The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-13
A VOICE FROM THE TOMB.
Major McKinley's Zeal for Pro-
lection Has Not Abated in
the Least.
He Attempts q Reply to Cleve-
lands Speech at the Thur
man Banquet.


TOLEDO, Feb. 12.-LiEcoln's birthday WAS
chosen for the fourth annual convention OF
the Ohio League Of Republican clubs, and
the session was held in this city. The
event OF the occasion WAS the banquet in
Memorial hall tonight. Three hundred
guests we're present. including many men
OF national repute. Congressman Ashley
responded to the toast, abraham Lin
colin" Hon. William Mckinley responded
TO the toast. IAN American tariff for Amer
ican people" His address was openly q
reply TO ex-President Clevsland's address
At tho Thurman banquet last November.
II was, he said, gratifying to the friends
Of protection to have that eminent demo-
cratic leader make an open confession OF the
purposes which he and his party associates
aim TO accomplish by free trade
tariff. Assigned to respond to the inspiring
sentiment, American citizenship" he
made ~choapness tho theme Of his discourse.
His avowaI was only that which protection
lists have always claimed to he the inevitable
tendency of his tsriff policy. which exalts
cheap goods from abroad above good wages
at home. The tariff reformer gravely asks
why vi want manufactur ing establish
ments in United States when We can buy
CUT KUOuo III FIJI uS GIfCND no We
can manufacture them at home. if not
cheaper! The masses Of tho people are in
no temper for such suggestions. and will
never consent to the Inauguration OF u
policy which will scale down their
wages and render il harder to obtain the
necessaries Of life. The "cheap coats" to
which the gentleman is SO much attached
do not tempt them. for many remember
that in the previous free trade eras Of our
history they were too poor to buy them at
any price. Is American manhood to be de-
graded that merchandise may be cheap?
robbery Of labor. are not the chief objects
Of American civilization. We scorn cheap
coats upon any such terms or conditions.
They are nasty at such q price.
The gentleman who is now go insistent
for the cheap necessaries of life while in
Office and clothed with authority was I'M
willing that sugar, an article OF prime ne
cessity TO every household, should come IN
taxed to tho American people. When it
wss known that it was an annual burden
den pom them OF $~G0,000,t0), he stood then
as the urcompron.ising friend of dear
z for the masses. During his term
he was d~ishonoring and d~iscrediting
silver and enhancing the price Of gold.
He endeavored even before his inauguration
to stop the coming Of silver dollars, and
Afterwards and to the end of his admins
trstion persistently used his POWER to that
end. lie would nave Increased the value
of money and diminished the value of ev-
erything else. Money. the master Of every
thing. was its servant. Was there ever
more giaring inconsistency or reckless as
SUMPTION?
The tariff reformer has, i'll his wild costa
cy over he so-calied victory. been betrayed
into the avowal Of his real design. He be-
lieyes poverty in T. blessing to be promoted
and encouraged, and that the shrinlage
III value of everything but money is u ma
tional benedt. He nc Longer conceais his
love for cheap merchandise, even though it
entails the beating down Of the price of Ia
Dor and curtaiis the comforts and op,or-
tuiiifies OF the masses. those who advo-
cafe duties solely for revenue see only as q
result cheaper prices, which are but tenn
porary at best. and dc not see the other
side, lower wages. cheaper labor, agticul-
tul al depression and general distress.
Mr.. Mckinley went on to culo-
gize the protective system and said
If this policy is TO be re-
versed it must be done, not by
the clamor of Misrepresentation. not by
schoolmen and theorists. but after the fullest
discussion and investigation by the sober
and intelligent Judgment of a minority of
constitutionaliy registered voters. The
only menace to our advancement and PROS
perity, to our wage.earners ans farming
interests. il the party pledged to repeal orr
new lawa and the substitution of the British
system in its place. Free and full discus
sion will avert the danger. Nothing else
will.