The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-03
Is PROTECTION UNCONsTITUTIoNAL,

In his mastery address at the Chau-
tauqua grounds in Beatrice, Nebraska,
yesterday afternoon, Gov. Mckinley
handled without gloves that plank Of
the Chicago platform which, following
the Confederate constitution, attacks
the constitutionality of protection.
A policy which is as old as the
government a policy which was
recognized in the second act
passed by the first Congress of
the United States, many of whose
members had helped to frame the con-
stitution and were fresh from the delib-
erations which resulted in the promul-
CATION of that great instrument, needs
no defense even at the able and the loyal
hands of Gov. Mckinley.
Cleveland is not a better constitu-
tional lawyer than Jefferson, Villas is
not more learned than Madison, Waiter
son is not more profound than Clay
nor is Adlai Stevenson clearer ex-
FOUNDER of the great principles upon
which our Government rests than was
Andrew Jackson. Yet, Mckinley has
rendered the Democracy service by
quoting to it in the summer Of its intes-
final disturbance and Generalization
this trenchant passage from the message
of Andrew jackson, dated December Z,
1880. Jackson said:
The object of the tariff Is objected to by
some as unconstitutional. The power to
impose duties on imports originally be-
longed to the several States. The right
to adjust those duties with view to the
encourag cement of domestic branches OF
industry is so completely identical with
that power that it Is difficult to suppose
the existence of the one without the
other. The States have delegated their
authority over imports to the general
government without Limitation or restric.
ton, saving the very inconsiderable reser-
vation relating to their inspection laws.
This authority having entirely passed
from the States. the right TO exercise it
for the purpose Of protection does not
exist in them, and consequently, IL IL be
not Possessed by the general govern n ent. .
1t must he extinct. Our political system
would thus present the anomaly of a peo-
pie stripped of the right to foster their
OWL luuuStTltS, anu W tOuuttTdCt Tue
most selfish and destructive policy which
might be adopted by foreign nations
This surely cannot be the case this indis-
pensable power. thus surrendered by the
| States, must be within the scope of the
authority on the subject expressly dele
| gated TO Congress.
In this conclusion 1 am confirmed by
the opinions OF Presidents Washington, !,
Jefferson, Madison and Monroe. VINO nave
| each repeatedly recommended the exer-
| else of this right, under the Constitution,
ms by the uniform practice OF Congress,
the continued acquiescence of the States
and general understanding Of the people.
This is the old Democracy. The free
trade Chicago platform represents the
new Democracy, dominated by the
Bourbons. destitute of patriotism, and
devoid of the common sense that should
teach 1t at least to avoid aping the doc.
trines and even the phrases of the i'm
strument that went down before the
rcsistless armies of the Union, com.
manded by Grant and Sherman.
Protection violates jefferson Davis
constitution: but we are living under
the constitution of Washington and Lin.
coin. Hamilton aud Madison, Jefferson