Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-06-06
r,a Damocrat Victory of Last No
vember was not Victory
for Free Trade.
party Managers Greatly Alarmed
at the Reckless Declare
tious Of the Organs.
D B. Hill Gives the Cue to The
Followers, but Apparently
Too Late.

victory for free trad as such. 1t was a
triumph of lying The primal, funda-
mental he was the idea instilled into the
ropular mind that tariff reform is not
nee trade. The approximate lie to which
The result of the November election was
Immediately due was the Mckinley prices
humbug.
The victory was so overwhelming on the
side Of the foes of protection, that in the
eyuberance of their great joy, they forgot
that il was a victory for free trade only be-
cause the people did not know that they
were voting for that policy. A triumph
for free trade as such at the polls, is an
event unheard of in American politics.
and the people are just as far from it to-
day as they ever were. Mugwumps and
other theorists may construe the victory
as an endorsement of Cobdenism, but the
shewd practical politicians, who are in
touch with the peple and have accurately
gagged popular sentiment on the tariff,
know better.
The democratic party managers realize
how hopeless must be their fight, if made
on an openly avowed free-trade platform.
They are therefore alarmed at the boldness
Of the party organs since last November
in claiming the victory for free trade, and
openly advocating ITS principles. Already
the note of warning has been sounded by
that shrewdest of politicians, Governor d.
B. Hill of Nav York He was invited TO
attend the :ee-trade mass meeting recent
by held in New York City, but declined
the Invitation on the ground that he had
no sympathy with the proposed meeting.
u am no advocate of free-trade," he
said "and never have been. They
greatly mistake public sentiment he
continues who assume TO construe the
revolution last autumn at the polls as
popular manifestation in favor of radical
tariff legislation The following para.
graph closes the letter:
LAS democrat | must respectfully de-
cline to support any movement, no matter
by whom instigated or championed, hay
ing for its purpose the adoption of any
such suicidal policy as is sought to be pro-
NOTED by the meeting to which you invite
me. In my opinion such movement only
embarrass and endsnger the cause of tarlE
reform
Governor Hill know how fondly hum
dreds of thousands OF democrats cling to
the protectionist sentiments of Jefferson
and jackson. He simply voiced the senti-
ment Of the northern democracy IN repu-
dating free trade But unfortunately.
the policy of his party is dictated by men
who are bound by tradition to the
free trade doctrine Of Cllhoun the Milses
and the Carislas and the Breckenridges
were the real authors of Mr.. Cleveland S
free trade message Its issue was the
price he paid the nominating solid south
for q denomination. The most they would
e1naade to the northern democrats was
that the real aim Of the message should be
concealed under the lying label of tariff
reform Since the endorsement of that
message and its author by the democracy,
the free trade wing OF the party has been
mg5ntrol. They have pushed forward
II tla.r radical tariff policy with so much
arlar hat the protectionists in the party
could find no hearing, but were forced to
drift with the free trade current, trying to
ease their consciences in the meantime
with the assurance that the policy for
which they strove was only harmless
reform Of the tariff
As time went on, free-trade leaders
gradually lost the caution which had for
marIy characterized their tariff utterances
leading party organs assume! an attitude
OF hostility to protective tariffs OF any
kind, and met protectionist arguments by
the bafdest 9free-trade theorizing Pro-
tectionist democrats of the Randall school
have grown more and more FESTIVE under
the arrogant rule of their free-trade lead
ers and even in the south there has set in,
consequent on the development Of her
great mineral resources, a Revision
agalnt the OLD fogy free-trade ideas whose
enactment into law must prove fatal to the
south newborn industries Moreover, the
-l..
1auty Of the Mckinley bill. They note
lla new tin plate mills the new wooden
mills the linen mills. the plush mills and
tle reyivication,of many other branches Of
Industry, which is Enthusiastically due to
l1e Mckinley bill In the wake of the
gaupaIgn cry abOu. Mckinley prices
they have seen nearly all kinds Of family
supplies selling cheaper under the new
IMAM uhder the old tariff. They realize
what the outcome of tue revulsion against
ampaign lies must be unless the party
gas on the tariff. Hence Governor
H.. etter.
Hat we fear that it Is too late. Free
tars are in command Of the democratic
10 who are almost fanatical in their
enthusiasm for free-trade From present
4|Ieatlons they will pass Governor Hill
ger signal with ayerted eyes and bitter
r.ence must come to teach them how
wise bis warning was
Whatever the outcome, protectionist
democrats cannot be accused Of disloyalty
a.Aocracy if they refuse 10 support a
.5lE policy opposed 70 the teachings Of
74elr most revered lerders Of the past.
~ aen the battle is on we will welcome
.1-a INTO the protectlonst ranks and as
.ectlonlsts. not as republicans, we will
.-aea politicians Of every stripe that no
f.y can win by lighting under the ban
4E q the Golden club We will leave
.A- lesson as a sign post for posteritv, so
those who come after US may know
al the American policy Of protection il
sacred Institution.
AS Our Neighbors see a..