The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-25
SEATTLE. FRrDAT. SEPT. 20.
THE DEMOCRATIC MISSIONARIES.

last evening were weak enough 10 repeat
the stale falsehood concerning "a billion
dollar congress" The fact is that the
last congress did not appropriate any
more money for the administrative pur-
poses of the government, notwithstanding
the growth of the country, than did the
preceding congress. Whatever small in
crease there was in the appropriations was
for public improvements-the navy. rivers
and hsrbors-which were supported by
both parties, and Oregon aud Wash
ington are not good states to de-
nounce increased appropriations for such
objects. With the navigation of
the Columbia river to be perfected from
Astoria to the mouth of Snake river; with
the mouth Of the Columbia and Puget
sound absolutely defenseess, neither
Washington or Oregon are good states to
reiterate unjust partisan criticism of the
liberality of the last congress, which in
every instance was supported by both
parties save in the matter of the dependent
pension bill. and even that bill received
the vote of many Northern Democrats.
The Democratic missionaries denounced
the Mckinley tariff, which has reduced
the surplus revenue $50, 0O0, 900 year; has
transferred European industries to Ameri-
can soil; has cheapened sugar and other
everyday necessities of life; has brought
prosperity to American manufactures,
protected American agriculture from
Canadian competition, and has increased
our foreign trade to the largest proper
tions. These Democratic missionaries
either denounce the reciprocity clause
of the Mckinley law as ga humbug,"
or describe it as Democratic doctrine, and
inquire why not unlimited reciprocity
with the great commercial nations of the
world as well as limited reciprocity with
the South American states. These Demo-
Gratis do not see that they are as weak In
crying for free trade or unlimited recipro-
city as they are for free silver. Limited
reciprocity between the South American
states and our country in the matter OF
non-competing products is one thing,
while unlimited reciprocity with Canada,
our competitor, would rob our Northern
farmers on the frontier of all protection
against Canada's cheaper labor.
The trouble is that the Democrats are
treating the tariff as if it was hard and
last theory OF protection VS.. free trade
The Republicans treat the enactment of
free trade and free silver as impracticable
and inexpedient under the existing con-
ditions. We grant reciprocity where we
can do 1t to our advantage, and we refuse
1t when II IS to our advantage TO do so.
1t Is mere question of practical expe-
diency. Because We have placed sugar on
the free list is no reason for placing wool
on the free list. and because we grant reci-
proeity to non-competing country like
Brazil Is no reason for granting it to a COM
petitor like Canada. Under the reciprocity
provision of the Mckinley law the ports of
Brazil, Cuba and Porto Rico have
been opened to the fuller admission of the
products and manufactures of our farms.
factories. etc. and 1.-THE German re-
striction on the American hog products
removed, thereby increasing our foreign
export trade millions of dollars annually.
The opening of Germany and Denmark to
our pork products has lifted the price of
pork half a dollar barrel The mills ana
factories are all running, while in Europe
they are either closed or closing up. Mill
ions of men are idle IN Europe: there is an
unprecedented rush of immigrants to the
United States. Manufactured products
are cheaper than ever before. Some farm
products are dearer because of the extraor-
binary foreign demand for them. but the
aggregate cost of living has not increased.
The tariff has not diminished exports.
for prior 10 the failure Of crops in Europe
the exports Of this country were larger
than ever before. The tariff has not made
wool or other materials more costly for
manufacturers, but it has stimulated new
development Of industries generally The
tariff question is taking care of itself The
ptifui appeals Of Senator Esheiman 10 the
Farmers Alliance Republicans 10 vote the
Democratic ticket. and his moving picture
Of the poor, down-trodden farmers is
ludicrouSiy out OF date. The farmers in
Kansas have paid oil their MORTGAGES
rapidly this year from the profits of last
year; the Republicans of Kansas decline
90 haul down their dag TO capture the
feferites; Nebraska declines TO declare
for free silver, and there is no state west of
the Mississippi hitherto counted as Re
Publican that is likely TO 10 Democratic in
lS92.
Democratic Missionary Bynum was
Ehrewd enough not TO declare for free ST.
yer. The Democrats of the East have Tins
far declared against free silver in New
York. Pennsylvania, Maryland and MaSsa-
chusetts and there is not the slightest
doubt that the Democracy of the Atlantic
sea board states are all against free silver.
The Democracy at the South and West
have declared for free silver" but with
the prospect Of the loss Of all the doubtful
states of the East. it is not yet certain that
the National Democracy viii declare for
free silver in iS92 The fact that ex- Presi.
dent Cleveland cannot speak for his party
ticket in Ohio. while he could speak for it
in New York, shows how divided in onin-
ion are the Eastern and Western Demo-
cracy upon free silver. Neither Washing