Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-17

20 be employed In states where prosec-
tionist sentiment Is too strong TO De en-
tirely neglected
vention adopted = platform ON which
Henry George aud General Butler could
stand alike, on which Roger Q. Mills
talked free trade In Texas, while Samuel
]. Randall upheld protection In Penn
sylyania; IS ia 1888. when they rszf-
frmed the straddle Of 1884, SO. il seems,
in 1889 the Democrats are about 10 re-
pudiate their own platform and appeal
10 the country rs moderate pro,ectionists.
while their Official utterance commits
them 10 absolute free trade Some there
are indeed who have the courage Of their
convictions, who believe that the Demo
Gratis should stand true to their eolors
and u the free trade cause of which
they have avowed themselves the lead
ers. The Chicago Herald. for instance,
does not mince matters when it says:
Already the cry Is raised that the
Democratic platform means free trade
Well, 50 be- IT, The platform certainly
means Q tariff for no other purpose than
To raise revenue. II means no tariff to
force self sustaining industries TO con-
tribute TO the support of mondicant in
dustries. That comes Is near to free
trade as anybody but the single taxer
wishes 10 come. II that Is free trade,
the Democratic party is for free trade
without qualification or reservation"
When we note the ringing tones Of
this free trade declaration. whose cour-
age cannot fail TO excite our admiration,
though we disapprove Of the declaration
itself. how different the cowardly shift
ing Of those Nugwump-D Democratic jour
nails, the Rochester Herald and Spring
field Republican,:
The Democratic party proposes to con-
struct its tariff for revenue in a spirit
friendly TO all industries that need and
deserve Observation-Disclosures Herald.
We have not the slightest fear that
the party which declares for tariff for
revenue only would. if given the power,
seek by single stroke Of legislation to
readJust customs duties to the revenue
standard exclusively, or that revision
will proceed in any other way than slow
ly, with due regard for protected in
terests.-Springheld Republican.
This in spite of the fact that the Dem
ocratic platform positively and uncom-
promisingly asserts that protection or
anything like protection il unconstitu-
tional and demands that ''the collection
of such taxes shall be limited to the
necessitiesof the government honestly
and economically administered"
The issue is as clear as it can be. The
Democrats disavowed all regard for pro-
tected industries and protected work
men when they rejected the platform
which asserted that all tariff revision
would proceed with the purpose Of Gin
juring no domestic industries, but rather
to promote their healthy growth" and
adopted a plank that did not declare any
such purpose, but merely demanded a
tariff for revenue only. The very words
of this platform convict these journals
of willful deceit. On the one side is the
Democratic party ''for free trade with
out qualification or reservation" as tho
Chicago Herald says. On the other side
are the Republicans, their record the
Mckinley tariff, without doubt the best
and most thoroughly protective measure
ever enacted, and their platform declar-
ing for ont and out protection. Pre-
varication is Of no use; denial VIII not
avail. Protection against free trade is
the issue, and On that issue the people
will judge and decide.
Balance Of Trade.
A balance Of trade in our favor means
q balance Of profits in the pockets Of our