The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-11-16
The Cause of 1t.

The Cause of 1t.
The Republican leaders, having partially
recovered from the dazed condition into
which they were knocked by the elections
last week, are casting about for excuses for
the defeat. In their endeavors to account
for the disasters no two agree and all ig-
more one of the prime causes. No one
denies that local matters played part in
each state, but if local issues alone turned
the scale it is very singular that the advan-
tage would all be in favor of one political
party.
The tariff played the most important
part. In Virginia Mahone's speeches
were mostly in favor of high tariff as
protection to American industry and Amer
lean interests. His opening speech, in the
Southwest. where he calculated to make
the strongest inroads upon the Democratic
party, was almost wholly upon the tariff.
His defeat, though, would have been GER
tain upon any platform and upon any prom
ises, for he is despised By the best element
of the Republican party, and detested by the
Democrats, who have no faith in his word,
no confidence in his honesty, and regard
him as an enemy to Virginia and menace
to peace and good order.
In Ohio the Democratic nominee for
Governor was a tariff reformer, who voted
in the House of Representatives for the
Mills BILL On the stump he advocated
tariff reduction and revenue reform, and
every prominent Democratic speaker ear
ried the tariff to the forefront. Foraker,
his opponent, is blatant Protectionist, and
SC are Mckinley, Sherman, and all other
leaders who took part in the campaign.
In Iowa, the liquor question played an
important part. and the people were aux-
ious to substitute high license for Probibi-
ton. which was fraud and sham, but
there, too, the Democrats pressed home to
the voters the fact that they were oppressed
by needless taxation under the guise of
''protection.
In New York and New Jersey the tar
iff was a leading theme for the press and
the campaign orators, while in Massachu-
sets the tariff was the main issue made by
che Democratic nominee for Governor, and
upon that-issue he cut down the Republi-
can majority TO less than six thousand in
vote of about two hundred and City thous-
and
The Republican leaders are so imbued
with the Protection fallacy, that it is diff
cult for them to see the drift of public
sentiment for lower taxation. The people
axe gradually realizing that they are taxed
beyond the necessities Of government, and
that millions are annually being gathered
into the treasury for which the government
has no need. They are realizing that the
high tariff enhances prices beyond legitimate
profit and they see themselves grow poorer
while millionaires multiply aud monopolies
and trusts flourish. They are realizing that
high tariff restricts trade and commerce,
hampers industry and retsrds progress.
They~see our trade with other countries
dwindling, and our shipping disappearing
from the seas. They are realizing that IN
an exchange Of commodities between
nations Is the foundation of business
growth and activity, and that our box
terrapin policy is driving away commerce
and Is destroying the markets for the sur
plus products Of our farms. They are re-
alizing that they are forced to buy IN a
protected market. and sell--for our chief
exports are our surplus farm produc's-ln
a free trade market They are realizing
that. while the price Of grain aud cotton
aud beef aud dairy products are liked
abroad. every necessity Of life is enhanced
in price by an average Of forty-seven per
cent. by high tax for the benefit Of the
few.
The Republican party is pledged to re
form the tariff, but we cannot recall the
redemption Of any pledge by that party
Il IS probable that Mr.. Harrison may re-
commend a revision Of the tariff in
his forthcoming message to Congress,
but it is quite sure no relief will be
granted. a pretense may be made, as
n 1888. when a bill was passed
that enlarged the free list, but upon
the wholeincreasedtaxes and realized greater
revenue, and at the same time fostered
monopolies. The best that can be expect
ed from Republican Congress viii be a
few additions to the free list, of Injuries
principally, and a reduction of the tax on
whisky and tobacco. This viii not satisfy
the public demand. Neither whisky nor
tobacco is a necessity, aor do the people
want the tax lessened upon luxuries, but
a material reduction upon the common
necessities Of life, Nothing short of this
win meet the popular elamOr, aud the
battle viii be waged until this results.
1.-THE voice Of the people expressed last
week IS not needed, they viii be heard
from again in louder tones in the eengres-
sional elections next year, and their voice
win grow still louder at each election until
it is Needed
Supreme Court VS.. Blaine.
IL MI. III trusts ere r,rivata affairs