The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-10-06
No Free Trade For Him.

No Free Trade For Him.
N 1llustrious Democratic Lawyer and
Author Repusiates Cleveland.
Democrats are now finding out how their
party blundered when It too plainly defined
'he end at which It aims by it's bold deciara-
ton against protection OF any kind. made in
the Chicago platform. Since that free trade
there has been . virtual
STAN pede OF Intelligent Democrats out o: the
free trade camp to the side OF American pro-
tec:!on.
Among the most eminent Democrats who|
have repudt,ted Cleveland and the If . trade
platform on which he stands, Is the venerable
George Ticknor Curtis. whose fame as con-
s'1tutional lawyer and author Is world " ide.
The form'l letter In which Mr.. Curtis an
nounoes bis intention to abandon the party
which hal go long claimed his obelisn g, and
to support the Republican ticket In this cam
paiga. is printed below. It should be read by
every patrio ic Democrat In the land:
R1cHF1ELD SPRINGS. N. Y. September 10, 1892
10 THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMIST:
Gratis. 1 cannot follow the leaders OF the party
n denouncing Republican Prot 'ction 40 a
fraud upon the labor OF the great majority O.
ths American people for the benefit Of a few !;
nor can I subscribe to the doctrine that Pro-
tective Tariff is unconstitutional. I have no
pec"niary interest in Manufactures, but
know what Protection has done and Is doing
Tor this country. II 1t operates tor the benefi
OF the few. am not one OF that few. I am
one OF the many; one Of the great majority
benea cd by it, including those who denounce
it for the sake Of obtaining political pow er
II 'heleaders Of . political party assembled
in national convention for the purpose Of
nominating candidates for the Presidency and
Vice. Presidency choose 70 stultify themselves
bv falsifyny history. they cannot expect to be
followed BY others who have any habits Of
independ entt thought and action. The learned
pundits who were lately assembled Mt Chicago
in national convention OF the Democratic
party, adopted by . two-thtrds vote. and
against the report OF the Com mtttse on Reso-
lutions, tho following a. q "plank" In the
Democratic platform:
We denounce Republican Protection as fraud
upon the labor OF tho great majority Of the
American people for the benefit Of q few. We
declare 1t to DO fundamental principle OF the
Democratic party that the Foders al Government
has no constitutional power to impose and col
lect tariff duties. except for the purpose OF rev.
enuo only. We demand that the collection of
such taxes be limited to tho necessities OF tho
Government whom honestly and economically
administered.
In drafting and voting for this resolution,
tho members either showed dense ignorance
|of American political history, or they mani
tested purpose to win votes by deceiving the
voters. cannot, at the bidding OF these
gentlemen. un'earn the lessons Of my whole
life. The greater part Of my long life has been
sassed in tho study Of American political his
tory and constitutional law. II cannot claim
% be an authority on such subjects. can
point out to others the true sources from
which to devise interpretations OF the Consti.
tuition. These &C urces are not to be found in
recent Congressional speeches, whether made
by members OF one party or another. They
are to DO found In the interpretations given
to the Cons tuition BY: tho First Congress, BY
|Washfngton'e administration, and by the sue.
|cee'iing administrations of Jefferson. Madison,
John Quincy Adams and Jackson.
have been requested by the Secretary oil
The AMERICAN PROTECTIVE TARIFF LEAGUE
Ito give my views OF the Protective issue, as 1t
has been made by tho two parties In the
present campaign. This shall do in COM
nun cation 70 DO addressed to him, OF which
he will make such use as he sees fit.
am, Mr.. Editor, very respectfully.
Your obedient servant.
GEO. T1cKNoR Curtis.
Il From Encyclopedia britannica. american S4p.