New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-21
WHERE THE CHOICE LIES.

There il 4 Characteristic difference between
the general appeals made by tho two great
parties for popular support this year. Repub-
licanism stands for American principles which
have been satisfactorily tested by National eX-
perience. Protection Is no longer theory
it Is q demonstrated condition of National pros
perity and industrial development In the
times Of Hamilton and Clay the argument In
favor of industrial independence and high
| tariff was largely based on assumptions which
had not been proved. During the last thirty
years American experience has supplied the
proof The United States under Protection
has established manufactures, diversified In
dustries, and made advances in material pros
perity on a scale unknown elsewhere IN mod
ern times. To this experience Republicanism
confidently appeals in justifying the mainte-
nance and development of American principles
of Protection.
Democracy cannot dispute the material facts
Of unexampled National progress under the ex-
isting economic policy; but it undertakes 10
provide for the country larger measure OF
prosperity under o lower tariff Offering an in
ferior degree of protection against foreign in
dustries and European labor 1t demands an
abatement of tho extreme doctrine OF Protec-
ton as successfully taught and practised dur
ing the last three decades. 1t advocates an
abandonment of the American principles OF
Hamilton, Clay and Greeley. 1t contends
that, wonderful as have been the achievements
of the Nation in debt-paying and extraordinary
az is the industrial development East, west
and South, progress would have been more
remarkable If the economic system had been
less American and more English in its prln-
cipes. Its appeal to the country against Re-
publicanism and Protection is grounded, not on
American experience during the last thirty
wears, but on English experience under Free
Trade
Let it be conceded that English prosperity
under Free Trade has been very great, not
withstanding the ruin of its agricultural indus
tries, the restitution and low wages prevailing
in manufacturing centres, and tie compulsory
emigration of hundreds of thousands of artisans
and laborers. Does it follow that English ex-
perience is more valuable than American ex-
perience in determining the future policy OF
the United States? Let it be granted that
Free Trade has been successful in England
owing to its insular position limited area and
shipping facilities as the centre OF world
wide Empire. Does it follow that the same
policy, or any approach to it, is to be favored
in the United States with its continental do
main and the diverse conditions of its indus
trial development? Are American principles
to be abandoned in the light of English ex-
periencep Or is American experience to be
made the ground for continuing and perfcctin9
an economic system under which unexampled
progress has been achieved?
Republicanism in the approaching elections
stands for principles which have been tested Oh
American soil Democracy finds its iustilics-
ton for English theories in the facts of Eng
lish experience That is one of the chief dis
tnctions between the policies recommended by
the rival groups of political leaders in Con-
gross. The triumph of Democracy will be
recognized abroad as victory for English in
dustrial interests. The reelection of Re-
publican Congress will be victory for Anerl-
can ideas, and will be followed by lamentation
throughout England What Americans are
now called upon to decide for themselves is
whether their own principles and experience
are not worth more to them than another ma
| TONS theory and practice.