Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-18
Mr.. Blaine on the Reciprocity BIZ.

Mr.. BLAISr's letter TO Mr.. lIorLEY. OF
Ohio. published IN the DIsrArcH Of yestcr-
day is q remarkable document. Instead
OF aiding in the election Of McKrNLRf 1t
ought 70 have the eaec, of opening the
eyes Of the voters Of Ohio 70 the fact that
whatever Is good in the MCKINLEY tariff bill
10 based upon Democratic doctrine.
As we have repeatedly said be-
fore. to advocate reciprocity Is TO
advocate Democratic measure And
II reciprocity treaty with one
country is good thing. reciprocity
treaty with any other country il a good
thing. Why should we go to South Ameri-
ca or the islands of the ocean for friends
with whom TO enter into closer CONNER
cial relations. and no, call upon England
France, Germany, Spain, Austria, or any
other country 10 trade with us on more
liberal terms than We have hitherto ac-
corded to them!
Mr.. BLAINE says all tina. he could say
under the circumstances in AID of the Nc
kINLTY bill. Ito makes the best Of bad
case. He damns that bill with faint praise,
telling how il became a Law IN a much I'm
proved form months after he had described
ii as measure which would not open the
market for another bushcl OF wheat or
another pound OF pork. He tells us. too,
that Cuba and Porto Rico have given US
their -four markets. besides putting nearly
one hundred articles Of American produc-
ton on the free list. But here again Nj.
BLAISE gives himself or his cause away. II
n. Il. sol. %
free trade in thousand articles 10 good.
il tho United States may boast OF having
possession of the -four markets Of Cuba
and Porto Rico. why should not tie United
States Government endeavor so 10 frame
our laws as 10 give Us control OF the mar
Sets oi other countries? There can
be no such thing IS reciprocity
or reciprocal trade unless there are two
parties u il. Nobody knows this faoi
better than Fir. BLAINE. He docs not
argue the Gu stions a. issue IN Ohio or
til us that prohititory or hieh tariffs arc
wise measures. However, we must not
claim him as in favor Of tsrif for reve-
nue.. with protection as incidental. though
we suspec; that he would not as a candI-
date for President OF the United States OBJ
feet very strenuOusly 10 having himself
classed with those members of the Re
publican party who do favor tariff of
that sort.
In word. Mr.. BLAINE's letter is q con-
fcssion that Mr.. MckiSLEY's bill "a it stood
Of the time Mr.. BLAINE spoke slightingly
Of il was not a reciprocity measure at al,
hut a measure entitled TO no support at
the hands Of persons who believed in
revenue tariff. He tells rs how the bill
was improved. but saws never word IN
favor of the bill "a 1t came from the CON-
mittee of the national House Of Repre-
sentatiyes Of which Mr.. MCKINLEY was
the Chairman.
Nr. BLAISE says that other reciprocity
treaties are II progress. AS To this We
may say once more that SO much the worse
Tor Republican teachings and the Repub]i-
can party. Germany removes the prohi-
tition on pork and We in return admit her
sugar free of duty. is that Republican
measure! Nobody can truthfully say SO.
il is, on the contrary. o Democratic mea-
sure pure and simple. If Mr.. CAMPBELL
Is the effective stumper that We take him
60 be Mr.. BLAISE's letter will prove to be
the most effective weapon in his arsenal.
sBefore the MCKINLEY bill was passed,
gays Mr.. BLAINE, large addition was made
% the free list. This is q true statement.
But nobody can argue from the fact stated
that MCKINLEY ought to be elected Cover
nor OF Ohio. On the contrary, the una
yoidable inference from the fact stated is
that CAMrDELL. or some other Democrat,
ought to be elected 10 that Office. Free
trade is an abomin.tlon in the eyes of al
men sound in the Republican faith.
We need not pursue this line of areu-
nert The reader cannot but see for him.
SELF that Mr.. BLAISE's letter ought 10 be
considered, 50 TO speak. Us the tribute
Ehich vice pays 10 virtue-as Republican
confession that Democratic. principles are
sound principles.