Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1890-04-26

Nuts for workins,n.n to Crack.

kGtuEl 4uGbtiOu VI lhDOI t1uQ
anything else. and no class OF people
are more benefited by II than laborers.
That combinations, monopolies and
trusts take advantage OF II and run 1t
TO suit themselves Is more the fault OF
the laboring classes than of any other
cause. 1t Is only beneficial to CON-
bined capital, to manufacturers and
producers, SO Tar as it builds up o
home market for the products of labor.
The more manufacturers there are in
the country the more laborers are re.
quired and the larger and better the
home markets will be.
1t Is somewhat strange that any por-
ton OF the labor classes do not see this
and become active supporters OF pro-
tective tariff instead of active oppo-
nents Of it. The tariff levied and col
lecied by this country about equals the
difference ln the price of labor between
the laborers OF this country and that of
foreign countries. This higher price
OF labor In this country Is an inhibition
OF the manufactured products of for.
eign countries by cheap labor.
Let workingn On look at this ques-
tion dispassionately; let them lay aside
political prejudice long enough TO give
1t proper thought, and let them ex-
anime for themselves the bearings and
operations Of a protective tariff. If
they will do this they must come to the
Inevitable conclusion that they are the
most highly favored classes by tina,
tariff. Can they not see that without
this protective tariff the manufacturers
OF this country would be compelled TO
manufacture everything as cheap as
manufacturers do in England and
other practically free-tracc countries?
Can they not see that by cutting down
the wages OF labor 10 the same level
with wages 10 England the manutac-
turers OF this country could compete
with English manufacturers? II would
make but little difference 10 the manu-
facturers OF this country If the tariff
were entirely repeated on everything.
All they would have 10 do would be TO
adjust themselves to the necessities of
the case, and this they would do by
cutting down wages TO the level thai
English manufacturers pay, and then
they would go on as THY always did,
but where does this place labor? Is
there al Intelligent laborng man who
cannot answer this question: We do
not believe there is. II requires no
stretch OF imagination to get at the
proper answer. Tne laborers of this
country will al last be on an equality
In ration with the laboring
classes OF Europe. There can be no
other solution OF the question.
II is not denied that capitalists take
advantage OF the existing state of
affairs and import, when they can,
cheap labor from Europe. When the
profits OF combined capital depend en-.
alrely upon the prices paid for labor, it
need not seem strange that cheap labor
Is sought after, but II the workingmen
OF this country were truly alive 10
their best Interests the importation OF
cheap labor could be stopped in fact
out OF Difference OF politicians to the
labor sentiment of the country, it has
IN great measure been prohibited
Were it not that this great immigra-
ton to this country helped to build UP
our home markets its deleterious in
huenee would be more severely felt.
The labor of the country has every
thing in lite own hands II it would
only act judiciously and wisely, and
that will never be done as long at
1aboring men choose 10 become tn,
slaves Of party and to belong to tn,
Democratic party simply because it i
sparty, or the Republican party sim
ply because it Is a party. The mer,
name of party should not be enough
10 blind working men 10 one party o
the other. There should be som,
basis of underlying principles to guild,
workingmen In their choice of party
Their right to be whatever they pleas
In political sense is conceded, bu,
while they adhere to q party whose
principles are at variance with theil
Interests they stand in their own ligh
and should get out OF it as soon o.
possible.
Here are two parties at the presen
slime striving tor the mastery. One G
chem, the Republican party, believe
IN keeping up the system OF protectio
which has most undenisbly made TIL
country strong, great, prosperous an
wealthy. Under this protective systei
the wages of labor have teen kel
nearly one hundred per cent. aboy
the wages OF labor In Europe. Thel
are, no doubt, abuses in the protect,
system, but where is there u system,
any, that has not it's abuses? Thes
abuses and mistakes in the tariff al
exactly what the Republicans are try
Ing to eliminate without impairing Ii
wages of labor. On the other han,
the Democratic party is doing all in i
power to reduce the tariff on all in
ported goods in short, 10 equalize Il
markets of the world that there ms
be perfect free exchange betwe,
them. This, OF course, cannot be dor
without equalizing the wages of lab
b those markets. We think that IL
10 about q fair statement of the case
u stands. OF course then all laborll
men acting with the Democratic par
ere working to reduce the price
their own labor. There can no otl
view be taken OF the question.
these workingmen really ever stop
think what they are doing7 Let tn,
answer the honest question are th
rot voting with the party that goes
favor OF low tariff, that means Il
wages?
English papers have taken 81
egainst the United States protect
eafid, so have the papers of German
y have the French papers, SO has
0etnocratlc party, and SO do oil v
vote with that party. This is exa,
Dow the matter stands. Let work.
nen stop and think.