The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1888-09-29
and Of tho Republican party up to a YER, r.

y
cent period.
"Its success ut the polls can not destroy
| tariff reform, but 1t will delay It and convulse
the country for an indefinite time to the detrt-
ment OF other reforms 1t will continue sys-
| tenn of robbery which the farmers can not much
longer endure. Tariff reform Republicans now
race an exfgency which taxes to the utmost
| their wisdom and courage and faithfulness to
! principle. 1t seems to be plain that they must
| refuse 10 support the doings OF the Chicago
convention. The majority OF Republican tariff
reformers will be averse to identifying them
selves with the Democratic party, though that
party at this juncture, in its platform at st,
Louis and doings in Congress, substantially
represents their views. 1t seems TO me to be
desirable that there shall be some public con-
sultation on the part of such Republicans to de-
eide what action they will take to sustain
their principles. II that decision should be to
| support Mr.. Cleveland, the purpose OF such
support could be publicly made known. In the
several Congressional d stricts Of Illinois, and
| think OF the West generally, there should be
found practicable way for all tariff reformers,
| OF whatever party, to combine In supporting .
| tar n reform candidate.
II view with great apprehension the fact
that the late Chicago convention was so com
| pletely onicered and controlled by the great
monopolies 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 anti-monop-
| 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-.
l can party in Bureau County in 1854. and never
! from that time till now voted for any candidate
for ONCE but Republican. But I regard
| principle as above party, and party as means
| TO carry out principles. can not regard the
| late Chicago convention as Republican. In all
| its essential features 1t was q convention Of
classes and monopolists."
when you tell your Republican friends this,
what do they say."
~ am sonnet mes asked when met with my
change Of opinion. I reply: have not
changed. One year ago, say to my Repu bic
an qusstioner. you were with me for retaining
the taxes on spirits and tobacco, and for max
ing the reduction of National taxes on the nec-
essaries of life. know of no Republican who
then dissenied from this proposition. You we're
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 twinlxling Of an eye. You accuse me of
changel II you will study your own case you
will see where the change comes in.
IF the occasion called for il could shout as
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 tree 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, Mormonism and the public lands,
making no reference whatever to the tariff.
The platform on VIII ch Mr.. Lincoln was nomi-
mated in 1850 was slightly injected with Incl
dental protection to please Pennsylvania. The
Republicans In Congress in 1883 even those from
Massachusetts. joined the Democrats in reduc-
ing the tariff. conforming to the principle OF q
tariff for revenue. The Republican platform Of
1854 made no reference to the tariff. From that
time up to the last Chicago convention, the dec
larations in regard to the tar d were moderate
and constant in favoring q reduction of the war
tariff Mr. Garfield did not lose his standing a.
Republican by declaring in speech in Con-
gress that he was for that kind Of protection
which led to free trade.
The high tariff1tes claim that the system of
protection commenced under Washington's
Administration That tariff, however, averaged
but per cent, and up to the war Of 1912 IL did
not reach Is 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 1843 Mr.. Clay declared that
the doctrine Of protection was temporary ex-
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 laborery'
II think that In no case within my knowledge
does it increase the laborer's pay. The high
tariff has tended strongly to derange 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 mill-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 high tariff as pro-
lection for American labor really means q high
tariff to project monopoly"
"As between the St Louis and Chicago plat
forms which do you intend to supportr'
"The Chicago platform clearly demands .
continuance OF the tax upon farmers to give
bounties to the manufacturers. The ST. Louis
platform, on the contrary, demands such q 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 way in this emergency
by which they can give 1t their earnest sup
port. Person ally. 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
great principle, aud when principle is at
stake shall be true to my convictions. This
year, to be consistent, must indorse by ballot,
pen ana voice, the platform of the ST. Louis
convention 7Sskifsoa tli.) Cor. Chicago Herald.
~s