Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-09-08
Another Prominent Democrat Gives His
Reasons for Abandoning Cleveland

S&S.@~@~~e@e@@E Ss..@~-~-
A strong statement of his reasons why
he now supports Harrison and Morton is
made by Hon. BENJAMIN RAY of New
York, Democrat who has long been a
firm supporter Of his party. He has been
a Democratic member of the New York
Senate. When recently asked if it were
true that he had decided to support the
Republican candidate this year, he replied ::
Il have determined to do my duty. l am
one of the old stock, and no better Democrat
ever lived, but love my country and am in
terested in her industries and believe in pro-
tecting them and my country's flag from
harm. This is my platform, and | can this
year carry il out in no better way than by
voting for Harrison and Morton. This cam
paign is to be fought on lines parallel with
those Of 1910. Cleveland is sham and a
coward. There is a good deal of pent-up
emotion among the democrats here, and once
it is let loose the day is won. The only fear
have is from British money. That the Eng
lish will send over here the sinews of war IN
the shape of bright yellow gold, do not
doubt for moment, but after all 1 cannot
believe it will amount to very much. This
is the peoples fight 1t is sink or swim with
the American wurkingmen this campaign and
the question of protecting American indus
tries is a live one. | worked hard for Cleve-
lands election because | believed him the
right man. Six months of his admlnlstra-
ton, however, settled HIM as far as was con-
cerned. Most men, you know. are governed
by environment. Cleveland surrounded him
self with a gang-a lot of Golden Club men.
Free Traders aud rebels. lie east his lot
with theirs. As he has made his bed so must
he lie in it. The people who voted for him
in 1884 did not know him. Here in this town
the people are so seriously alarmed by the
great issue of protection as well as the ques-
ton involved in the pending fisheries treaty
that the Republicans will receive large Access
sions to their ranks
The DANCERS OF FREE TRADE.
The danger that threatens us is grave
one and menaces our prosperity more than if
the empires of the world were leagued
against us in bloody war. After reading
Cleveland's message my thoughts went back
to 1892, when one of the Southern States dl-
rectly antagonized the general government
on the tariff question. pondered over the
Compromise bill introduced by Henry Clay,
which provided for the gradual reduction of
duties until l843, and then | calculated the
harm a repetition of such period would do
US, and concluded that | would have nought
of the Mills bill nor Free Trade. When Van
Buren, was made President in SO, what was
the condition of affairs? Business-there
was none. Money-the Treasury was empty.
Everything was cheap to be sure, but money
was very dear. Then came the panic of 81.
Banks suspended, nearly half the business
men failed and ruin stared the people In the
face. What did it? The low tatiff, and the
reelection of Cleveland means the return of
the unhappy days preceding the election of
old Tippecanoe. With the return of pro-
tective tariff things began ito improve and
am content to let well enough alone. | am
not as some or my friends claim, disap-
pointed politician. am Disguised Demo
crat that is all.