The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-09-07
a LETTER FROM BLAINE.
He Will Not Be Able to Deliver
Public Speeches.
HIS VIEWS ON SEVERAL QUESTIONS.


tional Currency are the Three
Most Prominent Questions That
Should BE Discussed in the Pres
ent Campaign.
AUGUSTA, Me-, Sept. 7.-The follow
Ing letter for Hon. James G. Blaine to
Chairman Manley, of the Republican
state committee, was made public last
night.
Ny DEAR SIR-Not being able, for rea-
sons which have explained to you, to
deliver public speeches in this present
campaign take the liberty of submit
ting my views on the issues, which re-
gard as being strongest for the Republi-
cans to urge before tho people.
First-The issue of the greatest con-
sequence ia the tariff OH imports, and it
will continue to be until settlement is
effected bya majority so large that it
will be tantamount to general acqui-
esence The Republicans are aggressive
OH this subject. Two years ago they
passed a general enactment known as
the Mckinley tariff, which for time
failed to meet with popular approval asd
was regarded with certain degree Of
distrust by those who had always upheld
the protective system. But powerful
reaction has came in consequence of the
vindication of Mckinley tariff by exper-
ience. 1t is found to have worked adj
mirably, and within tho last year has
produced greater volume of business,
internal and external, export and import,
than the United States ever transacted
before. Notwithstanding the character
and extent of the opposition to it, agri-
culture is remunerative, manufactures
are prosperous and commerce is more
flourishing than at any previous time,
thus vindicating the Mckinley tariff by
an impressive and urdeniabe series of
facts
Rejecting the Tariff.
Against this tariff the Democratic
party have taken position almost with
out parallel in the history of the country.
They reject entirely the doctrine of pro-
lection, pronounce it "A fraud and anathe-
Inatize it generally. A resolution to this
effect was adopted by the Democratic
convention against the representatives of
The committee on resolutions by "A two
thirds vote, thus mnnifestng the intelli-
gent participation of every intelligent
man in the convention. Sometimes q
resolution may be adopted in haste, or
when convention is adjourning, it may
fail to receive the attention of members;
but this resolution was debated, pro and
con, adopted after contest, and was
perfectly understood by the members Of
the convention. 1t is contained in these
words: I'VE denounce the Republican
protection rs fraud upon the labor Of
the great maj otity of the American peo-
pie for the benefit of the few. We de-
clare it fundamental principle of the
Democratic party that the federal govern
ment has no constitutional power to inn
pose and collect tariff duties except for
The purpose of revenue only. We de-
mand that the collection of such taxes he
limited to the necessities of the govern
fnent when honestly and economically
administered"
If any one will take the trouble to
rad the resolution by which Mr.. Cal
houn sought to defend his nulli6cation
Echeme in 1888 he will find the hariff
Riatform of the Democratic party in gem
eral harmony Herewith and If he ex-
Knines the subject further he will dis
over that the duties in the compromise
tariff which reconciled Mr.. Calhoun and
Rppeased his angry followers in South
Carolina We're of a more comprehensive
character than those contemplated in the
Democratic resolution of 1892.
Not in Line With jefferson.
The Democrats are in the habit of
naming Jefferson as the founder of their
paity and yet, on the subject of tariff,
khey are in radical opposition to the prin-
Glples laid down by jefferson. Toward
The close of his administration tha rev.
onue from the tariff on imports pro-
tuced considerable surplus, and the
question was what should bc done; should
he tariff be reduced OF ,hould the sur
plus be maintained? Jefferson pointedly
ksked: 'Shall we suppress Tho imports
Rnd give that advantage TO foreign over
FoMostic manufactures For himself
he recommended that tho imposts be
maintained and that the surplus created
should be appropriated to the improve
mept OF roads, canals, rivers and educa-
hon"
If the constitution did not give suf-
hcient power to warrant these nppropri-
Rtions. Jefferson Went so far as To rec
smmend that it bo amended. This pre-
psnts the strongest condition of affairs
hDon which n protective tariff can be
Justified, and jefferson did not hesitate
10 recommend il. The Democrats of the
present day, it is needless to say, are tho
direct opponents of the policy which
Jefferson thus outlined and adhered to.
Democrats Opposed to Reciprocity.
Second-W When the principle of re-
siprocal trade was first proposed TO be
Introduced into tho tariff system the
Democrats showed as much generous ap-
probation Of the question and gave it
lheir support as long as the Republicans
refused to accept; but when the Repub-
ECans came to approve it the Democrats
vanished. and instead of fayoling. we
End the Democratic national convention
passing II resolution hostile to the sys-
tenn. But in spite of Democratic OPP
position we have attained, through reci-
procity, a new and valuable trade and
the system has demonstrated its many
advantages. We were able to declare
Eugar, molasses. coffee and hides free OF
sll duties in the Mckinley bill, but in.
stead We passed a bill by which we
asked the several nations interested
what they would give to have their ar
kicles free. We found the privileges which
NE were able TO give without cost oil
charge would secure large trade in
Brazil and Cuba, in the Windward and
Leeward islands, in British Guiana and
Jamaica, San Domingo and the five Cen
tral Americas and a minor degree il
Australia, France and Germany, all il
exchange for articles which we INTENDED
20 gratuitously admit,
The free list of the Mckinley tariff i!
larger in number Of articles and in aggre
gate amount of their import value thar
the dutiable list What would have beer
the result to the United States If ever,
article which was put on the free lis
hsd been made subject of inquiry to Sc
what we could get in exchange3 w
omitted to do so for many years. Tha
neglect has cost the government adyan
sages in trade which would hav
amounted to tens of millions of dollars
This is the whole of the reciprocit
scheme.
A Blessing Brought by tho War,
Third-With all its calamities the wa
brought us one great blessing
currency. There are many who will sa
e. 1t was worth the cost of the war to brin
about so auspicious a result TO capiti