The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-08-30

ton of wealth. The annual production. which
is of the results of labor, is being constant
ly divided into four parts rents to the landlord
Interest to the money lender profits to the bust
ness man, and wages to the laborer. Now If
the wages be low, it must be because the annual
product is small and all classes suffer, or be-
cause that product is unfairly distributed In
general the latter is the case, and when WageE
are very low the laborer gets but bare subsist-
ence, while the other class, or some of them ac-
cumulate enormous wealth. And thus society
becomes divided into the very rich and the very
poor That this Is an unfortunate condition for
the country is too obvious to need remark And
that this tendency is peculiar to tree institu-
tions, as well as the material comfort of the
people, is undoubtedly true. / have therefore
no sympathy for the cry for cheap labor and
low wages. They may give rise, it is true, to
great public works and magnificent structures
but the benefit is gained at the expense of a
suffering people. The pyramids are striking
monuments of the pride and ostentation Of
Kings, but they are more striking evidences of a
degraded condition of the laboring class. That
country is likely to be the most free and happy
where ihe annual PrGdo69n OF Teatn being
Judge Thurman (continuing)-Those, my
My Opinions Eighteen Years Ago,
And every day has served to verify their cor
Tectness. They are my opinions to-day and I
me. [Great applausel If / know myself. there
is no man on the top of this earth who has
more sympathy for the laboring man, or the
man of humble condition, than 1 have [pro-
longed cheering1 and whatever could do to
better their condition 1 would do. More ap-
plause And 1t is because do not believe for
one moment that this high protective tariff
which is so much lauded and which is insisted
tS ny our political opponents is for the oenent OF
why am opposed to such onerous duties. lCon-
tinued applause.l
tective tariff the agricultural interests of the
country have fallen off enormously; that the
value of farms have increased during the de-
cade from 1870 to 1880 at the rate of only per
cent, as compared with 100 per cent, during q
period when there was low tariff. Gentle:
men, il you will look at the commerce Of
the country you will find something
Even More Striking Than That.
Inc day was, and not a great while ago, when
the commerce of the world; that is, carried the
trade of the world. They were Great Britain
and the United States and we were gaining SO
20 and so per cent, if my memory
A yoice-"EightY-three per cent?
Judge Thurman-Eightythree per cent my
friend says behind me- of the carrying freight
of the world, whereas now We carry, If my
memory is not at fault only about II per cent.
casion few years ago to visit Europe and 1
felt humiliated. found that in crossing the
Atlantic and re'crossing it, and in the ports Of
Europe never but once saw the American flag
on the mast of ship, never but once and that
was ship that was engaged in carrying pas
sengers and the flag of Great Britain was on
one end of her and the American flag on the
other. Laughter
Now, the friends of high protective tariff say
that 1t tends to diversity labor and that diversi
fed labor is good for the country. Well,
You Admit the General Proposition.
When was boy we used to have for old
fashioned Fourth of July dinners toast to
agriculture, manufacture and commerce"
These are diversified industries. They all
ought to prosper in free country like this.
Manufacturers have to a great extent prospered.
Agriculture has terribly declined, and commerce
with foreign nations has nearly disappeared. 1
think it is time we had diversified labor in
which all our people, our sailors and manufac-
turers, and the laboring men as well as the cap
italist should thrive and prosper.
And now, my friends, will conclude what 1
have to say to you. You have been very at
tentive, for which thank you. hope what
have said may give you some occasion for re-
Election, and may lead you TO support that
grand party which was founded by jefferson,
defended by jackson, and has prospered under
Grover Cleveland. LGreat applanse.