The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-28
LESSONS OF HISTORY.
They Furnish No Reasons Why Republicans
Should Desert Protection.

TO the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
Abandoning you principles and the
policy you believe in seems to be recog-
nlzed as orthodox in politics n just the
right thing in some quarters now. Indeed,
not to do so is even reckoned bourbonism.
The New York Herald says now that the
majority has spoken it 10 the duty of all to
help carry out the declarations OF policy
made by the Democratic party. 1t is not o
new thing for the Herald to proclaim the
discovery of q northwest passage, hut it is
q new role for any other paper.
AS early as Ahab the seven thou
sand minority held to their princi-
pies. In our own times the minority
maintained its integrity in 1850. and ten
years later wiped out the slavery then
buttressed by that compromise. To .he
charge of bourbonism, let it be replied that
dllletantism in politics is q good deal
worse. for. while the former had at one
time learned something, the latter 10 with.
out sense.
Recently. in your columns, ! referred
briefly to the political changes from pro-
lection to free trade since 1883, as sho wing
the present one not an exception in our
history, and calling attention to the fact
bhobs Al oA siAo, niotOty kCocACo bn0b
some lessons are learned only by suffer-
ing. For the purpose of further illns-
trating these things. take some noted
periods, and the results both under protec-
ton and free trade. From 1885 to 1873. o
noted and disastrous period of the free
trade policy. the balance of trade against
this country was $3.50, 393, Az. The suffer-
ing and disaster always incident when we
buy more than We sell. swung the country
over TO protection, and under protection,
from 1912 to 1916, tine balance OF trade
in our favor was $50, e49, l23. Ipdustry in
the four years was rapidly recovering.
Then from 1S47 to 1860. under the last period
of free trade. the balance of trade
was against rs to the amount of
S262, 079. 667. So disastrous was it at
the end that the government had
rent expenses. Then came in the present
period of protection, and the balance of
trade in our favor has been billions of
dollars and so great has been the pros
perity and development that the new gen.
GRAFTON that has grown mp under IL cannot
believe that the country was ever in Q bad
condition sunder other policies. The free.
trade theories are pretty and captivating.
Under the splendid conditions Of prosperity
they cannot think that these pretty
theories put into practice could bring dis.
aster. The history of other times seems rs
nothing. Has it not always been so in all
ages and among all peoplesi Some things
are only learned by suffering. The quicker
apprehension in these times. the greater
sensitiveness to shocks, will precipitate q
rapid righting OF things. Therefore there
Will be no more ten-year periods OF free
trade. Like the two on their way to Damas-
Gus. the people will get their eyes open.
and remember thet they were taught these
things. The lessons OF history. though for
gotten for the time. are not wholly lost.
1t is useless to press these historical les
co,atnrtha mat ruv Thav -ae. nn.ar hns
ter presented than in the pastyear. Practical
free trade must cure the fascination for It's
theories. 1t may be worth while. however.
to call attention to the fact that no news
against the Mckinley law has ever
attempted by specification, in q single
particular or item. TO show that the
duty rate was higher on any article i'm
wages abroad and at home,n the pledge of
the Minneapolis platform. There has been
abundant defamation and rant to the
contrary effect. but nobody has gwen fig
ures on a single item of the dutiable list to
The measure of the duties low
led by. the Mckinley Law 10
"the differences between wages
abroad and at home." and the Minneapo-
lis resolution was simply the proclamation
statute.
The country. North at least. is COMING
more and more to believe that. with some
noted exceptions. such as wool. and q few
other items, Mr.. Cleveland will be averse
TO touching the industries now adjusted
TO the new law. He is rcckoned both wiser
and stronger than his party. and without
ambitious motive in the future on party
account, may prefer well-marked lines OF
general prosperity to party advantage on
uncertain ground. This is the hope for
continued prosperity. As stated recently
the Southern demand for the carrying into
effect of pure free trade and other heresies
In finance. 10 sincere aud we'll defined. and
IL Mr.. Cleveland withstands the crack OF
their whip il will be a sin gular and happy
exception in tho line of Democratic Presi-
dents. JNo. b. CONNER.
| INDIANAPOLIS. Nov. &c.