The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-09-14
ProtectIon tne GREAT Issue.

Prom the y. y. Mall and ELpreSs-
President Harrison's letter accepting the
nomination Of the Republican National Con
vention is q document that of itself would
rank him among our greatest statesmen.
Comprehensive in scope, broad and liberal
in tone, infused with vigorous American
patriotism in every line, logical in argument,
full Of most convincing facts aud figures, 1t
is fitted to become the political text book
for every campaign orator and to arouse the
pride Of every true patriot.
1t is needless 10 say that the President &C
cepts in every part as his own declaration Of
principles the platform constructed By the
representatives of the Republican party at
Minneapolis, Unlike the Democratic party
the Republican party is united in its devo-
ton to certain principles Unlike the dem
ocratic party, 1t can point with pardonable
pride to its history and past achievements IS
an earnest Of the future. The history Of
this administration is now part Of the Re
publican record, and a part Of which the
party is SIS proud as Of any similar period Of
its conduct Of government affairs.
President Harrison realizes fully the debt
that he owes, that the Republican party
owes, that the whole nation owes, to the
able and energetic assistants who have help
ed him in the various departments Of execu-
tive administration. To Mr.. Blaine he pays
tie handsome tribute Of Gn especial &C
knoEIedgment Of his great service in urging
the reciprocity policy and adding its crown
ing feature to the great Republican Tariff
act Of 1880.
Coming to the great issues that are now
before rs, the President, brushing away all
democratic attempts at subterfuge or evasion
at one stroke Of his pen, pe7ceiyes and points
out with unerring judgment that the great
question now before the American people is
the continuance Of the protective system.
BE shows that whereas in other campaigns
the democracy have recognized the principle
Of protection and feared to disclose them
selves as really free traders, now, under
more courageous leadership, they have come
out fully and frankly as would be destroy
ers Of the policy that has built up American
industries and protected American homes,
and are pledged to the total overthrow Of
our entire tariff system. On this point the
President appeals to the intelligence Of
voters:
There IS not thoughtful business man in
the country who does not know that the en-
sctment into law Of the declaration OF the
Chicsgo Convention. upon the subject Of the
tariff. would st once plunge the country into
8 business convuision such as it has never
seen; and there is not a thoughtful working
man who does not know that it would at once
reduce the amount Of work to
be done in this country, by the increase Of
impoE.ations that would follow, and necessi-
taies reduction of bis wages to the Euro
pean standard
THAT is what the democratic party IS
pledged to-pledged By the utteTance Gifts
leaders in Congress pledged by the message
OF its last President il 1887 pledged solemn
y, and by grea. majority OF its delegates
in its national platform, adopted afler long
debate by its national convention. But #
any one sUpposes that the party, once in
power, would not dare 70 carry out these
pledges, the President has q word for him
Ifany one suggests that this radical poll
ey viii not be executed if the democratic
party attains power, what shall be thought
Of party that IS capable Of thus triiing
with great interests? The threat Of such
legislation would be only less hurtfcl than
the fact. A distinguished democrat rightly
described this movement as challenge 10 /
the protected industries to a fight Of ex,er-
minaiion, and another such rightly express !
ed the logic Of the situation when he inter
pre.ed the Chicago platform to be an invita-
tion TO all democrats holding even the most
moderate protection views to so into the Re |
plblioan party"
Certainly no party that 80 juggles with
the peoples interests ought to be trusted (
with the conduct ofthe government. The /
President is right. The paramount issue Of /
the campaign is protection, and Tat issue
the democrats cannot dodge nor evade nor
obscure.