The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-09-14
A Leaders Views.

The following letter from the Hon.
James CT. Blaine 10 Chairman Manley,
Of the Republican State Committee, is
made public:
The Hon. Joseph II. Manley Chairman, ETC.:
MY DEAR SIR-Not being able for reasons
which have explained TO you, to deliver pub
lilo speeches I'm this present campaign, take
the liberty OF submitting my Views on the
issues which regard as being strongest for
tho Republicans to urge before the people.
/. The Issue of the greatest consequence il
the tariff on imports, and IL will continue to
be until a settlement Is effected by majority
so large that IL will be tantamOunt to general
acquiescence. The Republicans are aggressive
on this subject. Two years ago they passed y
general enactment known as the Mckinley tar
ilf which for q time failed to meet with popu-
lar approval and was regarded with certain
degree of distrust by those who had always
upheld the protective system. But powerful
reaction has come In consequences or the vim
dication of the Mckinley tariff by experience
1t is found TO have worked admirably, ACT
within the last year has produced q great -
volume of business internal and external ex-
port and import, than the United states ever
transacted before. Notwithstanding the char
Ecter and extent OF the opposition TO II, agri-
culture Is remunerattve, manufactures are
prosperous and commerce Is more fourishtn2
than at any previous time, thus indicating
the Mckinley tariff by an impressive and un-
deniable series Of facts.
Against this tartr the Democratic party have
taken a position almost without parallel In the
history OF the country They reject entirely
the doctrine OF protection pronounce IL frana
TO this effect was adopted by the Democratic
convention against the report of the Commit
tee on Resolutions by two-thirds vote, thus
manifestfng the intelligent participation OF
every man In the convention. Sometimes .
resolution may be adopted in haste. or just
to receive the attention Of the members, but
this resolution debated. pro and con,
adopted after contest, and was perfectly un-
derstood by the members of the convention
II any one will take the trouble to read the
revolutions by which Mr.. Calhoun sought to
Hafa null Hna tnn In he vii
find the tariff platform of the Democratic
party in general harmony Herewith. and II he
examines the subject further he will discover
that the duties in the compromise tariff which
reconciled Mr.. Calhoun and appeased his angry
followers in South Carolina were of more
comprehensive character than those contem-
plated in the Democratic resolution of 1892.
The Democrats are in the habit of naming
Jefferson As the founder OF their party, and
yet, on the subject of tariff, they are in radi-
cal opposition to the principles laid down by
Jefferson, Toward the close OF his admins
tratfon the revenue from the tariff on imports
produced considerable surplus, and the
question was what should be done. Should
the tariff be reduced or should this surplus be
maintained
Jefferson pointedly asked: Shall we sup
press the imposts and give that advantage to
foreign over domestic manufacturers" For
himself he recommended that the imposts be
maintained" and that the surplus created
should be appropriated to the improvement of
Constitution did not give sufficient power to
warrant these appropriations, Jefferson went
~.
This presents the strongest condition of af-
fairs upon which a protective tariff be
justified, and Jefferson did not hesitate to
recommend II. The Democrats OF the present
day 1t is needless to say, are in direct opposi-
ton to the policy which Jefferson thus out
lined and adhered to.
2. When the principle of reciprocal trade was
first proposed to be introduced into the tariff
system, the Democrats showed a most gener-
Gus appreciation OF the question and gave IL
their support. long Republicans refused to
accept it, but when Republicans came to ap-
instead of favoring, we find the Democratic
National Convention passing resolution hos
tile to the system. But in spite Of Democratic
opposition we have attained, through reciproc-
ity, a new and valuable trade and the system
has demonstrated its many advantages. We
were about to declare sugar molasses coffee
and hides free of all duties, in the Mckinley
bill, but instead of that passed a law
by, which we asked the several nations
have those articles made free. We
found that the privileges which we were
about to give without cost and without
Cuba and Porto Rico, in the Windward and Lee
ward islands, in British Guiana and Jamaica
San Domingo and the five Central American
States, and to a minor degree in Austria
France and Germany-all in exchange for the
articles which we have intended to gratuitous-
ly admit. The free list of the Mckinley tariff
Is larger in the number of articles and in the
aggregate amount OF their import value than
result to the United States IL every article be-
fore IL put on the free list, had been made
the subject OF inquiry to see what we could
for many years And that neglect has cost the
government advantages in trade which would
have amounted to tens OF millions OF dollars
This Is the whole of the reciprocity scheme.
1t Is very plain and very simple. 1t secures a
valuable trade in exchange for articles other
Democratic party think they can discredit it,
and they make the effort, apparently for the
unpatriotic reason that they did not origi-
nate 1t.
g. With all its calami lies the war brought us
one great blessing national currency. There
aIe many who will say that it worth the
result to capital and labor. Prior TO the war
had the worst currency system OF any enlight-
ened nation in the world. The State banks,
with some exceptions, were thoroughly ire
sponsible. They existed by thousands through
out the United States. Whenever one of them
failed the result was large loss and great
distress among the people. No one was respon-
sible for their bills, and they were generally
found scattered in the pockets OF the laboring
man, to whom they were a total loss, without
any redemption whatever. OF the State banks
1t was often and truly said that their debts
were the measure OF their profits. They have
caused an aggregate loss OF hundreds of mil
lion OF dollars among the poor. Since the close
of the war all this is different. Every paper
dollar that circulates among the people mas
the United States behind IL as guarantee.
All the banks that exist are under the control
Of the national government, and IL they fail
financial institutions, the Government has
taken care that their bills shall be paid by secu-
rites deposited in Government vaults. Under
ordinary surprise that the Democratic conven-
ton should deliberately pass resolutions for
the revival of State banks. The palpable effect
of this policy, IL carried out, would be to cheat
the poor man out OF his daily bread III State
banks be adopted and their circulation attain
a large issue, no device could be more deadly
for the deception and despoilment of all tho
commercial and laboring classes, How the
Democratic convention came to make such a
declaration, who was its author what intelli-
gent purpose was in il, will remain a mystery.
l have heard the argument adduced that we
would keep the money at home IL State banks
were instituted, but we should keep il at home
because 1t would be so worthless that nobody
would take IL abroad. Were the system OF
State banks revived we would again have dis
counts at the State lines, large charges for
drafts on financial centers and general sus-
picion OF every bill offered in payment. with
liquidation every few years that would be
destructive loss TO the innocent holders OF
bills and corresponding profit to the parties
owning the banks
The three issues which have given are the
issues on which would arraign the Democratic
party. would not multiply issues nor be di-
yerted by our opponents from a steadfast adj
herence to and constant presentation of these
questions before the people until every voter
Is made to know and understand their true
end weighty Significance