Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-28
49, So


the club, whom I value Is friends and
respect as citizens, impels me 10 say
that my act is based on political and not
personal grounds.
Since my boyhoOd I have worked and
acted with the Republican party. Other
issues thar the tariff were important and
they controlled my political action. For
years the tariff was justified as a mere
temporary fiscal policy created by the
necessities of the country. When the
necessity ceased then the policy was TO
cease. This was repeatedly declared by
Republican publciSts and statesmen
and was announced by Republican Pres
idents in important state papers. This
sentiment was approved by the best ele-
ment Of the party as expressed sby its
leaders and reflected by its journals.
Gradually that sentiment has changed.
The, larif is no longer a fiscal expedi-
ent. Mt is a permanent policy. A great
political party has finally adopted the
Drin Elple that our nation can tax Itself
RE
u political party crystallizes opinion
inn doctrine and organizes that doc
trl1e into law. When, therefore, a sup
liter Of a party finds his opinion com
psetely az variance with his party asso-
Aates, a decent regard for them should
require careful re-eXaminatiOn OF his
opinion, and if after such re-eXamintion
his opinion be unchanged, 10 becomes
his imperative duty 70 be true 20 his
convictions and follow whereSoever
they lead The time 70 declare my OPP
posing conviction comes when the Re-
publican party is in power in the ma
Dion, State, county, city, even the very
precinct in which ! reside
The protective tariff, 10 is cOntended,
fosters american" industry and pro-
tects "American" labor. The word
american" appeals to a fine sentiment
in every patriotic breast. The attract
i've word is now applied 10 protection
ssan American SYSTEM as something
peculiar 60 a country that is great, gIO-
rious and free, when in sober truth and
solemn fact this system has az one time
or another afflicted neaaiy every mod
ern civilized nation. And from time
10 time as enlightenment and education
tame this american" system was dis
carded by European nations and 10 be-
came an eCOnomi ialiacy, detected and
exposed. America will yet see that
protection under other Governments
waNadv0cated as peculiarly English
svssall" or was enacted 20 promote
French INDUSTRIES etc, as the case
might be, long before the question be-
came Of importance In our own day.
To those who believed that a high
\ tariff was only justified by financial
lstress the answer of the organized party
lis the original Mckinley bill, so called.
"a bill, " said MI Blaine, (which will
not open a market for an additional
barrel OF pork or an additional buShel
of wheat"
We were told protection as policy
would foster and develop American in
FAINT industries" Tnder this influence
"inrant industries assume gigantic
proportions, WELD enormous powers,
control courts, debauch legislatures and
corrupt the people.
When shall we end this period Of in
fancy? Shall il end when the corrupt
course of "Infant Industries swollen
into trusts and monopolies operating on
all the pie shall destroy civic pride
nd honor. and America, fallen
nigh state among nations, shall
mpletely rotten even before 10 is
ipe?
are also that protective tariff
necessary % protect American labor
the comDttit.Ou Of "the pauper la
NJ Europe The nation was asked
er tremendous taxation that Amer
lrkmen might live In comparative
G, receiving fair wages for free
ependent labor. Our patriotic
obly responded and vigorously
sac themselves with taxes. To
what id? Wages In protected
industl. s were from time TO time re-
duced. AStrikeS resulted. The "pauper
labor ofEurope' was cOloniZed TO takO
the place of labor that refused starva-
zion wages while monumental fortunes
we're amassed Now the imported la
Dor strikes in turn and recourse is had
10 hired hordes OF aSsaSSinS. Strange
protection" this, But we are told that
a manufacturer has a right TO do as he
pleases.
VERY well, let him do so. But Leu
him not ask for special legislation help
ing him and hurting his ueighbOr.
Above all, let him clear his mind from
ant Let him not pirate on the tri-
mphs of democracy and the virtue Of
objection 70 American labor while he
,oncocting schemes TO cut wages and
butcher those who resist. ~
BY the tariff the government has, in
feet, formed a partnership with GER
.ain trades TO the end that capital shall
nav higher wages 20 labor in order 70
be freed from competition. The gov
eminent has lived up to this agreement. |
CAPITAL has refused 10 carry out its
oSN OF the compact.
Under these conditions colossal for /
tunes accumulate that menace the /
safety OF the republic. TIE credulity /
of patriotism yet believes that capital |
will pay more than the lowest market |
rate of wages In return for a tariff.
We are told, as well by those who |
de that a tariff with incidental /
ion should bear some relation 70 /
SEES OF government admins /
economy that, while the |
high, yet it should be /
friends"
sion mean? Is it pro- /
uding toward eXclu- /
% are or may be /
nerica? Does IL |
nd reckless eX- !
20 consume a 4
IS reyisiORby |
'evisiop/ %
act2