Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-10-10
WHY WE LIKE THE MCKINLEY
BILL.


We have on previous occasions declared
our opposition to many of the features of
the Mckinley bill, but we cannot help
loving it for the enemies it is making In
England, Germany and other parts of
Europe. The New York Herald tells us
that Germany is mad clear through, but
Germany doesn't remember that the
farmers and stock raisers of the United
States were also "mad clear through"
when the American hog was not only
refused admission 10 the German market,
hut had insult added to the Injury by an
imputation. wholly unfounded. that he
was ansound as an article of food. This
insult to the hog was not, of course, the
inspiration of the American policy of
protection violated in many respects by
the Mckinley bill-but it does show that
the German government is not averse to
protecting the interests OF its farmers and
other subjects, even at the expense of
truth as we'll as of the interests of
friendly people.
And England, also. raises a howl all
the mole significant because her politi-
clans and manufacturers were wont to
assure us that Ue were the chief sufferers
by the policy of exclusion of foreign
competition and the encouragement OF
American industrial independence. They
sneered st our ignorance and, as did the
waiter in David Copperfeld, obligingly
offered to enlighten us by relieving us of
the drudgery of manufacturing. But pow
the laugh is on the other side of the
mouth. They succeeded in fooling nobody
| I themselves, and straightway they
raofan dirafu1lu Thar rQaanfmanf
may carry them to the extremity of bring
ing their plants to this country, and
from this change of base continue the
war on our manufacturers. Let them
come. There is room enough and labor
enough to supply their needs. and they
shall have fair field and all the favor
granted the most favored manufacturer
or monopolist. From this field of action
the American people will view the war
with pleasure, and g!eefclly applaud the
Britlsher every time he makes cut in
prices. IL be wants this market, let him
come add take it in this manner, and he
will have the goodwill and the God
blessing of every true American heart.
The bill, with all its faults, has also
endeared itself to our heart on account
of another enemy it has made,-the
importer. That toreign~A American who
is here for revenue only-is the bitterest
and most insiduous, not to say most
hyp9critical of the enemies of American
industrial progress and development.
Already he has begun his war on the new
measure passed Ia the interest OF protecN
ton by sending out circulars announcing
10 dealers that, on account of the passage
of the Mckinley bill, he is forced to
advance prices on certain articles OF
foreign manufacture. Ostensihly, these
circulars are intended for dealers, but as
several of them have found Their way to
this office, and as editors are not dealers
TO any large extent in foreign goods, the
trick IL too transparent to escape deteo |
ton. The obvious purpose OF these cir.
culars, coming under The signature OF
different firms, bat all having the name |
manifest destiny" is to arouse through |
the press popular clamor against the
law, and we daily expect tn bear their
reverbcrstiOns from the horde of so called |
leaders OF public opinion as justification |
of what they attempted to make people |
believe they knew about the tariff
But the clamor will frigbten no intelli.
gent person. Suppose the professional
man should have to pay little more for
his imported suit of clothes; the certainty |
that his client and his patient will be
sber to pay him his fees by reason of
steady and renumerative employment
makes it more desirable to pay the
additional price than if such client and
patient had no employment at all.
Yes we rather like the Mckinley bill
for the enemies it has made.-PetersbHrs
Inder. appeal.