The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-01

that the root OF the diniculty 10 to be
found In our high protective tsrin.
W hich prevents us from competing with
European manufacturers in the markets
Of thoss Republics.
The delegates from South America
may span the continent in palace cars
and indulge in feasts which would have
pleased the palate Of Lucullus. but
when they return home, will even
they, in grateful remembrance OF the
luxury they have enjoyed, DO willing
70 pay more for an article made In
Philadelphia or New York than sim
liar one manufactured in Manchester
or BerlinY Common sense answers au-
thoritatively that they would not, and
that the solution Of the difiiculty ia not
to be found in palace cars and Apician
banquets.
What then is the remedy? 10 it the
slacksning Of the speed of this high
tariff mill which 10 grinding the
American farmers to POWDER Oh, no,
say the monopolists, for what then
would become Of our grist. and their
remedy comes like the little mouse
from the mountains in labor, and 1t 10
subsidles to steamship lines which will
take our products almost free to South
American ports. Now We desire to
ask if even the impudence OF Republi'
can monopolists could demand more
than an appropriation Of two or three
hundred thousand dollars to these sub
sidizsd lines, and we will leave it to
suy school boy initiated INTO the
mysteiies of addition and subtraction
to Say how far such an appropriation
would 10 towards controlling trade
no, amounting to millio' 8, but hun
dreds OF millions Of dollars.
The truth ia that this remedy OF sub
.idies to steamship lines 10 only held
out to delude. and no one knows better
,hans high protective tariff Donopolist
that all expedients to drive European
rivals from foreign markets will fail
ianominiouslv until We eau undersell
them, and that is now impossible.
Whatever he may say to the contrary.
he 10 we'll coDteuted TO be left undis-
lurbed 10 devour his victim at home,
ard when homo competition becomes
sharp and the victims will not go round,
what more easy than to form trusts.
curtail production and dictate his own
prices.
1t must DO evident to every unbiased
thinker that our government under Re-
publican rule, while retaining republi-
can forms, 10, in essence, assuming
many OF the aspects Of despotism, and
that the power of wealth made posi-
Die BY the protection system and cor
rupily used. is practically creating
a privileged class. If the Shah Of Per-
sis were to 90 into the markets OF his
kingdom and FIX the price Of the neces-
saries of life, it would only be . proof
of his despotic power. Aud yet, the
American people allow parcel OF
scurvy and vulgar conspirators, emit
tied to no more respect than so many
Jack Shepherds, to dictate to them what
they shall pay for their oil, for their salt.
and other articles of a. prime necessity
to farmers and working classes OF the
country as the very air that they
breathe.
If the Republican party remains much
longer in power we may we'll despair
of the Republic. With half Of the
wealth Of the country in the hands Of
90 900 people. a. stated by Thomas q.
Shearman in the Forusi, and oil this
enormity accomplished, ~ We believe,
10 a large measure through the pro.ec-
tive system and through trusts, the day
NAV not be far distant when the Presi-
dency. like the Roman Empire, will
have ito market value and be sold to
the highest bidder, and We are not
without warning in the silent and in
competent nillionaires in the United
States Senate.
Let US hope, however, that the coun-
try will see it's peril in time. and that
under the leadership of some incor-
ruptiblc patriot like Cleveland. it will
drive out the money changers from the
temple of liberty, and restore it to the
noble uses for which it was built up.
stone by stone, by the great founders Of
our republic.