The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-08-30
THB VAR IS ON.
First Gun of the Democratic
Campaign Fired
BY Candidate Stevenson at
Bloomington, Ills.

A. Least 5000 People Gather to Listen
to His Decentralization Of the Republican
Party and Landing of Democratic Prin-
and Force Bills.
BLOOMINGTON, Ills, Aug. 29.-There
was gathering of the Democratic hosts
of Mclean and the adjoining counties
here Saturday TO hear Vice Presidential
Candidate Adlai E. Stevenson and other
representatives of the party speak. All
the adjoining towns and villages had
delegations on the ground as early as
O'Clock, and later in the forenoon excur-
sion trains fegan TO arrive from Clinton,
Pekin, Lincoln, Decatur and other points
further away. The sturdy Democrats of
the county Immediately surrounding
Bloomington came in wagons, on horse
back and on foot, and by noon there were
not less than 5000 strangers thronging
the streeta-
The speaking took place from large
platform which had been erected in
Franklin park, Immediately in front of
the Stevenson mansion. Besides the
various orators all the leaders Of the
party in central Illinois and several in
yited guests occupied seats on the struc-
ture. James S. Ewing, Mr.. Stevenson's
law partner, was the presiding officer,
and when he called the assemblage to
order there were at least 5000 people
crowded together under the trees facing
the stand. Candidate Stevenson was
the principal attraction, of course, and
his appearance was the signal for long
continued cheering, which was renewed
again and again until he waved his hand
Tor silence. -....-...-.. 80 --.-sg
In his opening remarks Mr.. Stevenson
spoke of the beauties of our constitution
and the responsibility resting upon each
individual to see that the government
was in the hands of proper officials.
He then called attention to the grave
public questions involved in the coming
presidential struggle and gave some Of
the reasons why Mr.. Cleveland should
be elected president of the United
States He then made comparison Of
the condition of the United States treas
urv al the close of Mr.. Cleveland's ad-
ministrstion with its present condition,
and charged the Republican administra-
ton with legislation and cor
ruptiOn. -.--
Speaking On the tariff question Mr..
Stevenson said:
The tariff Is the allinportant issue of
the campaign upon which we have now en-
tered Shall there be q revision of our
tariff Laws, and as a consequence of such
legislation q reduction of taxation; or.
shall it become the policy of our govern
meut 10 maintain, permanently, high pro
lection The position OF the two leading
political parties upon that question can
not be misunderstood The Republican
party, Us illustrated by IT'S recent enact
raent of the Mckinley law, stands for
high protective-in other words, d prohib-
tory tariff. .-
The Democratic party, as emphasized by
It's tltterances and It's acts, is the advocate
of tariff reform The issue is squarely
presented Upon the one side are the adj
vOcates % q high protective OF prohibitory
policy-a policy that enriches the few at
the expense of the many. On the other the
advocates OF such reduction of tariff duties
Is will give to our manufacturers the ben
eft Of cheap raw material, and lessen to
the consumer the cost OF the necessaries of
life Ea
Mr.. Stevenson then reviewed all the
tariff laws passed since 1888 down To the
Mckinley bill Speaking of this meas,
ure- he said:
The avoHed object OF this bill was to
check importation. Its purpose so to in
crease the rate Of duties, as in many in
stances to exclude absolutely foreign goods
from cur markets, and thus by cutting off
competition, enable the home manufac
turer without let or hindranoe to fix the
price of his wares. La a word. the NcKin-
ley law, by its prohibitOry features gave
its beneficiaries practical monopoly, and
enabled them in fact to levy an additional
lax upon the consumer. to the extent that
the duty had been increased Was this legis-
,lation demanded by the peoaley Was it in
their interest Was IL not class legisla-
tioa of the most odious character-such
legislation enriches the few al the ex-
pense of the many The American people
enthusiastically set their Seal of conden.nar
ton upon this bill. Slowly but surely
they have become convinced that "protec-
sion does not protect" them
1t is worse than idle TO speak of its bene-
fits TO the American farmer. What he de-
mands is both foreign and home market
for the products Of his farm. tits moekery
TO tell him he is protected against the corn
and wheat products of the old world.
While he is compelled to sell in the open
markets of the world he should be allowed
the poor privilege of buying what his neces-
sities require without paving high tribute |
TO the protected classes of his own country |
To the mechanic and laborer no less |
Enan 20 the farmer protection has proved !
aelusion and. q snare. In no instance has |
Il opened up to the farmer. additional !
market for p9und of meat or a bushel of |
grain" Has it IN single instance given to |
The mechanic or laborer increased wages? |
The present high tariff adds largely to the /
cost R articles necessary to the comfort of (
the wage Garner How has he been bene-
fted? Has ii increased his wages? Has IL
IN any manner benefited his conditions /
2 Recent events connected with the most
highly protected establishments, otSthis
country sadly attest the fact that a high |
protective tariff affords no protection to
those who earn their bread by daily toll.
It was never intended to benefit them.
Long enough has the wage Garner been de-
luded by the CRY. that high tariff means
high wages Tariffs have no effects upon
wages except 70 diminish their purchasing
power. .f. t..l ...... ....,-Tr ~ !
The higher the tariff the less the pur-
power Of the wages Wages are
governed by the great law Of supply and
demand, 1.-THE claim Of the protectionist