The National tribune., 1892-09-15
A BLAINE LETTER.
The Maine Statesman Presents the Issues OF
the Campaign.


The Maine Statesman Presents the Issues of
the Campaign.
Hon. James G. Blaine has written letter to
Hon. James II. Manley, Chairman Republican
State Committee of Maine, which has been
made public. Mr.. Blaine says that not being
able, for reasons already given to MIR. Maniey,
to deliver public speeches in this campaign, he
takes the liberty Of submitting his views on
the issues which he regards as being strongest
for the Republicans to urge before the people.
The issue of the greatest consequence, he
says. is the tariff on imports. The Mckinley
tariff is found to have worked admirably, and
within the last year has produced greater
volume of business internal and external, I'M
port and export, than the United States ever
transacted before Notwithstanding the char
acter and extent Of the opposition to it. agri-
culture is remunerative, manufacturers are
prosperous and commerce is more flourishing
than Mt any previous time, thus vindicating
the Mckinley tariff by an impressive and I'M
denabe series of facts.
Against this tariff the Democratic party has
taken position almost without parallel IN the
history of the country. They reject entirely
the doctrine OF protection, pronounce it fraud
and anathematizo it generally.
Mr.. Blaine continues:
II anyone will take the trouble TO read the reso-
luton by which Mr.. Calhoun sought to defend his
notification scheme ia 1888 he will find the tariff
platform of the Democratic party in general har-
mony herewith.
The Dem ocrats are in the habit of naming Jeffer-
the founder of their party; and yet, on the
subject of tariff they are in radical opposition TO
the principles laid down by Jefferson. Toward
the close Of his administration the revenue from
the tariff on imports produced considerable sur
plus, aud the question was. what should be done?
Should the tariff be reduced should this sur
plus be maintaineds Jefferson pontedly asked:
shall we suppress the imposts and give that adj
vantage to foreign over domestic manufacturers"
For himself he recommended that :" the imposs be
maintained" and that the surplus created should
he appropriated 10 the improvement OF roads,
canals, rivers aud education"
If The Constitution did not give sufficient power
to warrant these appropriations, Jefferson went so
far as to recommend that it be amended. This
presents the strongest condition of affairs upon
which protective tariff can be justified, and Jeffer
son did not hesitate to recommend 1T. The Demo-
Gratis Of the present day it is needless to say are
the direct opponents OF the policy which Jefferson
thus outlined and adhered to.
Mr.. Blaine declares that when the principle
of reciprocal trade was first proposed to be in
troGuced into the tariff system the Democrats
showed as much generous appreciation of the
question and gave it their support so long as the
Republicans refused to accept: but when the
Republicans came to approve it the Democratic
support vanished, and instead of favoring we
find the Democratic National Convention pass
ing resolution hostile 10 the system.
in spite of this we have obtained through
reciprocity new and valuable trade, and the
system has demonstrated its many advantages
What would have been the result TO the United
States il every article that was put on the free
list had been made subject of inquiry TO see
what we could get in exchange? We omitted
to do so for many years That neglect has cost
the Government advantages in trade which
would have amounted to tens Of millions of
dollars. This is the whole of the reciprocity
scheme. 1t is very plain and very simple.
1t secures valuable trade in exchange for ar
tices otherwise destined to be put on the free
list
Mr. Blaine goes on TO say:
Prior 10 the war we had the worst currency sys-
tenn OF any enlightened Nation in the world. The
State banks, with some exceptions. were thor
oughly irresponsible. They existed by thousands
throughout the United States. Wherever Of
them failed the result was large loss and great
distress among the people. No one was response
bic for their bills.
Since the close of the war all this is changed
Every paper dollar that circulates among the peo
pie has the United States behind guarantee. All
the banks that exist are under the control OF the
that their bills shall be paid by securities
deposited in the Government vaults. Under
these circumstances II Is matter for extra
ordinary surprise that he Democratic Con-
vention should deliberately pass resolutions
for the revival OF the State banks. The pal
pable effec: OF his policy il carried out, would
be TO cheat the poor man out of his daily bread.
II State banks be adopted, and the circulation at
tain a large .ssue no device could be more deadly
for the deception and despoilmeut of all The
nierciai and laboring classes. We're the system OF
Stale banks revived we would again have dis
counts at the State lines large charges for drafts
and financial centerB. and general suspicion of
every bill offered in payment. with liquidation
every few years that would be a destructive loss to
the innocent holders Of bills and Il corresponding
profit to tbs parties owning the banks
The three issues which have given the
issues upon which would arragn the Democratic
party. would not multiply issues nor be diverted
by oar opponents from steadfast adherence 20
and constant presentation of these questions be-
fore the people until every voter is made TO know
and understand their true and weghty signifi-