The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-25
An Excellent Work.

There exists in this state, although
little known, IAN agency which in its
particular field sdoing excellent auxil.
inry work In the cultivation Of sound
political principles among the people.
We refer 10 the Farmers Protective
Tariff League Of Pennsylvania, the or
ganization Of which has been effected
largely through the fundamentally Of
N. B. CritchiOld, of Somerset, the
leagues present president: John Ii.
Lands, Of Lancaster, and j. w. Mes
bitt. of Allegheny. its secretaries; and
William Hertzler. of Port Royal, Juni :
alta, now its treasurer. Thelleague has
been in existence only three years, yet
during that time it has distributed
millions Of pages Of protection litega-
ture among the farmers, miners and
w~ago-earners of Pennsylvania, Ohio,
West Virginia, Delaware and other
states; and has contributed in no small
degree to the popular erection now
visible toward the Republican faith.
This usefulness could bs much in
creased by an increase in its avilable
funds. In u current address the league
very aptly says:
There is an imperative duty devolv ing
hpon the friends Of protection in this
country that has too long been neglected.
They must pay special attention to the
education Of our young men in the priu-
ciples and policy of the protective system.
The overwhelming Importance of this can
not be too strongly enforced. Thousands
Of young men in the several educational
institutions Of the country are having
their minds poisoned with free trade
theories ~eXpounded by teachers and pro-
lessons who are, mere theorists, who have
never performed manual labor
and have had no practical
experience in any business which,
as a rule. is a sure cure for all free trade
nonsense. Here in Pennsylvania alone VIC
have 10000 young men in the colleges,
aoademies and normal schools of the state,
many of whom will become teachers of the
youth Of tie land, in whose hands should
be placed from time to time sound protec.
ton literature which wall help to neutral
H. the free trade theories and low tariff
ideas found in most Of the ,bOoks on politi-
~capeconomy ia Libraries of our state at the
present time. To put protection literature
into the hands Of these young men is n
work to which the Pennsylvania Tariff
league proposes to address itself. IG is a
work in which every friend Of the protec.
five policy should willingly cooperate.
This is indeed. a work that cannot be
prosecuted too vigorously. There ia nc
greater need today than for a general
recognition among our colleges OF the
fact that this American country Of
u is, from its very location, origin.
settlement and training, an exception
TO European standards; that it needs a
philosophy Of its own, and = political
economy Of its own; and. above all, that
it needs a feeling among its people that
what lawful acts they propose to do
shonld not necessarily first be referred
TO England for gracious approval. The
protective system is one item in this
needed Americanization of America,
and whGtever tends to strengthen its
hold upon the intelligent young of our
country is to be regarded as a patriotic
deed, worthy Of cordial approval and
support