The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-01-26

evasion of the inevitable result of an effort
10 reduee his wages BIZ inviting close
competition with pauper labor? fhe work
ingman would have to share the fate of his
emploser and Giqide with him the loss. The
question was one pure, of wages. Ii wages
were not greater here than in England,
France, and Belgium Americas chief COM
petitors) this country could, no doubt,
compete now with all the world in all
metallic nnd textile fabrics. But would 1t
be wise to pursue policy that would
COMPEL THE REDUCTION OF WAGES
to the qeaeral standard in Europef The Re-
publican party had declared 1t to be the
duty of the national government not only
TO levy enough duties on imported mer-
ehandise to support the government, but
to levy those duties SO as to secure to labor
ing men employed IN manufactures such
wages as would enable them to support,
maintain, and educate properly their wives
and children. Cheap labor in this country
meant the degradation Of Americas politics
He had thus endeavored, he said, to give
a respectful answer 10 the President's mes
sage. He wss willing according to the
Republican national platform of 1884 to
correct Tho irregularities OF the tariff and to
reduce the surplus-uot by the vicious and
indiscriminatiDg process OF horizontal re-
duction, but by euch methods SO would re-
lieve the taxpayer without injuring the
laborer or the great productive industries
of the country. He was willing las recon-
mepded by the Presidsnt) to join in care
full examination of the details of the tariff
laws, with view to the reduction OF taxes
He was willing las the President enjcined1
to take broad and national contemplation
Of the subject, with practical dis
regard OF such local and selfish claims
SO were unreasonable and regardless OF
she entire country. But he could not do
Nat and at the same time follow the rec
concentrations of the President. He could
not
Strike AT THE INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS
built up by the tariff laws. He could not deep
ca aad sassnsify the struggle now going on
baswesp employers and employed by invit-
ing Increasing competition, crlppling man
ufAetursrs, aud reducing wages. He greatly
preferred policy that would encourage
homo Industry, diversity homo productions,
discourage operations, add to the eIter-
aal and iaternel commerce, open new mines,
incresse raw materials, light new furnaces,
esss biEh new rolling mills, factories, and
workshops, and develop the wonderful
eseural resources of the country.
He preferred that policy which
lacked 10 the interests Of the American
people rather than to those of foreign ma
lions. Ee preferred the policy Of reducing
prices by home csm petition rather than by
foreign competition, of cheapsning raw
materials by increased production, by the
Improvement of rivers and harbors, aud by
railroad competition. In other words. he
preferred the development, increase, and
Growth Of the productions Of this coustry,
wisSeut regard to the policy or theories or
Interests Of other nations. whatever might
be said of other nations protection to home
industries las embodied in the tariff lawa)
wss she best for this country, aad he flor
sne) proposed to maintain 1t evea against
the advice of the President.
IL conclusion he said We do not appre
ciate, az we ought, the commanding POSI-
ton now held by the United States among
shs nations IF the world. Our fathers won
The freedem of the ocean and proclaimed
thu doctrine OF confidential exemption from
Earepean aggresaiens, We, in our dsy,
kave tested the strength Of the Union. We
have asSs5shed slavery; we have established
TN Drisetsle on which our currency and pub
&c gsias are founded, so as to command the
respect asd approval OF The civilized world;
VS. sra now united in bonds of growing
strength, and, trust, in perpetual uniep;
we have built up our industries by policy
founded
UPON THE HIGHEST PATRIOTISM.
IFS success is marked by the general
wealth and prosperity of our people.
By taxisg them # seeks to benefib, and
It extehss its benefits impartislly to
every industry and every section. 1t
atv4s emPl6s ulent to the laborer in every
f<ld. It Concentrates 10 our own land aud
nd f,s1r r1anNlo arripIltura
com merce, and manufactures, making each
support the other, and all contributing to
the wealth aad grandeur Of the republic.
These great departments of Industry are
net new divided by sectional lines, but are
tzt4rwoven like the veius, arteries. AID
muscles of the human body What we
want sew is the cultivation of the sentf-
ment of patriotism, an intense love of
country, feeling OF national pride. Every
American, whether nstive or natural
lied, ought to feel that this is his
country, to which he owes allegiance, duty,
and pride. The Presideut (any President)
10 bis elevated seclusion, approached only
by fatterers and office-seekers, should re-
gard the interests aud honor of his coun-
sry, fits development ond prosperity, and
the employment and happiness of his couu-
trymsn as higher far than the interests of
foreigners, or the development of their
products. 1t is to the Senate only that 1
have the right to appeal. Tae best we can
do fer mankind is to do the best for our
country.
eug eauntry's welfare is our first concern,
And who promotes that best, best proves his
duty.
The home missionary is the best mission
ary. The light Of eur example we give to
foreign nations, duty we owe to our own.
WHAT higher duty can there be than TO be
watc1ful OF the Interests and to protect
aad foster and diversity the industries of
the American people