Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-10-19
A Moral Revolt.

| EX-Secretafy BAY ara, having III view
| the declarations CT Judge Gresham
| and ex-AttorneyGeneral MacVeagh
that they will in the coming presi-
Dental election vote the democratic
ticket, makes the apt remark that
these conversions are due to feeling
that is becoming general that the pro
morally wrong. "These two Instan-
ces," says MI. Bayard, "exhibit the
moral revolt that is going on in the
minds of patriotic citizens all over the
| land, and what they say will find an
echo in the breasts of thousands and
| what they do will lie followed by
abundant imitation among their
countrymen."
The want of conscientious conviction
on the part of the leaders of the repub-
| lican party is illustrated by the con-
| Trajectory character of the arguments
they use to uphold their tariff and
force bill doctrines.
The protective tariff, they say to one
listener, puts up prices and thus en-
ableS the manufacturer to raise wages.
Foreign goods are cheaper than Ameri-
can because foreign wages are lower
Hence the American patriot will hate
cheapness and willingly pay dearer for
his coat Moreover the employees in
the protected industries lose nothing
by higher prices because higher prices
mean higher wages.
To another listener, not i'll a pro-
tected industry, the object Of protec-
ton, they say, is to put down prices,
and the fact that many articles are
cheaper now than twenty years ago is
pointed to as proof that the result of a
/, high tariff is low prices. So low are
prices under protection, it is said, that
we compete with foreign manufact-
urers in their own countries. The I'M
doubted fact is cited that very many
protected articles are sold abroad
cheaper than here.
1t is not, however, explained how
protection can put down prices and
yet put up wages. 1t is hard, in fact,
really want high tariff for is to have
their prices and profits reduced. Pro
lection, it is affirmed, makes wages
high here, but in protectionist Ger.
many wages are lower than in free
trade England. Taking the tariff off
sugar, it is held, was fine thing, be-
cause the price of sugar to consumers
has been thus reduced by the full
amount of the duty removed. The
American paid that tax and has gotten
relief. But on all other articles the
foreigner, it is said, pays the duty, and
taking the tax off would raise the
price. The tariff is not a tax, says the
protectionist, though he admits it to
be a means of getting revenue. AS for
unfair elections, they are unrebuked in
Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island and Montana, where the laws
are shaped to defeat the will of the
majority, but force bill is required to
secure fairness in the South and in
New York.
A sound currency is insisted upon by
the republican leaders, yet they pass
the silver act of 1890, which is creating
SC much alarm. They agree that the
national banks are bound to cease is
suing notes because the public debt is
being extinguished, but they persist in
denouncing the thought of an alter
native system. They praise civil-serv-
ice reform and purity, but use the
Offices as political capital and debaucb
the voters of pivotal States with the
money of men who expect private
in return for their con-
tributions. No wonder the shams its
leaders use to deceive have disgusted
republicans and produced,
as Mr.. Bavard saws, "a moral revolt"