The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1888-09-22
HISTORICAL FACTS.
The Inconsistent Course Of the Opposition
on the High Protection Issue.

on the High Protection Issue.
The Republican declaration of high
and increasing tariff tax recalls the
fact that now for the first time high
protection is made the Republican sIlib-
boleth. The party sprang from the
absorbing issue of slavery, and its pur-
pose was to Withstand the extension of
slavery into the Territories. The plat
form of 1856 was devoted to this ques-
ton. The platform of 1860, upon which
the party came into power. was also
primarily and chiefly devoted to the
various aspects of the question of slav-
cry, the Union, the rights of the States,
etc., and was composed of seventeen
sections. The first section said:
"That while providing revenue for the sup
port of the general Government by duties upon
imports, sound policy requires such an adjust
ment OF these imposts as to encourage the de-
velopment of the industrial interests OF the
whole country; and we commend the policy OF
National exchanges which secures to the work
ing-man liberal wages to agriculture remuner-
ating prices. to mechanics and manufacturers
an adequate reward for their skill, labor and
enterprise, and TO the Nation commercial pros
perity and independence"
In 1864 the platform was a war plat
form, and said of the finances that the
public faith must be kept inviolate, and
that for this purpose 1--WE recommend
economy and rigid responsibility in the
public expenditures, and vigorous
and just system OF taxation" In 1868
the platform declared that ait is due
to the labor of the Nation that taxation
should be equalized and reduced as
rapidly as the National faith will per-
nit" and also "the Government of
the United States should be admins
tered with the strictest economy"
From 1856 to 1872 the Republican plat
forms were silent upon what is now
declared to be the supreme policy of
the party. In 1872 the platform said:
1.-THE annual revenue, after paying current
expenditures, pensions and the interest on the
public debt should furnish a moderate balance
for the reduction OF the principal, and that rev.
enue, except so much as may be derived from
a tax upon tobacco and liquors, should be
raised by duties upon importations, the details
of which should be so adjusted as to aid in Sc
mote the industries, prosperity and growth Of
the whole country"
But whatever the declarations of the
platforms, the great Republican doc
trine was by no means that of extreme
protection. Garfield said: 81 am for
a protection which leads to ultimate
free trade. / am not for free trade
which can only be achieved through a
reasonable protection" Again Gar
field said:
1.-THE signs are unmistakable that o strong
reaction Is setting IN against the prevailing
[tarin rates. and he is not wise legislator
who shuts his eyes to the facts of the situation.
He is not q faithful representative who
merely votes for the highest rate proposed in
order to show on the record that he voted for
the highest figure, and therefore is q sound
protectionist He Is the wisest man who sees
the tides and currents Of public opinion, and
uses his best efforts to protect the industry Of
the people against sudden collapses and sudden
changes. Now II do not misunderstood the
signs OF the times, unless we do this ourselves,
prudently and wisely, we shall before long be
compelled to submit to violent reduction,
made rudely and without discrimination which
will shock, If not shatter, all our protected in
dustrieA"
In his message of 1884 President
Arthur said:
Z" In my annual message of 1889 1 recon-
mend the abolition of all excise taxes except
those relating to distilled spirits. This recon-
mendation is now renewed. In case these
taxes shall be abolished, the revenue that will
remain to the Government will in my opinion,
not only sufice to meet its reasonable ex-
penditures, but will afford o surplus large
enough to permit such tariff reduction as may
seem to be advisable when the results Of recent
revenue laws and commercial treaties shall
have shown In what quarters these reductions
can be most judiciously effected
President Arthur had three Secre-
taries of the Treasury-Mr. Folger,
Mr.. Gresham and Mr.. McCulloch.
They were all strict Republicans and
revenue reformers. In his annual re-
port for 1883, Mr.. Folger said:
" The existing duties upon raw materials
which are to be used in manufacture should be
removed. This can be done In the interest of
our foreign trade"
The notifications of the tariff rec
commended by the Tariff Commission
of 1888 President Arthur thought to be
inadequate, and in calling attention to
the fact that -FOUR system of tax and
tariff legislation is yielding revenue
which is in excess of the present needs
of the Government, he stated two
reasons in favor of tightening the tax:
''rhat the revenue may be reduced so as no
longer to tax the people; that protective
duties may be retained without becoming bur-
densome"
All this was sound Republicanism
under the last Republican Administra-
ton, but it is substantially in accord
with President Cleveland's message. If
that means free trade, this Republican
President and his Republican Secretar-
les were substantially free traders. The