippers. The true line which Of
fered least resistance in a sailing vessel
was used with the result that the fastest
and best clippers ever seen afiOat since
the old Vikings abandoned the seas,
came out of American ship yards.
In eighteen years after this policy Of
protection was begun, the annual con-
structiOn reached the enormsus amount
Of 10000 tons. Next came the war
with our old enemy, England, in 1912,
and the superiority of American sailors
and ships was was placed
beyond dispute by the remark
able fact that we captured three
times as many English ships as the
English captured from US. The truth Of
the matter Is. the American man-of-war
or merchantmen could readily sail away
from the strong but clumsy English pur-
suer. These American ships could also
be handled in close quarters with more
ease and precision. and the victories that
were then gained over the English were
as much due TO the skill Of our mechan-
les as 10 the valor Of our daring sailors
In all our wars against foreign or do
nestle foes. our hardy fishermen con-
tributed more than their share 10 the
navy. j fishing vessel Is in reality a
school in which our future sailors On
board OF man-of-@ar learn the rudi-
ments of their business. NOtwithstand-
ing their services to the country III times
Of danger. they are treated By this Dem
ocratic administration as If they were
pirates, having no flag 10 protect them
and having nc rights that a Canadian
blue nose Is bound - respect. After 40
years of protection 70 our shipping which
brings US down 70 iS29 statistics inform
Us that - per cent o. our imports and ex-
ports was carried IN American shius
differed and manned by American
citizens only. " hat wonder that Amer
leans then declared that they could b@at
the world in ship building. They con
staptiv improved on methods Of con-
ssVuclion until they had the satisfaction
OF beholdIng Their ships outssil the ships
Of everp other nationality. Then n a
moment Of national enthusiasm they
discarded the doctrine OF enthusiasm and
with a generosity seldom equaled opened
all cur ports 70 the ships Of ali nations on
exactly the same terms 81 20 oEr owH.
The results which followed this policy u
free trade viii BE- shown ID another letter
10 the EAG1-E Yours respectfully.
ONE OF TIE Macs.
Gien-Alary farm, Dela1o township,
April 3, 1857.