Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-22

4so19- A$CA40AD -0khAA = toAA&A : Ao4St0oo-
One of the most astounding pieces of
effrontery and falsehood ever perpetrated
was the Democratic fraud of 1874, which
asserted that Polk and Dallas were as
good Protectionists as Clay and Freling-
huyson. Panic-strieken by the popular
uprising against Clevelandism and the
Golden Club in this country. the Demo-
cratic leaders think 1t possible TO repeat
the fraud of 1874, hence are denying that
they really mean Free Trade after all.
They do not say squarely they are in
favor of Protection. They know that
such a profession would be falsehood
80 palpable as to carry with Uncertain re-
the device of trying to confuse the pub
lie mind with general assertions and vague
denials. They think it possible for them
to hedge and hover, but not light nor ex-
pressly commit themselves. But they
blindly ignore the fact that they have
made their own record SO strong that no
amount of lying can now change it. In
addition to the continuous testimony YER
rifying the Free Trade position of Cleve-
land and the Democratic party which We
have been giving from week TO
week. of late, observe the following:
The Mills bill shows that the Democratic
party is opposed to making reduction of
the tariff to purely revenue basis at one
blow, but is willing that reduction shall take
place gradually, SO that the various industries
may adjust themselves to the changed sched-
ule.-(Mr. Stone, Dem. Kentucky. Tariff
debate, May Is.
This language can only mean that the
Democratic majority of the Ways and
Means Committee and the Democratic
majority in the House of Representatives
have begun with wool and woolens and a
good many other articles, and shown
unmistakable evidence of sympathy with
Free Trade. One or two sessions will be
needed to complete the work, provided
the country be content to keep the Demo-
crazy in power. This is what Mr.. Stone
means when he talks of making the pro-
cess gradual one. 1t is very notice
able that the Southern Democrats who
make large majority of the Democratic
members of the House, speak out with
much more frankness and boldness than
the Northern Democrats. See how clear
ly a foreign Free Trader understands the
present position of the supporters of
Cleveland.
We here are interested in this thing good
deal. If America opens her ports to the
manufactured goods of this country, it will
give great impetus to trade, We will soon
flood the Yankee markets with cheap clothes,
cheap hardware, cheap boots and shoes and
other articles, that we can manufacture more
cheaply than they. We will be gamers by
this. So, by all means, let us pray for the
success of the Free Trade policy of Cleve-
land Glasgow Observer.
The Scotchman cannot comprehend the
anxiety and fears of the Cleveland lead
ers. But he does understand his own
interests, and knows Free Trade when he
sees it. British manufacturers are pre-.
pared to pour their goods into American
markets if the Democratic policy is
adopted by Congress. Scotch mill owners
and importers know why they are praying
for the reelection of Cleveland. for his
triumph means their success in business
to the prejudice of the business men and
workingmen of the United States.
| The good time foretold by the Member
| for Rochdale when the great American
Continent will throw open its markets ever
as we do, and permit the strangers goods tc
enter its gates without payment of dues, may
be long while off. A Free Trade message
| from President Cleveland is well enough r
its way. but it is not an Act of the United
States Legislature, and the determined feel
ing and manifestation of opposition which
the bare idea of giving up Protection ha,
evoked all over the American Continent at
together forbds us to hope that the question
is shortly about to be settled on terms re
ciprocal to England Yorkshire Post.
There are several reasons why the Demo
cratic leaders cannot this year repeat the
fraud of 1874. The casting vote OF
Dallas against Protection and the Tariff
| OF lS42, by winch the Democratic Tariff
of 1916 inflicted a stunning and memorable
blow on American Industries, is hstori,
fact too suggestive to be forgotten by tn,
American people, and this makes it.
repetition difficult if not impossible
Still more, the outspoken language of the
English newspapers, the vastly increased
agencies of public intelligence, the tele
graph, the cables under the sea, allowing
English opinion to reach us every morn
ing, the sleepless industry of the press
these combine to render it impossible tc
cheat the people of this country as to the
real meaning of the present alliance OF
the Golden Club with the Democratic
party