The morning call., 1892-09-07
Mr.. Blaine Lays Down Fighting Lines
for Republicans.
WEAK POINTS OF THE DEMOCRACY.
Ii should Be Campaign Upon Protection, Re-
tlprOtity and Sound Currency, and There Should
Be No Seeking for Side Issues.
Special TO The MORNING CALL.

AUGUSTA, Me-, Sept. 6.-The following
letter from Hon. James G.. Blaine to Chair
man Manley of the Republican State Com
mittee was made public tonight:
BAR HARBoR, Me-. Sept. 8, 1892.
Hon. Joseph II. Manley, Chairman, etc,
AuguStd, Ne.-MY DEAR SIR: Not being
a9le, for reasons which l explained to you,
10 deliver public speeches in the present
campaign. take the liberty Of submitting
my views on the issues which | regard as
being the strongest for Republicans to urge
before the people.
First-The issue Of the greatest conse-
fuenee is the tariff on imports. and it will
continue to be until a settlement is effected
by majority SO large that it will be tanta-
mount TO general acquiescence. Republi-
cans are aggressive on this subject. Two
years ago they passed general enactment
known as the Mckinley tariff which for
the time failed to meet with popular APP
proyal, and was regarded with certain
degree OF distrust by those who have
always upheld protective system. But a
powerful reaction came in consequence and
vindication. The Mckinley tariff by ex-
perlence was found to have worked ad-
mirably, and within the last year it has
ternal and external. export and import,
than the United States ever transacted
before. Notwithstanding the character
and extent Of the opposition to it, agricult-
ire has been remuneratlye the manufac-
lures prosperous and commerce more
hourshing than at any previous time, thus
Findicating the Mckinley tariff by an i'm
presSiye ana undeniabe series Of facts.
Against this tariff the Democratic party has
taken position almost without parallel In the
history of the country, pronounce it a fraud
ana anathematlZe II generally. y resolution
to this effect was adopted by the Demo
cratic convention against the report of the
committee on resolutions. by two-thirds
vote, thus manlfesting the Intelligent par
tlclpatlOn Of every man In the convention.
Sometimes n resolution may be adopted in
haste, or just as convention is adjGurning,
II may fan 10 receive the attention of the
members, bat this resolution was debated
pro aud con, adopted after & contest and
was perfectly understood by the members
Of the convention. IL contained these
words:
1--WE pronounce Republican protection as
n fraud upon the labor of the great major
ity of the American people for the benefit
of the few q we declare that it is fuuda-
mental principle Of the Democratic party
that the Federal Government has no consti-
tutIOnal power 10 impose and collect tariff
duties, except Tor the purpose OF revenue {;
We demand that the collection Of such taxes
be limited 10 the necessities of the Govern
ment when honestly and economically ad-
minlstered."
II any one will take the trouble to read
the resolutions by which Mr.. Calhoun sought
10 defend his notification scheme in 1888
he will ind that the tariff platform OF the
Democratic party is in general harmony
Herewith, and II he examines the subject
further he will discover that the duties in The
compromise tariff which recOnciicd MIR. CAL
houn and appeased his angry followers in
South Carolina arc not OF more cOmpTe-
hensive character than those contemplated
in the Democratic resolution Of 1892.
The Democrats are 10 the habit OF nam
ing Jefferson as the founder Of their party,
and yet, on the subject Of tariff, they are in
radical o position 10 the principles laid
down by Jefferson. Toward the close of
his administration the revenue from the
tariff on imports produced a considerable
surplus and there was question of what
should be done Should the tariff be re-
duced or should this surplus be maintained?
jefferson pOlntedly asked. shall we sup
press imports and give that advantage TO
foreign over domestic manufacturers ?"
For himself, he recommended that i'm ports
be maintained and that the surplus created
should be appropriated to the Improvement
OF roads. canals, rivers and education. II
the constitution did not give sufficient
power TO warrant thsse appropriations,
Jefferson went so far as to recommend that
it 5e anne ndcd. This presents the strongest
condition OF affairs upon which the pro-
te ctive tariff can be justified, and Jefferson
did not hesitate 10 recommend il. The
Democrats of the present day. it is needless
10 say, are in direct opposition to the policy
which Jefferson thus outlined and adhered