The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1894-09-21
SENATOR CULLoM,


the most prosperous ana powerful
on the globe, and that its pros
perity can be promoted and as
sured only by a continuation OF
the wise and progressive policies un-
der which cur uneXamplc growth aud
progress during the past thirty years
have been made possible. He then re-
viewed the history a1d achievements
Of the Republican party, contrasting
it with the Democracy, which, he said,
has always seemed t. be troubled with
what might be termed constitutional
obliquity of vision upon public ques-
tions and its pathway Of late resembles
that of a staggering inebriate. IL it
ever poss essed either purity or patriot
ism it has lost its reputation for both
since the present Congress convened.
It's more recent triumph' have been
signalized chiefly by display Of affec-
tion for sugar trusts and display IF
hostility TO American industry and
labor. How long the people will toll
crate Democracy, however slightly
seasoned with mugwumpery, remains
to be seen.
Mr.. Mac Veagh, the Democr tic can
didate for Senator, had asked Mr..
Cullom to tell him what the Re ublic-
an party proposed to d. with the tariff,
whether it would ruin business by re-
opening the tariff discussion in case it
were returned to power, whether it
would re-enact the Nc inley law or
accept the German bill as final solu-
ton of the quest on.
Mr.. MacVeagh evidently thought
that he had put the Senator in a hole
by these questions. Hi, reasoning
was somewhat as follows The lie ub-
licans have all along been complaining
that the country was suffering from
the mere agitation of the tariff ques-
ton. They have even gone so far as
to cry for the passage OF Democratic
bill in order that an end might be put
TO a distressing period OF uncertainty.
If. therefore, the agitat on of the ques-
ton is a disastrous as they claim, be-
ing far more injurious than any sort
of settlement, how can they ever con-
sistenty reopen the tariff Ct ntroversy?
To this purely specious and alto
gether contemplate argument Senator
Cullom replies: The agitation prior to
the passage of the German bill caused
a paralysis OF business because the
business interests of the country
were waiting to accommodate them
selves TO read iustment that must
inevitably work them i'll. They were
in the position of man who / ; expect
ing a blow, ana felt that anything
would be better than the sus ense.
Hence their eagernass TO have the
thing over. But the Republican party
does not now and never has proposed
tariff changes that would bring disas-
ter to any one. Its revisions are not of
the sort that destroy.
1T has revised and reduced the tariff
at intervals of a few years when it has
been in power, and when it returns To
power it undoubtedly viii puisue the
same policy and revise AMI reduces !,
tariff duties whenever the constantly
changing conditions OF CONNIE roe and
competition and OF the reven es Of the
Government show it to be advisable or
necessary. 1t has made these revisions
in the 7 asst without disturbing or stop
ping the business of the country and
what it has done it can do again.
Senator Cullom then went int full
review OF the struggle ove4' the tariff,
showing how the incompetency of the
Democratic party had unset led bust
ness and paralyZed industry every
where. He called on the Democrats
who charged that the depre ssion and
distress which followed Cleve lands in
au suration were the result of Republic
can legislation. to explain w it hap
pened that under the same legislation
the country reached the llood tide OF
prosperity when the Republicans were
in power. He pointed out how when
President Cleveland COW ened the
Democratic Congress in extra session
silver was attacked instead of the tar
if, how the Cove nment revenues kelt
falling. how the public debt was in
~ h. of 4
bonds how after the passage Of the
Wilson bill by the House the Senate
began to make it protective in order
that the curse might be warded off.
He showed how the Democrats kept
on demanding protection in n tariff re-
form bill until 6i2 protective Senate
amendments were swallowed by the
House at one gulp. He quoted leve-
land letter TO Chairman Wilson ask
ing him how the Democrats could face
the people.
Senator Cullom discussed silver and
financial affairs at some length. He
said free trade and every approach to
it is hindrance TO bmetal sm Every
dollars worth of foreign goods con-
sumed by the American people mu t be
paid for in gold, thus drawing from us
the gold we require in order tn maintain
bimetallism. Protection is the natural
a. y of b metallism, and togethe they
constitute policy distinctly American.
He was in favor of double standard, :,
and desired that the end sought for
should be accomplished thror gh an in
ternational universal conference of the
chosen representatives of the princi-
pal nations of the world.
In closing. the Senator said that u
Republicans did their duty great Re-
publican victory awaited them in No
vember. When it comes, and with it
a Republican Congress, good. times
will come again.