The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-08-09
WHY THE WEST Is POOR.
The Atchison "Champion's" Re-
nuncinsion of tho Protection
EnlIacY.

From the Atchison Champion Of July 3I.I
When such recognized republican
leaders as James q. Blaine and Preston
Ii. Plumb essay to depart very widely
from their life long convictions on the
tariff question, it certainly will not be
seriously cOntended that other republi-
cans, who have never faltered in their
adherence to the protective tariff idea.
forfeit their party standing or furnish
grounds Tor impeaching their republi-
canism, If they Too, upon mature deiib-
Grafton, make bold to express views on
that subject ut variance with the &C
cepted party dOgmas.
For over thirty years the Champion
has advocated and defended the pro-
tectiye tariff theory. II has argued
this question with all the logic at It's
command. 1t has furnished columns
of facts anu figures in sup 'ort OF pro.
lection versus free trade. Sincere In
its belief that the only true economic
policy for this country was "protection
to American industries" il has neg
lected no opportunity to set forth its ad.
vantages, and To combat what II has
invariably designated the free trade
heresy. Beng n republican journal il
has specially emphasized this repnbli
can uOctrine.
Recently, however, the Champion
has discovered certain reasons for very
materially changing its mind on this
subject, and at this writing il has uO
hesitancy in declaring that, all senii
ment and partisan bias aside, while q
protective tariff Ia u decided and al
most Indispensable benefit to the east,
the great manufacturing and financial
stronghold of our country, for the west,
the great agricultural area of our land,
il is a positive in jury, a barrier TO its
progress, ami nsurmOuntsble hindrance
to its development, and an effectual
estoppel 10 its true material prosperity
What has led the Champion to this
conclusion, this radical change in its
economic opinion? Briefly this: 1t
has found that under the dominance Of
the protective idea the east has steadily
grown in wealth at the expense aud to
the detriment OF the west. In other
words, that eastern manufacturers and
capitalists have increased their accu-
mutations enormously, while the farmers
of the west have, during the same period
made no prOLortionate gain, hut on the
contrary have been reduced TO condi
liOn of vassalage, ,ot tribute. paying seris
To put it III still another form. The
capitalists and manufacturers of the
east, aided and sbetted by q protective
tariff, have made money In fabulou,
sums while the farmers OF the wes
have been scarcely able to maintain
themselves respectfully. Not only 20,
but eastern manufacturers and capital
lists have, by reason of this protectiv,
tariil, been placed in position wher,
their financial power gives them prac
tical control OF our government in al
It's departments, despite the votes ant
wishes of the people OF the westerl
states who, by reason of being larg,
creditors. of Necessity borrowers O
and dependents upon the east, are vir
tually politically distrsnchised.
These facts have induced the Cham
pion at this time to make public il
conviction that II protective tariff Is on
of the many things the west does no
want and cannot afford TO sustain.
The western farmer has no interes
whatever in u protective tariff. Lii
interest rather lies IN the direction q
liree trade--ol access 10 all lnarkets-