Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-09-14
POLITICAL COMMENT.
MFR. BIa,ue,s First Word.


remarkable feature OF his reception. No
American ever received q heartier o< more
impressive welcome on returning to his coun-
! try, aud none ever succeeded In putting him
self so quietly and contentedly In the back
ground. The tidings that 40. 900 republicans
had been marching the previous night In
honor of his coming must have fired the
blood even Of this veteran campaigner and
leader OF men, but while there was no lack OF
appreciation on his part OF the unprecedented
honors accorded 10 him, his first thoughts
were OF the gallant American soldier who had
passed away while he had been at sea. The
death OF Sheridan was the shadow darkening
the threshold OF the American home to which
he had returned; and he spoke OF IL with
profound emotion aud sympathy, putting out
OF mind the splendid tribute OF respect and
affection which he was himself receiving.
One graceful act OF self placement opened
the way for another. In the next breath he
was addressing. not the throng OF political
friends aud ardent admirers who had gathered
around him TO welcome him home, but the
toIling millions throughout the land, whose
welfare happiness and progress are iInperilled
by free-trade legislation. 1t VAS to them tn a /
his first words Of greetin and warning were
spoken, and repeated with even greater EN-
phssis In the more formal address OF the
evening.
Mr.. Blaine, like General Harrison, regards
the wage question as the core OF the tariff
controversy. Nine tenths OF our popula ton
are dependent on some form OF labor as
means of living. These wage-earuers thrive
and prosper as they have opportunity for EN-
ploy Protection bias aided them by
multiplying aud dversfying industries aud
by rendering their labor remunerative. Free
trade will stimulate the foreign supply and
restrict the home demand for labor. IL will
depress wages and deprive thousands OF
American working people OF employment.
This is the living issue In politics to-day, and
II concerns the great mass Of workers whose
only capital is their labor. Mr.. Blaine has
landed in New-York with earnest words of
entreaty and warning on his lips for the
humbest and poorest Of his fellow citizens.
Their future Is at stake In the struggle be-
tween republicanlsm and democracy. The
enemies OF protection are fighting the battle
OF European cheap labor aud misery. VIII
American workingmen lend their support to
q cause that 10 fatal to their interests The
appeal, as Mr.. Blaine says, lies with them
The first words Of this leader OF men will
echo through the land. There were no signs
OF premed tation or self-con siousness in the
unaffected address which he delivered In re-
Spouse to the greetings in the hsrbor. but
Mr. Blaine's heart went out at once TO the
thousands OF American working people whose
lot lie has been contrasting wherever he has
Dcen IN Europe Win that Of less favored and
Departing toilera lie had a message to de-
liver 10 them. He could not keep the words
back lie knows now what he only family
realized eighteen months ago-that IL Ia the
government that steadily promotes employ
ment In manifold industries and protects lab
or by securing TO 1t the home market that de-
serves the confidence and support OF working
people. England leaves Its toiipg millions
TO the natural laws OF supply and demand
and there is an army OF the unemployed In
every town, and there is another great horde
that must either emigrate or stsrye. In
America II is the privilege OF government Mt
both 10 stimu ate employment aud 10 raise
the rates OF wages by a wise and benehcent
monte system Mr.. Blaine with all the
emphasis which he can command, reminds
the county OF these wcighty considerations.
II was fitting that message designed prt.
msrily for wagc-earners should be delivered
In the evening TO great audience OF work
Ing people. They were told that they could
have free trade and promote the Industrial
interests OF England and Europe II they
were content TO take the wages OF foreign
workmen aud live Under the same wretched
conditions. IL they were unwilling to make
these tremendous sacrifices, they must work
and vote against Englsnd's candidate and
stand by the American economic system. In
Mir. Blsine's judgment this Is the sum OF the
whole matter, aud the decision OF the tariff
controversy rests with those whose interests
are vitality affected. Capital can ALWAYS take
care OF itself. Labor needs the protection OF
tariff law--.feU York 7r,baae