New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-06
PRESIDENT HARRISON'S LETTER.

President Harrison has issued a message to
the American people. In dignity and elevation
Of tone. in breadth Of craftsmanship, in delbera-
ton and care of statement, it is worthy OF a
MACE with the ablest State papers OF the Ma
tion's history. His letter OF acceptance, Ill form
addressed to the committee from the Republican
| National Convention, is in substance power
| full review of the work which has been done
I for the country by the Administration and by
| Congress since power was intrusted to the Re
publican party four years ago. 1t directly APP
peals to the people to decide whether this work
merits vote of want Of confidence. The APP
peal is not personal Modestly the President
attributes to others a great share of the credit
for grand accomplishments. To the leaders
and members of the Republican Congress he
gives high praise. nor does he hesitate to honor
Democratic members who have faithfully
guarded the honor of the country in foreign
affairs More than once tribute IS paid 10
Mr.. Blaine, whose Jealous services, the freSi-
dent says. deserve the Nations thanks Inc
appeal is on behalf of the principles and meas
ures which the President so ably represents
President Harrison dcvOteS much OF his space
to most convincing statement OF the results
attained by the policy of Reclprocity' lie
shows how il has alarmed Great Britain ana
other nations how anxiously European traders
ara appealng to their Governments in some way
70 resist what they call "the commercial cru
SADIE of the United States; how British eX-
ports TO Latin American countries have de-
cllned S23.75O.OOO. while our own exports to
countries with which treaties have been maze
have increased 23.7 per cent; how great are
the benefits already secured for American 1afm-
ers and workingmen and he then appeals with
great power to the people to decide Whe'her
the party which styles this " sham reclprOcI'y,
and proposes 10 abolish it, shall be preferred.
The review of the results of Protection, and
particularly of the new tariff would gladden.
the heart of every American citizen, II the
minds of some were not darkened by partisan
prejudice. After showing that prices have been
lowered and wages advanced. that new indus
tries transplanted and established here and the
revival or enlargement Of others have gwen
EMPLOYMENT to many thousands OF American
men and women, and will each year give en-
pl0vment 10 increasing thousands" the PfeSl-
dent urges that its repeal "wOuld throw thou
sands out of employment ard give WORK 10
Others only at reduced wages Yet nothing
else than repeal can be expected from the party
| which declares all protection unconstitutional.
| This new departure of the Democratic party.
| The President well says, if executed would
at once plunge the country into business con-
yulsion such as it has never seem" BIt if II
be said that this radical policy will not be
executed if Democracy gains power, the Presi-
dent asks "What shall be thought of party
that Is capable of trihing with great interests?'
| 4. Al. ~ - f nsIps n
end the ealneStnesS of strong patriotism tha'
the President says "This mad crusade against
| American shops. the bitter epithets applied 10
American manufacturers the persistent disbe-
lief of every report of the opening OF TN
| plate mill or of an increase of our foreign trade
| by Reciprocity are as surprising as they are
| dscreditable"
Not less strong and clear is the treatment OF
monetary questions. At the very outset The
| Democratic demand for Il revival OF the old
| State bank system, or want OF system, II met
with an impressive picture OF the conditions
resulting from the Use of such currency, ana
in contrast the splendid results Of Republican
| legislation are submitted. Regarding the coin
age. President Harrison could not have spoken
more distinctly or candldly. He declares that
the free coinage of silver at such ratio to gold
as will maintain their equality i'll purchasing
power would conduce to the prosperity Of all
nations that 1.-the one essential condition. is
that this equality shall be maintained and de-
clares: Il am quite sure that if we should
now act upon this subject independently OF
other nations. we should greatly promote their
interests and injure our own" The bright
prospect of good results from the conference
of nations on this subject gives the President
much qualification.
In treating OF the freedom of elections, Presi
dent Harrison quotes from his last annual
message the proposal that bipartisan com
mission should be created to consider the evils
of election laws and appointments, and to sug-
gest some remedy. lie describes with great
| clearness and force the operations in Alabama,
and urges that parties and political debate
| are but moclSery if the judgment OF honest
| maioritics is to be reversed" lie advocates no
law. and says with truth that the Republican
party would rejoice if existing evils could be
met and corrected by action in the several
States. But such a commission as he suggests
would surely do much to prepare public opinion
for necessary action.
On many other topics President Harrison
speaks in this remarkable letter with power
which men Of all parties will recognize, and
with a spirit which every true American must
admire. 1t is not the letter of narrow par
tisan. Broad and lofty patriotism inspires it
throughout. 1t appeals to whatever is best and
most worthy of honor in American character,
| and TO the noblest motives that can actuate
American citizens 1t would not be crcditable
| 70 the people to suppose that such an appeal
will fail to have powerful and lasting effect.
THE RETALIATION QUESTION.
An impartial account of the causes which
have involved the necessity Of retaliation will