The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-10-08
1.-THE SPECrER OF IMPOSSIBLE FREE
TRADE

Chauncy Black, whose only distinction
is the fact that he is the son of the late
| jeremiah Black. set his mouth agoine
| the other day in New York on the tariff
/ question. Mr. Black has the hardiiood
| TO pronounce the protective tariff system
unconstitutional and to qrote among
other names in confederation of this
| view that of General jackson. The fact
is no distinguished name can properly
be cited If support of this position prior
! to Calhoun, and his conversion from the
protective theory was due to his strict
construction Of the constitution, leaving
almost every substantial government au-
/ thority in the states. and his devotion
to the cause of slavery. The
south with slave labor would
become the great producing region
of cotton. She needed DO high priced
skilled labor, only the rude unskilled
work to be done by slaves. But jackson
| could never be said to be in sympathy
with Calhoun. Calhoun resigned the
vice presidency owing to his disagree
ment with jackson, which was partly
over the protective tariff of which Cal
/ noun complained. Jackson said dis
tinctly that the theory that denied the
constitutionality Of protective tariff
would rob "our political system of the
right to foster their own industry and TO
counteract the most selfish and destruc-
tive policy which might be adopted by
foreign nations. This surely cannot be.
This indispensable power thus surren-
dered by the states must be within the
ncope of the authority-ou the subject
expressed-aelegated by congress"
Dir. Black goes on to say that this
great party, from jefferson to Cleveland,
has been with the Chicago platform and
against protection because uuconstitu-
tional. "Our trade, like our speech, our
press, our persons, is of right
free. The first Democratic
platform declared for free trade with
all nations, entangling alliances with
none and the Chicago platform-the
last Democratic platform-agaln in
vokes the solemn obligations of the con-
stitution" for the freedom of trade.
Chauncev says Cleveland is a free
trader Does he know whereof he
speaks? Cleveland says he only objects
to unfair discrimination In the levy Of
tariffs, from which we infer that pro-
teetive tariff which discriminatei fairly
would meet his approval. eve believe that
a readlustment can be accomplished
in accordance with the principles we
profess without disaster or demolition"
Does Mr.. Cleveland believe that free
trade would bring disaster and denoli-
ton: Apparently so. Mr. Cleveland
goes on TO say that he anticipates with
calmneSs the Misrepresentation of
motives and purposes by men who
charge him and his party of being
free-traders and by that means planning
the destruction OF American industries.
Our fellow countrvmen," lie adds, "can-
not be frightened by the spec,er Of i'm
possible free trade" Who is right: Mr..
Cleveland who says free trade is impessi-
bic, or Mr.. Black who says the first TO
The last Democratic platform, and Demo-
cratic statesman from jefferson to Cieve-
land are.for free trade with all nations:
The American people Ike cour#gS.
The Republican party places Itself
squareiy In favor OF a protective tariff,
but the Democratic party has not Tie
courage to take the opposite view.