The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-25
M,K,ytry.s WORCESTER SPEECH.

A few days ago President Harrison. in nm
interview with representative of the New
York Tribune. very solemnly deprecated all
further agitation Of the tariff question until
the character Of the Mckinley bill had been
fully tested by its practical operations.
Without considering the point that it is
entirely 20 the interest of Mr.. Harrison and
the Republican party that the tariff shall not
be eritated at all, either now or in the future
il is interesting TO note that Mr. Mckinley
himself. the principal author of the measure
which Mr.. Harrison is so anxious to remove
from the field of public controversy. as recently
as Monday evening delivered speech in
Worcester. Massachusetts,, in defense Of the
extreme principles of protection. TO which he
has devoted his political life. II is very plain
from the tone of this speech that lie is not
disposed to think that the tariff will be
allowed to be relegated to the position Of
settled question even for a time.
On the contrary. he showed in every line OF
his address. in the aggressive attitude which
he assumed from beginning to end; that he
clearly recognized that so far from the Nc
Element of the tariff agitation. it marks only
the most heated stage Of the discussion; that
for all practical purposes it is the final gage OF
a battle which will only end with the COM
plete overthrow Of one or the other partici-
pants
Mr.. Mckinley revealed his political shrewd-
ness in taking this view. The depreciation of
the tariff issue by Mr.. Harrison is either the
subterfuge Of politician who sees in it an OBJ
struction to his ambition TO continue in power
or mere short-sightedness that is unable to
follow the logical course of events.
Mr.. Mckinley is clearly right. The conflict
il an irresistible one and has TO be fought out
10 the bitter end On the very day that he
delivered his address on the tariff at Worces-
ter. Mr.. Cleyeand's letter to the Indiana
Tariff Reform League was given TO the public.
IF the farmers lot =" he wrote, 'is n hard one
in his discouraging struggle for better rewards
Of his toll are the prices of his products to be
improved by a policy which hampers trade
in his best markets and invites the competi-
ton Of dangerous rivas2 The continued and
earnest advocacy Of the tariff principle il
our cOuntrymen."
The continued and earnest advocacy Of the
tariff principle is the key note Of the future.
Republican Presidents may condemn asita-
ton Of the subject. and members Of the Re
publican party may seek to divert public at
tention from it, but it will be in vain The
Democratic party, stimulated by the prospect
Of certain victory in the next national CAM
paign. will renew the contest which ended in
their signal triumph in the fall of 1890. Al
ready there are many indications that the
tariff agitation will in the course Of the next
campaign be carried TO pitch Of excitement
which has never before been witnessed in the
history of this country when an economic
question alone was concerned. Already this
agitation has begun, and the Republican lead
ers are being drawn into it in spite Of their
earnest desire 10 suppress all further public
debate upon the issue involved.