Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-05
What Two Years Will Do.
Vircinian. !

Tie briet period intervening between
the passage of the tariff bill and the
election was an unfortunate event in ole
sense, and i may be q fortunate one in
another, for the Republicans. In the
first place it afforded an admirable oppor-
tunity for the opponents of that measure
to misrepresent it, which they lndustri-
ously did, and to inhame public feeling
against it. There was not an importer or
free trader, nor was there dealer whom
they could reach, who did not avail Of
the occasion to pervert the tariff law,
distort its provisions, and grossly misrep-
resent its legitimate effects. A concerted
plot was entered into to raise the price OF
almost every article of trade, AMI TO de-
mand increased prices upon the distinct
and false plea that the Mckinley bill was
the cause. As an example, every article
made out of tin was advanced, although
the provision affecting tin plate does not
90 into effect until July, 1891, and then,
grading the advance by the increase of
the tariff on tin plate, it would not have
been onC-tenth of one per cent, while the
increase was sometimes as much as two
hundred per cent. In many instan ces al
ticles on the free list, and in other cases,
articles as to which the tariff had not
been changed, shared the same fate; and
all of it charged to the Mckinley bill
The effect OF this. was hurtful to the Re-
publicans, inasmuCh as there was not
time enough TO cOunteract the falsebood
by counter statement of the truth. The
result was, that a large vote was cas-
against the friends of the bill, under Al
impulse to resist an increase Of prices,
and to rebuke the party that stood re-
sponsible for the enactment of the meas
IRE.
While the Republicans have to endure
the effects of this perverted condition of
the case, they will not be without en-
couragement as time demonstrates the
merits ofthe measure and the immeasur-
able benefits that will be derived from it
to the country. An off year does not count
much IN national affairs, especially when
the relations of parties are adjusted as
they now are in the legislative and exc
cutive departments. The measure itself
will stand, until it has had a fair trial,
and the advantage Impractical experience
has been fully illustrated in its opera
tions. The fact that the people have
been robbed through free trade misrepre-
sensations and the COnniyance of dealers
all over the country, will bring its re-
buke when they realize to what extent
they have been imposed upon, The fur
Their fact that when the people have level
ed down TO the true conditions under the
bill, have brought their calm judgment
to bear upon the results of Its operations,
and realize that all the great and para
mount interests of the country have been
benefcially subseryed by 1t, they will
seek the earliest opportunity to show
their condemnation. not only Of the I'M
porters and free t. aders, and the system
attic falsehoods they practlced, but of the
party that has been temporarily adyan-
tagged by them.
Two years hence the public mind will
be in different frame. The receptions
of the free traders will have been ex-
posed by the practical operation of the
Mckinley bill. There will be a clear I'M
Outstanding of the nefarious methods
adopted to accomplish the results OF the
4th, and there will consequently be de-
| termination to avenge the wrongs and
outrages that have been perpetrated in
the methodical and precOnceIyed decep
| tons that were used. The doctrine oil
protection to American labor, American
industries, and American homes will be
asserted by those to whom its benefit:
will be living tangible witnesses. The
contest will then be made on definite
lines drawn between the two great par
ties with the assurance that a majority OF
the American people will decide IN favor
of American interests, and the party that
makes them q cardinal tenet in its faith