The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-20
CONSISTENCY A JEWEL
Why should the Lord BE Thanked For What
the Protective Tariff DoeSs.

Why Should the Lord BE Thanked For What
the Protective Tariff Does.
To THE EDIToR-Sir: Heretofore have
always regarded President Harrison as a
consistent protectionist. Indeed, one
could not come to any other conclusion.
judging by his utterances on various occa-
sions. I have tried to make it a rule to
be charitable TO those who differed with
me in their beliefs, more so if they were
thoroughly consistent at all times. And
while l regarded Mr.. Harrison as an ig
noramus in the matter Of political economy
Che having admitted this also in several of
his speeches). l still admired him for his
consistency. For this very reason ! up
held his appointment of Robert 2. Porter
as superintendent OF the census, he being
an arch-high protectiOnist, who will do his
utmost to prove, by figures (which never
lie, you know that what this country wants
is protection and lots of it. In appointing
this man, Mr.. Harrison has simply shown
his consistency Whether Mr. Harrison
honestly and truly believes in the princi-
pies of protection is not for me to judge
or to say.
Since reading his thanksgiving procla-
nation, however, | have had my faith In
his honesty of belief in that direction
badly shaken, for inconsistency comes to
the surface in the message.
Before the election we were told that
the source OF our prosperity was the pro-
tective tariff and now after 'the election
is over and speech-making is done" we
are told that we should give thanks to
Divine Providence who hath prospered us.
Last fall the people were told to worship
the protective tariff fetch, for without it
there would be no wages at all TO speak
of, and now it is God who has vouchsafed
to them that labor a recompense for their
toll"
To-day the farmers are called upon Ito
be mindful OF their dependence on the
bounty of divine Providence" while a year
ago the bounty of Providence would have
availed them nothing had not the tariff
provided them with home market, and
on the home market they must depend.
1t is well to be thankful, if one has
something to be thankful for, say, for in
stance. steady employment at living wages,
but the people want to know to whom to
give thanks Now, it is either the Al
mighty God or the protective tariff; for
land / say it reverently) an Almighty who
must be assisted by protective tariff to
help Him, can't be much of Supreme
Being.
Let choose between the Lord and Baal.
If the Creator of heaven and earth is the
"author of our many blessings" let us
give thanks to Him, but If it is the tariff
then let us build temples and affairs in his
honor or to the discoverer of the same,
and worship him with Thanksgiving and
prayer.
Moreover, the message is not a complete
in, ffcalf and chorrlH no rQRallad on1
amended, as it makes no provisions for
those who have not been so prosperous.
But, perhaps, Mr.. Harrison is reasonable
and does not expect those who have missed
the blessings, of which he speaks, to be
thankful, or perhaps he has overlooked
them entirely.
At any rate the message is addressed to
"a highly-favored people," and asks that
''the people of our country meaning, no
doubt. all the people cease from cares and
labors ETC." But what about those who
have been ceasing from toll (if not from
care) both voluntarily on account of starva-
ton wages and Involuntary on account of
the closing of mills, etc? Are they not
also part of the people? To whom shall
they ascribe their condition? Theirs is,
indeed, a strange case. Evidently the
Divine Providence sis a respecter of per-
sons, ana mas passed THEM by, OF the pro-
tective tariff does not fit their case. If
they are not thankful on Thanksgiving
day, let us not call them ungrateful
wretches, who eff they are not satisfied
with this country, should go back to free
trade-ridden Europe, but in the kindness
of our hearts let us ay Father who art
in heaven, or protective tariff who art on
earth, forgive them, for they know not
whom to be thankful to, even were it pos
sible for them to be thankful"
And while the favored people" are
thanking the Lord, or the protective tariff,
as the case may be, 'fOr each reunited
home circle" let those who have been
compelled to leave their families and seek
for an opportunity to labor, be thankful at
least that this is a free country, where no
one is bound to work for another, unless
he so chooses, no one can compel him, no!
If the "recompense" is not enough to de-
Gently support life, he is at perfect liberty
to seek work in some other locality and
find it--if he can. CHAs. III. KRAUsE.
indianapolis, Nov. II.