Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-05-19

1894. We cent abroad is, 40 SIT bushels
ct wheat. valued 81 Sl3S, Isl ,z5i- Inc
total value OF brsAdstuns sent out OF
the country for the ten months ending
April 80, 1891, WAS so &c. 1o3. The
total value OF breadstuffs for the ten
month"; ending April 80, 1899. were
t265, $40, nearly Si6e. 00o, 600 OF excess
over the ten months IN 1891, and All
under the new tariff law. The value
of the entire exports Of this country
for the twelve months ending Marcn
81, 1892, Was q, o06, 284. 500, the largest
export BY far of any like period IN our
history. For 1891 the total value OF
exports was ts72 ,ooS. ESQ.
bxpssts Have Isessassa.
at 10 fact which would like 10
impress upon you and ali OF you that
our exports during the last twelve
months have increased l5.4i per cent
over the preceding twelve months,
while Britain exports under free trade
decreased for the calendar year 1871
SO per cent.
"0ne Of the sursst tests OF the pros
perlty Of the people 10 their savings.
what they are able to put by after they
have paid their expenses. Tried by
this test the United States hoids first
rank.
in Great Britain. with . population
OF 50. 000. 900, where free trade prevails.
there are $3.50. 00o, 900 deposited in cav.
ings banks, or $l4 per capita.
''ln New York. with protected indus
tries and population Of s ,000. 900. there
are $3.50, 900 900 deposited in savings
banks, or $50 per capita.
.'In Rhode Island the savings are
el15 per capita.
"ln Massachusetts, over $50.
"In the whole United States the
whole savings banks deposts amounted
IN 1890 to 81 ,524, S44 sos. But this only
represents . part Of the savings OF
American w0rkingmen. Millions Of
dollars are now put in building aud
loan sse0ciAttons. insurance companies,
numerous benefit associations and
many other places for future safety
and uses.
"And yet with all this the laborers of
this country, because of the high wages
assured them by our protective tariff,
live far better than the workmen OF
other countries.
MagniAcspt Plea for Protection.
ave are getting on better than We
ever got on during tho revenue tariff
periods Of our history. We are getting
on better than any Of our sister nations.
We have made matches progress in
the thirty .one years OF protectlon, and
no single year has been more salts
factory than the one just passed. Are
we TO abandon the policy under which
We have advanced to the first rank in
development and prosperity? bid my
countrymen pause and ponder before
taking the fatal step. Why should We?
Let the theorists and doctrinaires
answer. What do they offer in ex-
change; what assurances do they give
Us Of the future we'll being OF our
country under their system? Experi-
ence, which is ordinarily the best
teacher, they discard altogether, for
that experience In the history of our
own country il q conclusive condemna-
ton OF their principle and policy when
carried into actual administration.
England 10 the only free trade
country in the world. Is there any,
thing In her progress and civilization,
great 40 they are, in the condition OF
her masses, In her opportunities and
| possibilities, to invite Us 10 turn away
from our ancient policy? No American
citizen would exchange what we have
and enjoy for what England offers.
Docs this revenue tariff policy offer
more work and better wages, more OPP
portunities for labor aud skill and
effort, moro possibilities to the plain
people, moro savings, moro comforts,
more Independence, better homes?
Protection W.. Free Trade.
"Let tho men who have tried both
systems answer. Let those who have
witnessed with their Own eyes the con-
dition of the United States and Europe,
answer. Let those of our own coun-
trynlen who have felt the pinch Of the
revenue tariff from 1S46 to 1861 upon
their income and their wages, upon
earnings and Investments, answer.
Let those who arc too young to have
observed the condition of our country
during the low tariff period, read its
history. If they will no young man
will associate himself with that politi-
cal organization which is pledged to
fasten that policy upon US again.
al need not say to you what the
world knows, that this country, after
nearly one-third of century of pro-
| lection, has reached the proud position
| Of beng the first in manufactures, first
| in agriculture. and IN invention and
educational advantages for the masses,
| of all the nations of the world; that
labor 10 better rewarded; that skill and
genius command higher returns, and
the great body OF the people have wider
and better opportunities for advance
ment than can be found anywhere in
the wide, wide world.
Protection builds up; revenue tar
| III tear down. Protection brings hope
and courage TO heart and home; free
trade drives them from both. Free
trade levels oown; protection levels
up"