The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1892-04-09

gued. The life of the Republic may
depend on the one. The prosperity of
a people upon the other.
The difficulty with which some So
called politicians grasp the principle
becomes apparent when it is stated
that many of them make more fuss
over the cost of n pair of yarn socks
than they do over a plain violation of
constitutional rights.
The tariff issue is not, rs is claimed
by some, fundamental. There is no
party but believes that il is easier to
collect taxes by means of tariff duties
than by any other method. But when
it comes to the question whether the
tariff shall be for projections for pur-
poses of revenue only, then the
principle involved becomes fundamen-
tai, and assumes an Importance far
above and beyond dollars and cents.
A tariff for revenue necessarily
carries with it amodicum of protection.
This vas never denied by the fathers of
democracy, nor was this incidental
protection in the early days of
the republic, nor should it now be
grudged to the men who receive it.
For we certainly desire and need man
uf~actories. We need u home market
for the products of our fields and stock
pens. Very untnoughtful and IMPROVE
dent would q government, especially
such an one Us ours, be to not foster by all
legitimate e every industry within
Its borders. A judicious tariff does
this. 1t is incidental protection to the
manufactures, and agriculture and
pastoral enterprises are benefited by
having a large class of people engaged
in pursuits that do not come in compe-
tition with themselves.
Technically speaking, the only diff
ference between the democratic and
republican parties on the tariff ques-
ton, is, one believes IN tariff for rev.
enue only, the other, that the tariff
should be protective.
In discussing this difference, which
is great in principle, but in dollars and
cents an unknown quantity,a great deal
CT buncomlbs Is discharged, and hours
expended in speech making, that tend
more to confuse than enlighten the
public.
With all the to-do that was made
over the Mills bill by the republicans,
who at once assaulted it as n free trade
measure, its practical effects would have
only been to lessen the tariff tax about
$50, 900 900 per annum. 1t was de-
Tended as a measure that would save
untold millions to the people, yet its
actual saving in tax, was estimated at
less than IS cents per capita, per an
mum.
The Mckinley bill was set upon as n
law that would absolutely rob the
masses, and all classes of merchants
made haste about thirty days before
the bill went into effect to notify all
their customers that they would be
compelled upon the going into effect of
the bill to advance prices on all their
goods, wares and merchandise, from
Is to so per cent. The democratic
campaigners took swift advantage of
these advertisements and circulars and
played. sad havoc with the republican
column. But after the campaign was
over and prices were adjusted to the
new order of things, it was found that
carpets, trace chains, hosiery, cloth
ing, grindstones, needles, tin cups and
buckets, calicoes, domestics, ~fiannels,
etc., etc., etc., could be sold at the old
stand and at prices just as cheap, if
not a little cheaper than before. The
leading exceptions were buttons, which
went up,and sugar, which went down.
That tariff is a tax paid by the
American consumer is no new truth.
1T is one that has been known for
years. But the government must have
revenue, its current expenses must be
paid. Hence the tariff tax is a necessa-
ry one. We must either raise a reve-
nue. by q tariff on imports Oh collect
it direct from the people.
But behind the Mckinley bill, is the
real enemy. 1t is called protection.
1t is the intention of the bill to protect
and build up n class of citizens AT
the expense of another class. That is
opposed to the cardinal democratic
idea that all are entitled to the same
privileges. This bill does not protect
the laborer, it only protects the EN-.
ployer of labor. Him only it enriches
Him only was it intended to enrich.
Here is the wrong of it. Hereis its viola
tion of principle, and because of that vic.
lation it should be fought, no matter
what's its effect on the pocket book
because principle is of far more value
than dollars and cents.