Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-10-25
Mr. MsSWEENEY'S SPEECH.

The Gifted Democratic Orator Makes
sp endid Exposition Of the Tariff
NEW MARTINsvILLE, Va VA. Oct. 2A
1oMs Eaitor or ths REGISTER:
SIR:-At the urgent request OF a
large number Of our citizens the Hon.
Ed McSweeney, of Pittsburg, Pa,
again addressed in his mastery and
matches manner a large, appreeia-
tive and exceedingly attentive audience
at the court house last Saturday. He
spoke for three hours and cOnhned
himself exclusively to the tariff ques-
tlon. Il Is but the truth to say that
MeSweeney's speech was by far the
strongest and abiest tariff speech ever
delivered in the Wetzel county court
house. This seems like strong Ian
guage, but is no stronger than true.
His speech indicates q studiOus and ex-
haustleSs research into the mysteries
OF the tariff, aud the methOdical
manner in which he handles the Ques-
ton is unsurpassed. The soundness
OF his reasoning carries conviction TO
the mind OF any fair and honest man.
He INDUCES in no flights OF oratory'
but speaks In tone little above the
conversational and Tivets the closest
attention OK every one from
the beginning to the end OF
his speech. IL is scholarly aud intel
leetual treat rarely enjoyed. He began
byan explanation Of the word tariff and
showed that it had its origin In vice and
I'm inioulty and that tariff was levied,
without warrant or authority OF law,
upon merchantmen by pirates and free
hooters. He separated the question
into tariff for protection, tariff for rev.
enue and free trade, and gave clear,
lucid and plain explanation OF eacn
branch OF the subject, with the logical
effect upon the industries Of the coun-
try. Tariff for protection maintains
and uerpetuates the existence OF the
prOftless industries by levying a tribute
or contribution upon the profitable In
dustries, which theory or system is alb
surd and contrary to the laws of nature.
That such q system adds nothing TO the
aggregate wealth Of the nation, but on
the contrary causes an unequal, unfair
and unjust distribution Of the honest
toll Of this land. That by this system
the profitable industries are reduced 10
minimum, and are made TO stand
drain the like OF which has never been
known, and but for the boundless re-
sources of the land would speedily end in
disaster and ruin. The tariff for pro-
lection was the seat Of corruption, be-
cause the benefciaries OF the system
filed the halls Of Congress with lobby
lists to corrupt its members, corrupted
the voter and the ballett-bOx, circulated
pamphlets throughout the length and
breadth OF the land, containing ingeni-
Gus, delusive and false arguments IN re-
gard TO the effect Of the tariff for pro-
lection; and this, too, with money
wrung from the people engaged In the
profitable industries, IN order 10 main
tain aud perpetuate this unhOly, cruel,
unjust and unnatural system. That
the benefciarieS Of this system under
stood thoroughly its logical effect, were
alert and keenly alive 10 prevent any
change that would reduce 10 to an hon
est basis, and knowing full well that the
system is antagOnistic 70 the masses,
and that II the opposition could be
united the system must fail, they were
fndustrlously aud cOrruptly resort
Ing TO every means within their power
10 distract the minds Of the opposition,
and prevent the people from uniting
and crushing out the infamous system,
and TO this end were furnishing the
sinews and encouraging the Organiza-
tion Of a third party, or anything, to di-
vide y sasaaOple whose Interests they
~. Ia against protective tariff.
Whaa4rcSj ectacle 10 witness! That II
individuals engaged in Improbable iu-
duStries the logical end was inevitable
financial ruin, so il is with the Nation
when she undertakes to foster, encour-
age and hold up the Improbable indus
lries by levying tribute or contribution
upon the profitable ones. The logic is
the same. Let us get rid of the un-
profitable industries, and stop the drain
upon the honest toll OF the Nation, aud
engage In the profitable Industries based
npon the natural law of supply and de-
mand, then peace, happiness, plenty,
prosperity, justice and honesty will
prevail; in truth every individual will
receive that which he honestly earns
aud no mUre, and fair and equitable
distribution of wealth will follow. The
national law of supply and demand is
the only solution Of this veXed and mis-
understood question, and this national
law should not be interfered with, eX-
cept TO meet the necessities OF the gov
arnment, honestly aud economically ad-
minstered. That the law Of supply
and demand was the GOd-given national
law upon which all commercial transac-
tiOns must honestly rest, and that no
human law devised by man could change
10 without doing violence 70 honesty
and justice. Tariff for revenue was
fully explained Free trade, be said,
was synonomOns with human liberty.
Man was unrestricted in carrying into
execution his natural desire 10 trade
and barter wherever he could 40 the
best for himself and family, but that
free trade eouRd not maintain
In this eOuntrN on account Of
the necessities on the government.
He said the people must study this
question thoroughly with view to
honestly extract Vhe truth their minis
ters viii drive tn ySm 20 it, and when they
have found thej truth must apply the
remedy. Truth is mighty and in the
end must prevail. The protective tariff
placed the farmer on a minimum basis
as a sG6er and on a maximum
basis aFta purchaser of his necessities,
and n = farmer and laborer land con-
sumeS naturally fall heir 10 all the
az IS and excuses the protective tariff
Al us country contained. McSweeny's
AJeech was replete with excellent
kpoints and sound logic and reasoning
all through.
Hon. John II. Brown Dead.
Spscicl Correspondents Of :as Register.
New MARTINSyiLLE, w. VA, Oc-