The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-14
LET TIE TRIAL BE MADE.
4 Plan Whereby Free Trade Nay B, Given On
Immediats q "a Conclusive Tes,.
Rochester pos,-Fxpress.

Rochester Post Express.
The PLAIN duty of the Democrats. as
honest men. and not towards and dema-
Rogues. Is to pass an anti protection tariff.
To tinker over the tariff. modifying rates
on this. that. or the other article aud ieav-
ing the protective system untouched would
be special legislation the most con-
temptible type. closely approximating
to black-mail. Recourse to any such presexs
would be a surrender OF the whole case
against protection.
What Is the duty Of the Republicans
They have been beaten on the issue OF
protective policy after long years of pro-
tective tariff. and there is no reason. why
they should not acquiesce cheerfully in the
overwhelming popular demand for q
change. If the Issue were a new one OF il
IL Were moral one. they might feel bound
10 continue TO struggle against desperate
odds; but 1T - an old issue and il is one
simply involving the business interests of
the people. Why should they plant them
selves IN the way of the popular Wilt
The present House of Representatives
was elected two years ago on the tariff is
sue and is strongly Democratic. Let it
prepare and pass al the coming session an
anti protection tariff. The Senate 10 a Re-
publican body. but the majority 10 not
large, ana some of those who constitute it
are not very sanguine champions of the
protective system. Let tho Republican
Senators. by caucus action after Congress
assemblies next month, notify the
that they Will offer nc opposition
to any consistent anti protection
tariff measure. sent TO the Senate. but ac-
quiesce In its passage. They should make
it plain that they will oppose TO the last
any merely sham demonstrations for tariff
reform. but will allow. the Democratic Sem
ators 10 push througha genuine, consistens
measure for tariff reform on free-trade Ines
not because they believe that policy best,
but because the people have demanded
1t. President Harrison need not sign
such q measure; but on the eve
OF retiring from office, IN obedience TO the
popular will. he can allow it TO become q
law without his signature. The Repub-
hcaDs have nothing 10 lose by this proceed
ure, for, until tho Democrats refuse to
adopt free-trade policy, or until it is
adopted and proven q failure. they have
no case on which to appeal from the re-
cent popular judgment against protection.
The measure can be- shaped by Demo
cratic leaders. and the responsibility for nc
can be conceded TO the Democracy. There
ia no need 10 wait two years or four years
The whole matter cen be settled before
Jan. l. 1893.
If protection be so bad as the great ma
jority of the people believe II to be, the
sooner it is abolished the better. Ii the
tie sooner the test begins the better. TX
the opposition to protection, as some cyni-
cal people assert. is not honest, the sooner
the business interests of the country are
assured against any serious disturbance on
that account the better.
We have had five years of very active
politics ont of the protection and free
trade controversy. and it is high time to
get down to business
Free trade is doubtless best for new
country with agriculture as the main IN
dustry: protection Is often necessary exc
pedient during the second period of devel.
Opment. when manufactures are estab-
lished and industries diversified. and it is
possible that free trade becomes the best
policy when a country's commerce spreads.
It's wealth increases and all it's man.
uf8ctures are secure against COM
petition. The theorists have taught,
the politicians have declared, and the peo-
pie of the United States have voted that
this country has reached the third period,
and that its best business development re-
quires free trade. We hope they are all
right; but, right or wrong. let there be no
more talk on the subject Put the thing
to the test
II there be q promised land. with no mill
Ionaires with no poverty, and with forty
acres and a mule for everybody. let ns
start for 1t at once. ..tf
When we get there we shall know
whether we We're sent for. and whether 10
is q good place to stay.