The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-09-07
Ben Butterworth at Montpelier.

/
he spoke to the citizens of Montpelier in
the Opera-house The democrats have been
quoting largely from Mr.. Butterworth's
speech on the Mckinley bill delivered in
the house of representatives while the meas
ure was pending before that body. Circu-
lars containing extracts from the speech
| Qree trade nuggets they were called in the
| circular) were distributed among the audi
ence at Brattleboro, the point being TO
| prove that Mr.. Butterworth is opposed to
the protective policy, and that what he may
say in its defense should not be accepted as
a candid utterance.
Saturday night circulars containing quo
tations from the same speech of Mr.. But
terworth were scattered broadcast. The
result was that those who read the circu-
lars were anxious to learn how the speaker
would reconcile the seeming inconsistent
cies presented by his former attitude and
the one it was supposed he would assume
when on the platform. Both circulars were
handed to Mr.. Butterworth as he stepped
upon the platform, and while the band was
| playing he read the one issued here. The
other he had read.
The speaker, after paying tribute to
| Vermont, reviewing briefly her history in
helping to found and preserve the republic,
said in substance: We have met to consider
| questions OF supreme importance to all our
people. Democrats and republicans alike
desire that solution that will best subserve
the general good; that solution which will
happiness to the people. We do not differ
as to the end sought. We are not agreed
as to the best means. The nations laws
are traced under the guiding influence that
proceeds from the hearthstones of my coun-
| try. If the legislation is unequal and un-
just in its operation, the fault is with you
the people-for you are the source of all
power. You are sovereign, you are supreme.
1t results that each voter should cast his
ballot in accordance with intelligent con-
lxyfnf ataA 1n,x, -.
owe it to our fathers, we owe it to our
children, to deal candidly and conscien-
tiously in the discharge of our political
duties.
The circulars 1 hold in my hand and
which contain extracts from speech of
mine on the so-called Mckinley bill, deliv-
cred in congress during the tendency of
that measure, is doubtless intended for a
double purpose: first to disseminate the
truth, and second to make it appear to this
community that in defending the policy of
protection, as L shall. / am not consistent
with myself.
1 shall show, before leave this platform,
that am not only consistent but that on
the main points referred to in this circular
the congress | was addressing recognized
the truth and justice of what 1 said, and
wiped out the wrong l complained of, cor
recting an outrageous abuse of wise and
beneticent system. l will refer to the
items in their proper order. First, said the
speaker, let me fairly state the issue be-
tween the parties as it is defined by those
who were duly commissioned to formulate
the lssue-that is, the national conventions.
The democratic party says distinctly and
unequivocally that a protective tariff is a
fraud, robbery of great majority of the
American people for the benefit of the few
and, speaking by authority, the national
convention at Chicago promised the repeal
OF the tariff act of 1890. called the Mckinley
law, as soon as the democratic party shall
be entrusted with power. And my friend
Colonel Watterson of Kentucky, one of
the ablest and most brilliant men in the
country, man Of integrity and well ap-
proved candor and courage, shining dem
ocratic light, the author of the tariff plank
quoted, said: "The democratic party pro-
poses to wipe from the customs laws every
feature of protection" And speaking for
his party he invited the few democrats who
favored protection in any form to step out
OF the party ranks, as they do not belong
there. On the other hand the republican
convention. speaking by authority for the
party, declared in favor of a protective
tariff as such and indicated its proper
functions. The two parties are the very
antipodes of each other. One party is ut
terly wrong. If what the democrats say
about the protective system-if L may
use that term-is true, if the system
us fraud" if the system does, as
they affirm, "rob the great majority of the
American people for the benefit of the few, 1"
then it is indeed an iniquity and should be
remitted to the tender mercies of the demo-
Gratis, that they may, as they say they will
II entrusted with power, wipe it out and re-
move from the customs laws every feature
of protection. Now mark, my countrymen
the issue is not about schedule rates, it is
not whether this or that protective duty
shall be increased or diminished, but shall
the system be abolished? Should every fea-
ture of protection be eliminated from the
laNU / hot
cratic brethren say about the protective tar
i'll is true or substantially true, then every
prompting OF Justice, truth and honor must
be to stamp out the iniquity. If the testi-
mony given by the democratic party in it's
national convention is not libel on pro-
tective tariff it is the duty OF every voter in
Vermont to hasten the repeal of all laws
which protect home industry, and the way
to do that is to vote the democratic ticket.
Legislation should be just and equal in its
| operation. If IL be true that laws enacted
Tor protecting home industries are not equal
in their operation, if they are partial and
hence unjust, they cannot be defended
II the democrats are right, and if they
will do what they solemnly affirm they will
do-that is, abolish the policy of protection
because it is fraud and robs the great ma
jority for the benefit of the few-this will
happen If in November next you by your
ballots turn over to that party legislative
and executive control in the nation.
lou, men anu women OF vermont, Will
have to compete in the markets of your own
country with the products of all the mills,
mines, quarries, shops, factories and fur
naces of the world-without reference 10 the
character of that competition. If the
workingmen of Vermont want it, for one
favor giving it to them. If they have in
vestigated and found out that the protec-
tive tariff is, as the democratic party af-
firms, another name for fraud " and is
scheme devised to "rob the great majority
of the American people for the benefit of
the few, y they are not good citizens if they
fail to help the democrats tear out every
feature of protection from the customs laws
l have stated the issue submitted to you as
voters, If it is robbery TO protect your
workingmen, vote the democratic ticket
and put stop to the robbery-and take
your chances,
Mr.. Butterworth then defined protective
tariff and explained its function. He said
protective tariff deals with conditions and
not with national boundary lines. Its func-
tion is not to destroy competition, but to
impart to it the quality OF humanity and
fairness The speaker reviewed the his
tory of tariff legislation, the necessity for
1t in order to enlist capital, secure skilled
! workman establish nlanta ato Ia ahnvua1