Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-01-09
The Campaign Of Education" or
Free Trade in Disguise, and
the Duty Of Republicans.
Valley virginian.


ocrats, and addressed by ex-President
Cleveland, Congressman W. L. Wilson, Of
west Virginia, John G. Carlisle, and 9TH
ers, was nothing more or less than q
crusade in favor of free trade. In what
ever form the Democratic purpose is cloth
ed, whether In that of "tarff reform"
"tarff for revenue only" or "a campaign
of education," its ultimate purpose is free
trade. Mr.. Mills, OF Texas, we'll defined
the Democratic creed, when he in SUBJ
stance said that any tariff measure pro-
posed by that party was q step towards
free trade. 1t was to "educate" the pub
lie mind in that direction and for that end,
that the New York meeting was held.
1t was to indicate the trend Of the Demo.
cratic party, that Mr.. Cleveland and 9TH
ers spoke.
And what does this Campaign Of edu.
cation" in the interests of free trade,
signify TO the countryi 1t is simply q
proposition to strike down the pillars
which uphold our entire industrial sys-
TEN, ramIfied as it is throughout every
channel and avenue of trade, and to
which the business Of the country has
been adjusting itself for the past thirty
years. 1t is an assault upon the Labor Of
the country whether in shop or field, and
wonld prove as disastrous to the farmers
as it would TO the manufacturers. Il 10
bold, reckless attack upon the forces
and agencies upon which our national
prosperity rests and upon which our
national progress depends. 1t is anti
American in all of it's tendencies. . plot
against the material life of the nation,
and campaign in behalf OF foreign in
terests as against those Of the United
States. 1t is protest against the policy
that has made this country the most ros'
porous, progressive and wealthy on the
globe-hao established our workshops on
our own soil, instead of upon foreign
soil has given to American labor remun'
erative employment instead of foreign
labor; built up a home market which
consumes 90 per cent. of the produ ,tions
of our farmers, and has elevated and
strengthened American character, Amer.
lean institutions, and American citi'
zenship. 1t is the policy that pre-
sents such achievements as its tro-
plies that this Dmocratic Education
al" crusade is designed to strike down.
and build upon its ruins a policy that
would of necessity bring about results
just the reverse.
The meeting in New York WAS Motif.
cation to the country that the campaign
for 1892 has been opened, and that it 10 to
be conducted upon the lines of Clevelsnds
free trade message of 1883. 1t was An
announcement that the Democratic party
intends to attempt to force the British
free trade policy upon the people OF this
country-to destroy the system that has
opened our mines, built up our furnaces
and factories, and given employment to
our people that our whole industrial
fabric IS to be undermined. and our work
shops and factories transferred TO foreign
countries.
In the presence OF tuch a menace,
what is the duty of Republicans in Virgin
ia and everywhere else The very ma
terial life of this State is involved in the
issue that has been thrust upon the peo-
pie. Not only Republicans who believe
in the policy of protection for projections
sake, but many calling themselves Demo-
Gratis, who repudiate and scorn the Glove
land idea of free trade, should recognize
that great peril is threatened. and that
there is but one way to meet 1t, and that
is at tie polls and vote it down. To this
end, all past differences Of . merely per-
sonal or non-essential nature should be
ignored, and united front be pre-
sented to the bold, daring challenge,
of the projectors of this so.called cam
paign of education!" That majority OF
the people of Virginia are opposed to the
free trade idea of Mr.. Cleveland, and in
favor of protection to American interests
and American labor, we have not the least
doubt The duty now is to crystalline
this sentiment-give it force and SUBJ
stance, and 80 present it that every friend
of American labor, and American pro-
gress, shall recognize his interest in sup
porting it.
To effect this object, those who have
differed as to immaterial considerations,
should come together, and forgetting the
passions and accrblties OF the past, rise
to the importance of the issue and the
magnitude of the danger, and present
solid front to free trade, whether it comes
in The shape of tarff reform, tariff for
revenue only, tariff for revenue with in
cidental protection, or as an educational
device to deceive the people.
Especially let the Republicans Of Vir-
CANA utbtImluC thci
shall be of the past-that whatever sac.
rifice of personal feeling and prejudice
may be necessary, to make it freely, and
thus show that they regard principle as
paramount to non essential interests,
and are ready to march shoulder to
shoulder for the maintenance Of the pro-
tective policy, as that in which the well
fare of their State is directly and vitality
involved.
To the people of Virginia the protective
principle is of more Importance than the
Election bill, the silver bill, or any other
measure that has been introduced in
Congress. 1t intimately relates to the
material life of the State. 1t 10 the source
of the development that is now going on,
and must be tho inspiring influence that
will direct and stimulate Whatever Of
forts we put forth to expose the fabulous
notiva waalth of fha Common wealth II