The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-17

ness Questions
Special Dhpdtch TO he Iateaigeneer
DAVIS, W. VA; Sept. l6.-Hon. S. B.
Elklns, secretary OF war; opened the
Republican campaign here tonight
with a speech which will prove valu-
able campaign document, on account OF
the fact that it was thorough and UNI
answerable discussion OF every issue OF
vital Importance involved in the cam
paign.
Secretary Elkins has about recovered
from tho severe attack OF illness which,
much to his regret, prevented him from
filling his engagements at Charleston
and Huntington earlier in the week,
and delivered his address with his
usual vigor. He was enthusiastic
ally greeted by one OF the largest
crowds OF people ever gathered at u
political meeting, and when the hour
arrived for the meeting he had every
reason to congratulate himself on the
splendid deception he received. The
Republicans in this section OF the state
are thoroughly aroused this wear and
there will be a big increaae in the vote.
Following is the full text OF Mr.. I'll.
kins' address:
SECRETARY ELKIEs' SPEECH.
In1S60, after long years Of Democratic
rule and partial free trade, such as that
party now wants, the government found
itself nearly bankrupt, without credit
with an empty treasury, its obligations
selling below par, and its laws detied.
The power of the government to pre-.
serve its own existence was doubted by
some and denied by many. Through
out the country business was Frustrated,
trade and commerce languished, money
was scarce, and property OF all kinds,
when sold, brought less than its value.
Mr.. Buchanan, the last Democratic
President since then, with the exception
Of Mr.. Cleveland, in his annual message,
in speaking OF that free trade period,
uses these words:
"With unsurpassed plenty in all the
elements OF national wealth, our manu-.
factories have suspended, our public
works are retarded, our private enter
prises OF different kinds are abandoned,
and thousands OF useful laborers are
thrown out OF employment and reduced
to want"
Could official utterances be stronger?
The Democratic party made no effort
to arrest this swelling tide OF trouble
and disaster that swept over the coun-
try, nor took steps to assert the nation
alsupremacy.
THE MORRILL, TARIFF BILL
The Republican party came into pow
er under these trying circumstances, in
heriting all these unfortunate condi-
tons, and standing in the presence of
civil war the like OF which was never
known in the history OF civilization.
The first duties which it was called
upon to perform was to restore financial
credit and confidence, to help trade and
commerce, take measures to enforce the
laws and prevent the destruction of the
Union. Among other laws passed by
the first Republican Congress for these
purposes was what is known as the
"Morrill Tariff Bill" The government
was face to face with crisis that called
for all of its efforts to preserve its own
existence. Vast sums Of money had to
be found. Armies had to be raised, fed
and clothed. In order to do all OF these
things a tax was levied on nearly every
thing that could be taxed. The Morrill,
tariff was an extreme measure, but it
was made to meet an extreme Casa
great emergency. In passing it the Re-
publicans were inspired by lofty sense
Of patriotism, were animated by one
great purpose-to keep us one people
under one flag, and to save to us and to
our children's children the Union OF
our fathers. Our ability to preserve the
Union was due mainly to this great bill,
because it, more than all other things,
provided the means to accomplish this
result. Republicans, however, "builded
wiser than they knew" in passing this
measure.
RESULTS OF THE MORRILL, TARIFF.
Under it they not only raised vast
sums to meet the wants OF the govern
ment in its hour of greatest danger and
peril, but incidentally it afforded the
protection to American industries un-
der which our great mills and manu-
featuring plants have been established,
and coal and iron mines have been
opened all over the country, and at the
end OF thirty years, under the workings
OF the protective system, the United
States stands the richest country in the
world, her people the most prosperous
and contented; leading the nations OF
the earth in agriculture, manufacturing
and mining-that trinity Of wealth upon
which trade and commerce depend.
REDUCTION OF TAXES ny THE REPUBLICAN,
PARTY.
Since the war, nearly thirty years,
the Republican party has moved for
ward in the direction OF modifying the
tariff and reducing taxation. This re-
duction and modification have gone on
wisely and as the needs OF the govern
ment required. We have now reached
point in the reduction of duties when
more than one-half, or 80 per cent OF
all the foreign goods and products inn
ported from other countries is admitted
free Of duty. The amount OF tax we
now collect on foreign goods brought
here and sold in competition with
10 H. 4, 4.