The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-06-02
Truths From a High Source

Truths From a High Source.
We have always maintained
that the system of Tariff protection
enriched the few at the expense of
the many, but our arguments have
been so continually met with the as
sertion that it was the laborer who
received the direct benefits of pro-
lection, that we had began to con-
clude that the Republican politician
actually believed what he said, but
recent developments have proved
that these vociferous protectionists
are not deceiving themselves, and
that their arguments are hollow
mockery. For twenty-five years
the G. o. p. has been able to main
tain itself in power by the influence
of Governmental patronage, and
such contributions to the campaign
fund as were voluntarily made.
Now however the situation is
changed and the managers find
themselves in such straits that they
are constrained to call upon the
beneficiaries of their policy for the
sinews of war, and in the letter of
James p. Foster, President the of
Republican league of the U. s. writ
ten from New York city on the %,
we find who the real beneficiaries
are. Mr.. Foster in his letter among
other things, says to the manufac-
| turers.
| democracy stands for free trade and
against your interests, and you know it, no
matter whether you have heretofore been a
Democrat or u Republican. High-sounding
platforms of words can not gainsay this fact,
nor fool you unless you wish to be fooled"
Again the letter proceeds.
1--WE will win this fight If you will do your
share and help us to finish what we have be-
gun; we want money and want 1t at once,
We are overwhelmed with calls for tariff
documents and for speakers and organizers.
We propose to organize and fight against free
trade in every doubtful Congressional and
Legislative district in the United States. To-
day there is but one majority in the Senate of
the United State when lines are drawn be-
tween Democrats and Republicans, and un-
less much is done the next Congress will see n
free trade House, Senate and President, and
then good-by to your prosperity.
1t may not be of your personal knowledge,
but it is u fact nevertheless, that the manu-
facturers ofthe United States who are most
benefited by our tariff laws have been the
least willing to contribute to the success of
the party which gave them protection, and
which is about to engage in n life and death
struggle with free trade.
A Republican United States Senator, from
a State which never had Democratic repre-
sentative in either House of Congress or n
Democratic State officer, in speaking of the
well-known disposition of the manufacture
ing interest to lock up It's money, fold its
hands and look on while somebody else fights
for Its success, says:
"The campaign which we are about to en-
ter will concern, more than anybody else, the
manufacturer of this country. They have
heretofore been very laggered in their contri-
buttons to the Republican cause. In fact, If
cause of protection itself, l would consgn
them to the hottest place could think af on
account of their craven parsimony. If this
class of people do not care to contribute to
the success of the Republican party, they are
welcome to try their chances under Demo-
cratic administration: can stand 1t as long
as they can." And again: ~ was solicited
TO contribute to a protective tariff league, and
I raOlipd nj ~ n nf fant pf ha
United States in their associated capacity
were an eleemosynary Institution that
would vote to give them pension, bu t that l
did not propose myself to contribute money
to advance the interests of men who were
getting practically the sole benefit, rat least
the most directly important benefits of tho
tariff laws. lam In favor of protection: not
precisely the kind we are having, but might
be willing to keep even that rather than not
to have any, but ! am sure ! can get along
without any of 1t quite as well AZ the manus
facturers can; and II they think the Republi-
can party Is going to maintain II high protec-
tive corps for their benefit, and that the men
who do the work In that party are going to
keep up the expenses of a campaign out OF
their own pockets, leaving them to reap the
fruits Of the tariff policy without any deduc-
tion for political expenses, they are very
gr atty mistaken. ! understand that In q
general way the manufacturers of New Eng
land have been more liberal In their contri-
button than those Of Pennsylvania.
In factI have 1t from the best possible
source that the manufacturers of Pennsylva'
MIA, who are more highly protected than any
body else, and who make large fortunes ev'
cry year when times are prosperous, practic'
ally give nothing toward the maintainancs
of the ascendency Of the Republican party
or course shall not violate what consider
TO 10 q proper principle of action, but II I had
my way about 1t would PVT tho manafac