Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-09-07
I'm a Letter 10 the Maine Re-
publican Committee
WITH A REGARD TO The TARIFF
Hs Shows the Benefits Of the Mckinley
Tariff and the Falacy of Demo-
cratic Opposition.

BAR HARBOR, Me-, Sept. 3, 1892.
To the Hon. Joseph fl. Manley, Chair
man, ETC., Augusta, Me-
Ny DEAR SIR-Not being able, for
reasons which nave explained 70 you
10 deliver public speeches IN this pres
ent campaign, l take the liberty Of
submitting my views on the issues
which regard as being strongest for
the republicans TO urge before the peo-
Pile. The issue OF the greatest copse-
quence Is the tariff on imports, and it
will continue to be until settlement is
effected by majority 80 large that 1t
Will be tantsmount to general acqui-
escence. The republicans are aggres-
sive on this subject. Two years ago
they passed general enactment known
as the Mckinley tariff, which for
time failed to meet with popular ap-
proval and was regarded with a certain
degree of distrust by those who had
always upheld the protective system.
But q powerful reaction mas come IN
consequence OF the vindlcatlon OF the
Mckinley tariff 10y experience.
How the Tarin Has Worked
1t is found To have worked admirably
and within the last year has produced
greater volume OF business IN inter
nal and external export and import
than the United States have ever trans
acted before. Notwithstanding the
character and extent of the opposition
10 1t agriculture is remuneratlve, man
ufacturers are prosperous and COM
merce IS more tlourlshing than st any
previous time, thus indicating the Nc
kinley tariff by an impressive and un-
deniable series of facts. Against this
tariff the democratic party has taken q
position almost without parallel IN the
history of the country. 1t rejects en-
tirely the doctrine OF protection, pro-
nounces it fraud and anathematize il
generally. A resolution to this effect
was adopted by the democratic conven-
ton against the report of the commit
tee on resolutions by two-thirds vote.
thus manlfesting the intelligent partic-
lpatlon of every man IN the convention.
Sometimes resolution may be adopt
ed IN haste, or when the convention is
adlourning 1t may fail to receive the
attention OF members, but this resolu-
ton was debated pro and con after
contest and was perfectly understood
by the members or the convention. 1t
Is contained IN these words:
I've denounce republican protection
as fraud upon the labor of the great
majority of the American people for
the benefit of few. We declare it
fundamental principle of the demo-
cratic party that the federal govern
ment has no constitutional power to
| impose and collect tariff duties except
for the purpose of revenue only. We
demand that the collection of such
taxes be limited to the necessities of
the government when honestly and
! economically administered"
Views of Calhoun and jefferson.
Ii anyone will take the trouble to
read the resolution by which Mr.. Cal
houn sought to defend his notification
scheme in 1888, he will find the tariff
platform OF the democratic party in
general harmony herewith, and If he
examines the subject further he will
discover that the duties IN the compro-
mise tariff which reconclled Mr.. Cal
hpun and appeased his angry followers
| In South Carolina were of u more COM
| prehensive character than those con-
templated in the democratic reso-
luton of 1892. The democrats
are In the habit of naming
Jefferson as the founder of their party
and on the subject of tariff they are IN
radical opposition To the principles
LAID down by Jefferson. Toward the
| close of hls administration the tariff on
| imports produced considerable sur
/ plus, and the question was, what
should be done. Should the tariff be
reduced or should this surplus be MAN
tsined? Jefferson pointedly asked;
"Shall we suppress the imports aud
| give that advantage to foreign over do
mestIc manufacturers? For himself,
ne recommended that the imports be
maintained and that the surplus Gre
sted "snOuld be appropriated TO the
| improvement of roads, canals, rivers
and education. The constitution did
| not give sufficient power to warrant
| these appropriations. Jefferson went
so tar "a TO recommend that II be
amended. THIS presents the strongest
| condition OF affairs upon which a tar.
! III can b. justified and Jefferson did
not hesitate 10 recommend It.
"Direet Opponents OF Their Founders"
The democrats of the present day, Il
Is needless to say, are the direct opp0n-
| ents of the policy when Jefferson thus
! outlined and adhered TO. When the
! principle of reciprocal trade WAS first
proposed tO he introduced into the
/ tariff system. the democrats showed "a
much generous appreciation of the
/ questiOnsnd gave II their support. so
/ long "a republicans refused 20 accept
/ It; bat when the republicans came 10
/ approve the democratic support van
sned. and instead OF favorlng, We find
/ the democratic natoual convention
/ passing resolution hostile 10 the sys-
tenn. But in spite OF democratic Oppo-
\ sitOu We have ettsined through reCip-
rOcitv n new an0 valuable trade. and
I the system has demonstrated "a many
advantages. We were about 20 declare
/ sugar. moissses, coffee and hides free
7 OF all duties N TIE Mckinley bill. but
7 We passed law hy wniCh Ne
asked the several nations inter
ested what they would Cvs go
have their articles made free. We
found that the priv. eges which We
were about o. give without cost and
7 without charge woud q secure iargs
7 trade in Brazil, Cuba snd Porto Rico.
n the Windwsrd ard Leewari stands.
m British Guinea and Jansca. san
7 Dom nE0 and the Eve Central American
T states, and 20 a nli7or degree fn Aus
T frslIs, France and Germany. al "a ey-
chsnsa for The srtcles Whch re rad
attended 20 grstutous.F sdmt. Ihe
free ist q tns Mckinley tariff = lsrser
f i1 tie nnnber a articles snd n toe sE-
greg8sa amount q tier lnuort Vs lac