The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-17
The Issue.
1h6 issue.
Edhor of tha lndIanarnlia Lournal.

To the EdAor Of the indianapolis Journal:
Every possible effort Is now being made by
Democratic speakers and newspapers TO obscure
the issue bstweod the two leading parties, and
yet that great issue is as plain as . turnpike
road to all who wish to know the truth. The
whole purpose of the free-trade party 10 now TO
throw dust in the eyes Of ihs people, and gain
another victory by false pretenseG Governor
Hill. Of New York, denies that the Democratic
party is in favor Of free trade, and claims that
It's real position lie misrepressnted. But where
are we to 60 TO learn the purposes Of the party
except to the declarations Of its known and
recognized leadsrs} AS early as 1856 Mr. Man
ming, then Secretary OF tho Treasury under Mr..
Cleveland, in his official report said:
The true ground OF choice among articles suitable
for taxation tariff is not the circumstance that they
are produced az home or imported from abroad. . q
The true ground is that among all articles thus
consumed within our own borders, some are better
suited for an equitable taxation tariff than others.
They are universally consumed, like sugar. or easily
identified, like coffee. or their consumption may be
safely impeded ike distilled spirits or fes.neDtel
liquors, or tobacco"
Hereis a programme marked out by Secretary
Manning two years ago; AID every idea 10 IL 10
in perfect harmony with the teachings OF the
Golden Club and the ENGLISH government IL
Is exactly such n policy IS England would i'm
pose upon US for her own advantage If she had
control of our affairs. 10 levying duties we are
10 pay no attention whatever TO tho circum-
stance that o given article 10 made
a. homo or imported from abroad.
In other words, the idea Of so laying duties on
foreign importations as 10 benefit home manu-
features is TO be entirely discarded. We are to
have regard only to the revenue needed, and
duties are TO be LEVIED only on such articles "a
sugar. coffee, spirits, etc. And now has not
this programme been followed as far az the
party leaders thought they dared to follow it at
the present timei Mr.. Manning here gives the
true reason why sugar 10 taxed by the Miils
bill 6S per cent. But you cannot get Demo
cratic speakers, since the Oregon election, 10
even attempt TO explain why sugar should be
taxed 6S per cent. 1t is o subject
they will not discuss before the masses
No reading man IN this country is SO stupid as
net to know that the policy here foreshadowsd
policy OF Great Britain. In fact, the tariff
schedule suggested by Mr.. Manning is the Brit
ish schedule-suRar, coffee. spirits. etc. That
the Democratic party, led by the Sonth, Is aim
can doubt. 1t rs plainly al attempt to put into
an act Of Congress what was put into the con-
federAte constitution, to-wit, a total prohibition
of the policy of protection and the substitution
OF free trade. And that the suggestion to es-
tablish this policy in the United States came
originally from England is as plain as the nose
on n mans face. II Is the very policy that
England has been urging on all other nations
for forty years, not, however, Tor their advan-
tage, bat for her own
The prosperity Of England this day is threat
eped with destruction for the lack of markets 10
which 20 sell her manufactures. She lives on
manufacturing. Take away from her her great
manufacturing industries and she IL nothing.
Robert Mackenzie, q talented E~uglishman, has
recently written a book entitled 1.-The Nine
tsenth Century. A History. The Times of Queen
Victoria" ETC., from which 70 take the follow
ing quotations: 'During recent years some doubt
has begun to be entertained in regard to tho
perinanence OF the industrial supremacy which
Britain gained SO rapidly. 1t
is impossible TO deny that there ara
aspects of our Industrial position we'll
fitted to awaken anxiety 10 regard to the future.
Our industrial emineuce is in great measure the
result of certain British Inventions. of which We
were able to make large use. We held
for many years q virtual monopoly OF the me-
chenical appliances essential to industrial great
ness. We mado a vigorous uss of our advan-
tsgss; our commodities were cheap and good
and the world was satisfied TO accept its supplies
from us. We assumed IL would always be so,
and upon this theory We have accumulated on
these islands vast aggregates of machinery and
laborers, for whom there could not possibly be
found employment If foreign countries should
undertake to manufacture for the supply OF
their own wauts.n
We find here the powerful temptation under
which England is laboring to secure tho opening
Of foreign ports to her manufactures. To have
1.-THE barriers against foreign imporiations taken
down" as advocated by Mr.. Mills 10 the House
on the l7th of April last, and to let in a food Of
foreign goods, is the one thing above all others
that English statesmen aud English manutac-
turers are striving TO have ACCOMPLISHED. And
that We have men in this country. pretending TO
be American statesmen, who are willing to play
into their hands in a game to build up their own
industries and destroy ours, should bring q
blush to every patriots cheek. Their conduct
is as shameful as the treason Of Benedict Ar
mold. and no less a blow at the Nation than the
firing on Fort Sumter in 1861.
CR-AwFORDSvILLE, Ind. p. S. KENNEDY.