The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-26

| So far as the canvass OF 1892 Is con-
cerned, the frayed and moth-eaten question
OF free trade and tariff smashing is purely
an intellectual or rhetorical discussion of
about as much value as the perennial de-
bate in the young mems clubs, Resolved.
that the pen is mightier than the sword
or as the curious trick syllogisms Of
the old sophists and rhctoricials. For
instance. this one: "A man has what he
has not lost. l have not lost horns.
Therefore 1 have horns" These cxer-
cises. disquisitions. and toys Of sub
tlety. are Of no account in tho serious
business Of the intellect; so free trade is
OF no account in the serious business OF
this years politics. The Democrats are
out for bear. not for pepperng scarccrows
or collecting rocs' eggs. Still. there is al
ways time enough to have some fun. and
occasionally the discussers and dsquisi-
tors force us to have it with ON.
Thus our esteemed contemporary, the
Louisville C0urier-Jownat. takes arms
against "A Flood OF Ernigrants." 1t
mentions with that queer. gloomy fe-
licity which a devoted free trader al
ways seems to bathe in when no
thinks Of something that no thinks is a
calamity due to that compendium Of calam-
ity. the protective tarif-tho sad-eycd
charioteer OF the Star-cycd Goddess of
Economic Cuff mentions mournfully tho
fact that some 100000 emigrants came over
to the land OF milk and honey and rum and
molasses during the twelve months which
deceased June 80. 1899. Why did they come,
asks the mourner: and wo hear tho tears
Just as Mr.. RossETTI heard the Blessed
Damosel piteously bubbering. Why do
these wanderers. the emlgrants. not tho
tears: why do they Gomez
"rhey arc hunting u land where the Government
by its laws promises higher wages than they an earu
at home Thousands come under inducement offered
by employers, but by tho Government; by a GOV
eminent which. as In Mr., McKlrLrr's report submit
ting tho MCKINLEY bill. declares Its purpose to main,
tain prices by taxation.
That " paternaIism, socialism. and leads to an.
archy. Hexcites tho Imagination OF the downtrodden
multitudes OF Europe. who want protection who
want employment who want to ind Government
whore high wages are guaranteed at tho expense OF
tho consumer.
80 they como. a vast army Of every nation and
tongue and condition: = mighty multitude swarming
Into the dark corners Of our cities niscd miserable
reckless They come to ind that they have look
to the Government but to employers for high wages
They discovered that the bonus tho subsidy comes
them not directly In perennial stream. but only as
their employers are ready to distribute it, The bounty
Is collected by tho trusts and combines which them
selves decide what proportion shall 10 to labor"
Can such things be. and overcome us like
summer shower without our special
knowledge The immigrant comes here
because he thinks he's going to get high
wages. He must be undeceived. he must
be warned off. And how? BY knocking OF
the tariff. knocking down the wages.
| THE whole system is wrong. radically wrong, Tho
nrst and best check to Immigration is radical reduc
ton Of the tarin.'
Which is to remark: The wicked immi-
| grant comes here because wages are high:
| radically reduce. the tariff and wages wont