The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-08-08

of the many economic questions now agitat-
ing the cjuntry outside of the two old party
lines. Both are trying to cross over 10 a
place of safety on the narrow plank o tariff.
The republicans have advanced 10 the pro-
hibitive line in laying duties on foreign
goods and the democrats have taken up the
position occupied by the republican party
ten years ago. The life and soul of the
democratic party appears to exist in oppO-
sition to the republican party. If the re.
publican party is overthrow by the
opposing elements which are forming Out
side of old party lines, the democrat party
must inevitably disappear. Both parties
are struggling to maintain an existence on
the tariff question alone, and they are both
on the same narrow path. the one little
behind the other. On the financial ques-
ton, which in importance overtops all
others, both parties endeavor to be as near
neutral as, under outside pressure, it is pos.
sible to be, and continuous effort is kept up
to divert public attention and fix it wholly
on the ambiguous tariff question.
That political thimblerig has pretty
nearly had its day, and a free trade party
of the most aggressive kind is rising up
which is making use of the democrat party
TO draw away from it that portion of its
active members who really believe liz the
principle. and they do not hesitate to pro
claim their purpose and show their con-
tempt for the party as at present managed
Both old parties are trying to ride on the
same horse and in that case one mast ride
behind. And a further condition which
attaches to this kind.of equestrian exercise
is that the unhorsing of one is almost sure
to dismount both.
A tariff for revenue only is shadowy
theory which the democrat party processes
to champion. If this theory were possible
in practice it would prove hundred times
worse than absolutely free trade. Tha
policy world tax all raw material imported
and declare free of duty all articles manu-.
featured here. Steel rails would be an i'm
possibility for the foreign ore TO mix will
the domestic oles, would necessarily pay a
duty while the foreign rails would enter
duty free, and have only iron rails 10 com
pete with. The finest wooden goods could
not be made here because the raw woods
necessary to mix with the home grown
article would be dutable while Manufactured
stuff from abroad would enter duty free
Our carpet industry would have no chance
against foreign competition for coarse carpe
woods which largely enter into their produc
tion and are all imported would be taxed
while foreign made carpets would enter
duty free, and taxed raw material carpets
could never compete with the foreign made
Numerous similar instances might be cited
all multiplying proofs that ''tariff fol
revenue only" would so handicap many
lines of manufacturing in this country as tt
make their product impossible. 1t is pllir
enough when sifted to the bottom that the
democrat shibboleth of tariff for revenue
only is a transparent humbug, and the only
logical division is protective tariff VS.. free
trade, and to this complexion must it come
at last, and it is as impossible for either o
the old parties to take mp these positions
as for the African to change his skin or th'
Leopard its spots.