Wichita eagle., 1888-08-26

OcttlOpulCnt, dIlQ ItS ucos 11CC a1U lar
monious progress. On any other line Of
policy foreign country like England, ter
ritorially small, but densely peopled, whose
workren expect only very low wages, and
whose factories, cheaply erected, long ex-
isting. are all relatively near the seaboard,
will always be able to underseil Americans
in their own markets, thus hindering the
development and limiting the range of their
proper industries. have never, therefore,
been what is called ''free trader" and in
all probability shall never become one The
policy of protection, which our fathers in
itiated almost hundred years ago, COM
mends itself to me as essentially wise; and
can not vote for any party, or any candi-
date, by whom tariff laws are regarded as
an lneouitable scheme, permitting tax TO
to be laid upon every community In the land
for the benefit Of manufacturers, and add
ing the amount Of the duty to the cost of
living in every home.
This does not at all imply, however, that
the tariff, as at present existing among US
appears to me the fair and final thing which
the Chicago platform seems implicitly to as
sumo it to be. On the other hand, regard
it as at many points defective and injurious,
needing prompt and careful revision, and a
wise readjuscment. Such REIMBURSEMENT
must be always in order where tariff has
long continued unchanged. Obviously,
when domestic manufactures, which at first
needed to be protected, have received that
protection till they have become self-sus-
tanning, and self-sustaining oncthe basis Of
fair American wages. the duties on the
similar foreign products may be gradually
lowered, to the present relief Of purchasers,
and without peril to the life OF our own il
dustries.
Ihave always hitherto understood this to
be the conviction Of the Republican party.
1t has certainly been expressed good many
times in the platforms and the action Of
that party; and unless this is now and
hereafter to be its policy, see not how it
can fairly claim to be friendly, not only to
specific domestic manufactures, but to gen.
eral industrial development in the country,
and to that magnificent interest of interna-
tional commerce which has to do with the
welfare of the world. But if tariff is ever
to need readiustment, it seems to NE that
ours now does. It was adopted primarily
as war measure more than a score of
years ago. Under the policy which had
preceded it, which had imposed far lower
taxes on imports, the part Of the Nation
which was chiefly benefited had grown rich
and powerful, ready to confront and strong
to subdue q tremendous rebellion. The
war tariff was, no doubt, expedient in its
time; but see not why we should go on
with it indefinitely, any more than why a
soldier Of the war should still carry his
musket to workshop or field, or an officer of
artillery INSIST on Juggling part of his bat
terry 20 lecture, church, or social party.
at the same time, however, in view OF
the majestic history of the party, its noble
achievements, and its faithfulness to fun
damental National interests, when they
have been terriically imperiled, ! wait to
see if such a revision Of the tariff as ap-
pears to me demanded-rnade by those
friendly to the principle of protection, and
seeking to maintain this by equitably apply
ing twill not be accepted by the party as
a near and an imperative duty. If it shall
not be, 1 can only say that l have greatly
overrated both the general sagacity of the
party and the trained instinct of states
manship in its leaders, or else have greatly
moderated the pressure upon it from
monopolies and trusts" That such re-
vision of the tariff is sure to come. either
through the Republican party or against
and over it, | have 10 manner of doubt.
At the same time practical results are the
pOl ioIC III tCiit4eo oli-iek tiiO
currents and counter-currents of trade and
politics swirling around US, remembering
that platforms exercise no despotic control
over the intelligent life of a party, am
still earnestly disposed to feel that the Ma
tional welfare VIII be more likely to be
advanced, on the lines which commend
themselves to me, if the Republican candi-
dates shall be elected in November. To
stand thus in INDEPENDENCE of ones own
party while not joining the other, is
situation which has disadvantages; but it
has also its own freedom of outlook, its
pleasant sense of relationship to other minds
holding substantially q similar position,
perhaps its own opportunities of good in
f1uence.
| am quite content with it, while holding
my mind still open for further light, of which
g the woods" give no end of chances. Ever
faithfully yours, r. S. SToRRs.
Mr. HENRY c. Bowen