The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-12-07
Sheboygan, Wis, Nov. "a, 1893.

SQ6DOyRdQ, " H., NOV. II, 100.
The editorial which has called forth
the comments of Mr.. Blackstock, was
written SO long ago that perusal OF 1t
now by the writer permits him to judge
of its import without that bias OF thought
attendant on its production. 1t seems
to have been written with three govern
ing thoughts in mind, and to The develop
ment of these the whole article was IN
tended to be relevant. These are:
O That disaster so wide spread and
persistent must have adequate cause and
this could not be of instant creation.
(2) That any system of economics
which creates artificial values is an un-
healthy stimulant and its ultimate effects
invariably evil.
81 That large profits lead to expan-
sion beyond the limits of safety and are
responsible for credit system danger
GUS in its extent and proportions.
These facts have been we'll exemplified
in the late crisis. Mr.. Blackstock EVIL
IDENTIFY misconstrued the reference to the
Lappen failure and has taken as specific
application what was designed to be IL
Illustrative of general truth. A hastily
written editorial leaves much to the read
er to supply in the way OF connection and
appropriate reference. What was meant
was that protective tariff creates I'M
healthy conditions generally, as we'll rs
making certain interests it's special bene-
ficiaries. Its purpose is quick develop
ment. It creates spirit which pervades
the country. 1t makes speculation a
synonym for enterprise. at seeks the
chamber of the gifted boy" and he does
not wait that his thoughts be widened
by the process of the suns" but seeks
wealth by means which promise immedi-
ate returns. Lappen was finely develop
ed product of the system bred by the
protective tariff; so was Schlelsingler;
SO was Day; SO were many OF the banks
which loaned money on poor paper be-
cause it offered large returns. Our bust
ness was conducted largely on the Loul-
siana Lottery system; but that the gov
eminent suppressed while fostering a
system almost identical in its tendency
and much more destructive of legitimate
industry because more insidious IN its
operations. The tariff which was de-
signed to build up the business interests
of the country debauched them instead,
and our whole industrial system was SO
enervated by excuses that it collapsed be-
cause Of it's utter inability to sustain it's
insuticiently supported weight.
All great events affecting the destiny
Of nations, whether for good or evil,
have grown to maturity through the
seasoning process of time. There has
been neither war or panic of any dimen-
sions whose elimination has not been
preceded by causes running through
years Of the history of the country affect
ed, II the study of history has any value
1t lies in our ability to apply the ex-
perience of the past to the events of the
present, with view to proper action Ia
matters of public moment. The tariff
should not be political question IN the
sense IN which politics is now understood,
encouraging prejudice often ignorant
that party advantage may follow. What
we believe shouli be our honest utter
ance no matter whether it is orthodox
party sentiment or not.
The Pilot is honest in It's belief that
the evil times from which we are slowly
emerging are due to the system of pro-
lection which has grown from a mere in
cident of revenue to the APPALLING dimen-
sions of the Mckinley law, in which pro-
lection overshadowed the question of
revenue, as is shown by the title of the
bill: San act to reduce the revenue of
the United States"
Mr.. Blackstock asks why the lack
of confidence did not show itself about
the time the present tariff law went
into effect, or why it was postponed
until the democracy came into power?
In parity of reasoning he might be
asked if he believes the election of
Abraham Lincoln to the presidency
of the United States was the cause of
the war of the rebellions Or if the
Boston Massacre was the cause of the
war of the revolution? Or if the sue
cess of the splendid business he has
built up in Sheboygan was due to his
asst act Immediately preceding the as
sured prosperity of that business?
There was hardly a republican pa
per IN the country which. after the
election, was not asserting with the
boldness OF conviction, that the demo-
cratic party would not dare to mate
rally change the tariff laws. There
were not three men in ten, no matter
what their politics, who thought so
radical a measure as the Wilson bill
would be introduced. There was a
general belief that the status quo would
be practically maintained, and still
the panic came. Now that the worst
has come to pass in the submission of
a bill recognizing free trade to an ex-
tent that The Pilot, with its free trade
predictions did not dare hope for.
business keeps en- steadily improving.
Has the reality less potencyI for harm
than the fear OF what is to be-" Or
was the panic clearing house process
by which the accumulation of fungi,
the growth of mismanagement and
undue stimulation. was stricken from