New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-04
.PEcIPROCITY A REPUBLICAN, POLICY.

RECIPROCITY 4 REPUBLICAN POLICY
One would think from some comments ct our
friends the enemy that the policy OF RECIPROCITY
was of Democratic origin. Tho Democratic
organs are not able to deny that'it is extremely
popular. They Know that it is heartily ap-
moved by multitude Of voters in both parties.
Therefore, being unrestrained by any sense OF
fairness. they endeavor continually to create
the impression that Reciprocity is in some way
hostile to the Protective policy, or involves at
least a partial surrender of that policy, and
that Democrats are passiOnately fond OF it, while
Republican Congressman and officials would de-
feat it. if they could or dared
Yet there has never been a measure more
distinctivey Republican than this. 1t was the
outcome of all international policy first suggest
cd by Secretary Blaine when he was in the
Cabinet of President Garfield. 1t was definite
" proposed by Secretary Blaine in letter which
President Harrison transmitted with official in
dorsement and approval. There has never
been shadow of excuse for pretending as many
Democrats have pretended, that President llar-
rison and Secretary Blaine were at odds on this
subject. Having been proposed by these Re-
publican leaders, the measure was embodied in
a clause of the tariff by the Republican mem
bers of the Senate Finance Committee, was
adopted by the Republican Senate and was
af.erward adopted by Republican House. AT
every step, from it's inception to the final sig
nature Of the bill by the President the meas
ure was supported and carried through by Re-
publicans.
Its execution was intrusted to n Republican
Administration which has by means Of it al
ready secured for the country benefits OF IN
calculable value. In so doing the AdmlnlStra-
ton has made it exceedingly plain to the repre-
sentaliyeS Of other nations that it would not
consent to any weakening or impairment or
surrender Of the Protective policy, but would
grant only SucT reciprocity in trade as is con-
sistent with the best possible defence Of Ameri-
can industries. Because Reciprocity Of the
kind proposed does in fact add to and strength
en- that defence it is favored by the Admlnistra-
ton, as it was authorized by Congress. BY
means of the treaty with Brazil an important
market is opened to American manufactures on
terms so much more advantageous than are
granted to other manufacturing nations that
they have sought though in vain, diplomatic
excuse for protesting against the treaty. The
Spanish treaty will provo equally advantageous
and will give this country great advantages in
trade with Cuba.
Moreover, this Republican policy is 50 appre-
ciated and feared by foreign Powers which
have hitherto controlled the trade of Central
and South America, that formal Populations of
great influence have appealed to the British
and other Governments to devise some mode
Of nrotectng their commerce against this new
American policy The cotton manufacturers OF
Great Britain and those engaged in other great
industries have been told IN reply that the Brit
ISL Government is anxious to do what it can
for their defence, but that it is powerlesS 70
help, excepting by the abandonment of the
Frce-Trade policy, which is not to be c0nsd-
cred. 1t has been frankly admitted by the
British press and by British officials that the
commerce and tho industries Of that nation are
seriously threatened by this aggressive move
ment on the part of the United States, and it IS
even feared that British colonies will them
selves be drawn into a practical alliance with
this Nation, through their desire to share the
advantages offered in this, the greatest and
most profitable market in all the world
The Republican party is entitled to all the
credit FIR this great movement 1t Is the work
of Republicans, from first to last, and IS not
only in perfect harmony with the fiscal polIcy
Of the party. but is most important extension
and br adening Of that policy. Nay more, 1t
would in the very nature of things be an i'm
possible measure for the country if the United
States were not defended in its industries by
Protective Tariff.