The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1891-08-12
Spread ofFree Trade Ideas.

can politics to-day IS the rapid
spread OF free trade ideas. A few
years ago protectiOnism seemed too
deeply intrenched in popular favor
ever to he dislodged. The benefic-
iaries OF our monstrous tariff laws
had succeeded in persuading the
people that this crushing taxation
was actually a blessingto the country
especially to the laboring men,
and against this almost universal
delusion it appeared hopeless to
contend.
But within the last four years
public opinion has undergone won-
derful change in regard to the
tariff, a change that is still going on,
and with increasing rapidity. Men
who were but recently fanatical pro-
tectionists are nov open and uncom-
promising freetraders, advocating
the repeal of every tariff law, and
the closing of every customhOuse.
As evidence of the great revolu-
ton that is breaking up party lines
on this question, we quote from the
IN. Y. Standard, with some slight
abridgment, a letter of A. n. Whit
tington, a member of the Kansas
house of representatives. Up to
the last election Mr.. Wilmington
had been a democrat, but coming
out then as a peoples party candi-
date, he was victorious in a strong
republican county, receiving twice
as many votes as his republican OPP
ponent. Though warned to keep
quiet on the subject Of free trade,
says the Standard, he refused to do
so; and deliberately stalking his elec-
ton on that issue, lie won. In his
letter he says:
LTNcoLS, Kan, July II
Kansas was always a strong repub-
lican state until last fall, thereby in
dOrsing the theory of protection.
In the political campaign that swept
over the state then, money, tariff, and
transportation were the three leading
questions al issue, in the order named.
individually made a free trade cam
paign, holding that the tariff question
was paramount to all others. | still
hold this opinion.
am satisfied that the issue Of free
trade has been gaining in strength all
the time, and that IL must very soon
supersede the others. The most SUR.
prising feature of the matter is the
fact that almost all former republicans
who have joined the Peoples Party
are not tariff irimmcrs, but arc out
and out tree traders.
When such men are met by the
proposition that if they believe ia ta-
riff reduction they ought 10 vote the
democratic ticket, they answer that
being once convinced that the theory
of .'prOtectiOn" is wrong, they do not
want protection in small doses; they
do not want IT all. They say that the
difference between the democratic aud
republican party is so slight that IL
would not justify change. ] am sat
isficd that ifthe people of Kansas were
to vote upon the issue ofprOtectiOn or
free trade tomorrow. free trade would
carry. Not only do I think this so of
Kansas, but of Nebraska aud Iowa as
well.
The people are expecting an advance
step by the leaders Of the democratic
party on this question. II that party
expects any longer to be considered
the champion of tariff reform il will
have to espousc the cause offrec trade.
Democrats of the east need not be
afraid of western sentiment on this
question.
Cleveland is the recognized choice
of the democrats of the west for presi-
dent in '92; no one thinks Of Hill. But
whoever their leader may be they
must take an aggressive position on
the tariff question. The Ohio repub-
licans have the courage of their con-
victions. The Ohio democrats must
be as bold. There is no half way
ground any longer. Let the bold,
clear-cut issue be made. Protection is
either right or it is wrong. ] should
like to see the American people get
down to business on this issue for once.
The west is ready; is the east with us +?
We do not wish to take strychnine ev-
en in small doses, and if protection is
wrong land we think it is), we want
no more of it.
Co.. =. ,,.,,Jo-f,il,, ohoor tho