The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-25

George Ticknor Curtis Thinks There II
to BE One.


to Be One.
The following very interesting letter
from George Ticknor Curtis appears in the
american Economist of December s.:
RicHFlELD SPRINGS, November %, 1892
W. +. Wakeman, ESQ, General Secretary
American Protective Tariff League, New York:
Dear Sir-The New York Times in its issue of
Yesterday thus quotes approviagly from the
london Economist:
at must never be forgotten that there 10 no
Free Trade party yet in the United States, but
the difference between the Democratic and the
Republican party is substitution of moderate
for extreme protection. The Republicans desire
to remove all their home manufacturers from
the competition of foreign producers, while
democrats Will give q fair measure of protec-
ton, however, with the possibilities OF competi-
treated"
This is tho temperate advice of the London
Economist, one of the most convinced free trade
Journals in England, TO its readers. 1t repre-
sents the view that is taken now, aud has been
servers OF the situation in America 1t is essen
TALLY a SOUND view. We commend it to the
attention OF Senator Hawley, OF Connecticut,
whose mind seems still dsrkened by forebodings
OF d saster from the influence of the recent cleo
ton.
The London paper is entirely mistaken. There
is free trade party in the United States. II is
the Democratic party as now organized and led.
BY its late action 1t has entirely renowned the
principle of protection, maintaining that any
protection 10 both unconstitutional ana I'M
Democratic. How, then, can this party favor
what the London paper calls moderate" pro-
lection? The difference between moderate and
extreme protection is difference OF degree: but
the oinerence between any protection at all and
no protection At all is q difference OF principle
The Democratic party, as it is now organized
and led, repudiates all protection. II makes no
account OF degrees: it goes for the destruction
of system. On the other hand, the Repub-
lcan party. adhering to the constitution and to
the policy that has been pursued ever since the
constitution was made, seeks to preserve the
principle of protection, and it does not seek to
determine what possibilities OF competition"
can be provided for, $50 that consumers may
not be unfairly treated" We want no compe-
tition between our own manufacturers and
foreigners in our own market in respect TO the
same articles. We can furnish our consumers
with as good articles as can be brought from
foreign countries; or. If there are some articles
produced in foreign countries that are of a
superior grade to those made here, let our con-
sumers who want such luxUrieS pay an en-
HANGED price for them. This has always been
our policy, and 1t always must be, ii we mean
to maintain our independence and to keep the
control of our own industries in our own hands
Senator Hawley's mind may be ''darkened by
forebodings OF disaster from the influence OF
the recent election" suppose the Times con-
siders that my mind is equally darkened. The
difference. however, is that the senator is a
Republican and am Democrat. Ii Mr.. Haw-
ley is in the dark, it ia darkness that he shares
with all tho superior minds that have governed
his country for period OF a hundred years. IL
am in the dark, il Is a darkness that share
with Webster and Clay and Jackson and Van
Buren, and Buchanan, and all the great lights of
the Wing and the Democratic party.
The truth is, that when political party re-
nounces principle in which it has long acted,
there must inevitably be great peril to the pub
lie interests, unless the opposite party can sue
coed in winning for that principle the
continued supper, of the people. Yours, very
truly, GEORGE TIcKNoR CURTIS