National Republican., 1888-06-04
The Great ControyersY.

The leading article in Yesterdays New
York Sun, entitled "The Great Contro-
yersy," opens as follows
II becomes more and more evident that,
apart from the merits or popularity Of the
candidates the great issue of the coming
election Of President and Vice President will
be the question Of protection and free trade,
and what Is exceedingly to be desired Is that
the question should now he formulated and
placed before the voters in such manner as
to obtain from them plain authoritative,
and permanent decision.
The Sun then says this controversy has
been in existence fifty years and the iudg-
ment Of the majority Of the people "ought
to be called out and expressed" II next
declares that the free traders will not be
frank, and says
Now, however, the free traders, with presi-
dent Cleveland at their head, have clothed
themselves rs protectionsts and propose TO
fight their battle at the polls with the vcner-
able old banner of protection In their hands
There must be custom houses, they say, AMI
any duties must be protective; and labor and
capital must be dealt with kindly. But such
a disguise cannot avail, and, however they
masquerade they will be detected and Judged
for what they really are. His other names
may be good and beautiful, but in simple ear
nest free trader Is one who proposes TO re.
duce the surplus by reducing the tariff with.
out touching the internal revenue. All the
free traders In the country are arrayed Mt this
moment in favor of this project, and, while
they are all attempting TO pass their measures
off as favorable and not inimical to protoc.
ton the truth will be pretty well understood
by the people.
The sun closes It's artic in the following
significant languages
In the interest of the country, Il would be
we'll that this historic dispute should be pre-.
sented more sdunra,r and fairly than ~ -
/ seems to be intended by the present style Of
tarif reforners. Yet, as II Is after II is voted
| upon in November we shall have the satisfac.
| tion of knowing that for some time TO come
we shall be spared the inniction of those dull
| lessons in political economy, and those heavy
| debates and statistics, which are so wearl'
some to the mind, whether decked out by the
| splendid Imagination of Watterson or elab.
Grated by the more severe methods of Car.
| Isle.
1t is very evident that the sun does not
expect a reelection for President Cleveland
even If the attempt is successful to consti-
tute Thurman packhorse to carry the
waning fortunes of the President on to vic
tory, norif the free trade sentiments so clearly
expressed in the Presidents message and
by his followers in Congress receive thin
veneering of protection at st. Louis.
The Sun is right as to the issue on which
the campaign will he fought. 1t is pro-
lection against free trade. The challenge
thrown by President Cleveland has been ac-
ceptcd. The Republican platform will
speak unmistakably for protection, and the
candidate will have record to fit the plat
form. President Cleveland cannot escape,
If he desires to, from the platform he has
made for himself.
"1he great controversy" will be settled,
and in the manner indicated by the Sun. The
free traders will be silonccd and will exist
no longer as power in politics sufficient to
endanger and unsettle American industries
as they are doing now. The protectionists
will rule America for the next twenty-five
years, both in the executive and legislative
branches