Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-08-02
A LEAF FROM HISTORY.
The Old Issue Of Protection 10 Aineri-
can Labor VS.. Free Trade Revised.

In 1887 the United States was enduring
a season Of free trade, which eliminated
in the most disastrous commercial and
financial panic which had ever visited
the country. In 1910 Gen. Harrison was
elected upon platform of Protection to
American Labor" and the result of that
victory was the tariff bill, which became
a law in 1912. This gave an impetus to
all American industries, and the country
started upon an era of prosperity until
that time uncxamplcd In 1914 James
X. Polk was elected President Mr.. Dial,
las, of Pennsylvania being the candidate
for Vice President. The election then
hinged upon the State of Pennsylvania
''the Keystone State"-as il now hinges
upon New York and Indiana Mr. Dal-
las and his followers were sufficiently
strong to carry Pennsylvania and in
1916 Robert j. Walker, then Secretary of
the Treasurer, at the command OF the
South, recommended the free trade meas
IRE. which has since been known in pol
itical history as the Walker tarif"--a
practical return to free trade. The slavery
question soon after became the prominent
political feature of the nation, and while
that mOmentous subject filed the
thoughts of men there was no room for
the tariff. The country struggled onward
under the Walker tariff until 1857, when
again the nation was visited by tinan-
cial and commercial cyclone which com
pletely Frustrated every industry. No
man living and in business will ever for
get the panic of 1857. Merchants and
bankers would go to their beds at night
rich, to find themselves beggars in the
morning. The mills were closed in the
manufacturing districts;merchants sought
bankruptcy for relief; the roads were
lined with sober, Industrious, skilled
mechanics driven to become 'tramps" in
search of employment, and wages were
forced down to the starvation point In
1861 the conditions were almost desperate.
and when the drum of the recruiting Off
Ger was beaten TO enlist troops to repel
the murderous attack upon the life of the
nation by the Southern Democrats, the
ranks were filled at once by men many of
whom were driven almost 10 desperation
by poverty and want.
In 1851 the Morrill, tariff bill" was
passed, and since that time has, with
frequent notifications, been the law of
the land Since the Morrill, tariff has
been in operation season of prosperity
uneXampled in the annals of mankind
mas prcVallCu III America. caltn never
before in history accumulated in any
country rs ii has accumulated here during
the past thirty years under the rule Of
the Republican protective tariff system.
BY combination Of unfortunate cir.
cnmstanCcs the Democratic party of the
South again came into power three years
ago, and its first effort after becoming
firmly seated, is to reinaugurate the old
ruinous free trade system under which
the country was held in poverty thirty
five, forty, and fifty years ago A North
crn dough-faCe again occupies the Prcsi-
dental chair and obcys the mandates of
the Southern master who gives him his
position. History is struggling to repeat
it. elf, and there is little doubt that it will,
in the election Of the grandson of the
man who forty eight years ago won the
first victory from the free trade Uligarchy
of the Southern States. Then the war
cry was Harrison, and protection to
American Labor" To-day the old cry
comes down to us eChoing through nearly
half century, but bringing hope, and
confidence, and courage to all.
Let 1t rcs,und everywhere as Of old:
Harrison, and protectiof to American
Labor" There is victory in the cry as
there was in 1910.