The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-04-18
A BIT OF TRUTH.

a learned judge once remarked that
''the truth will crop out at times even
in an affidavit" and Senator Lodge at
least called attention to an impressive
truth when he compared our present sit
uation to that Of England fifty years
ago. At that time England was in the
struggle to throw off the system of pro-
lection which she had fostered for CEN
turtles, and 10 advance to free trade.
What was England's condition then?
What prosperity had she to show for
years of tariff robbery in the building
up of her industries? If there were any
benefit in protection England should have
shown it at that time. and should have
shown it especially in her agricultural
industry for that was more highly pro-
tected than anything else, and agricul-
ture could be protected in England be-
cause England imported breadstuffs in
large quantities. Let us turn back to
1874, and here is Mongredieu's picture of
England in that year:
What with heavy rents based on high
prices, and comparatively low prices con-
sequent upon a good harvest, farmers
were sorely tried, and they cut down the
wages of their men to the utmost en-
durable point. In many districts the
farm-laborers. ignorant and torpid. had
TO submit to a pittance of ) shillings,
6 shillings or 7 shillings G1.20 to 1853
per week. and their misery drove them
into savage despair. RicSburning and
incendiarism i'm various forms became
ri in ba Of Gnf nd
folk, and the agricultural section of the
empire exhibited a striking exception to
the universal Improvement. In startling
contrast to this fact was another fact
that they were by far the most highly
protected class in the country.
1t may be suggested that this was an
exceptional year and the condition was
due to exceptional causes. We turn back
to 1871, and here is the record:
Meanwhile, the state of the country
was most deplorable. A bad harvest. the
universal stagnation of trade. and
financial crisis had combined TO spread
the deepest distress and desolation
among all classes of the people. But it
was in the manufacturing districts that
the sufferings We're most frightful. Some
Of the details quite appalling and
testify to an intensity and universally
of restitution. starvation and misery to
since the adoption of free trade in
England can show the slightest APP
proach.
Now let us move on to 1912:
Universal distress was prevalent among
the working classes-hence Chartist dis
affection and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
was languishing and the ranks of mer-
chants and manufacturers had been
decimated by failures-the rational rev.
enue had year by year been diminish
ing. while the national expenditure was
increasing. and there was heavy de-
felt to make good--there had arisen a
loud cry and z formidable agitation for
a free commercial policy, and specially
for a total repeal Of all duties on corn
Il. e grain).
Verify. how like our present situation,
and from the same causes. Protection
had reached its limit The nation was in
the condition of drunkard who had
reached the stage Of drinking raw
alcohol. and 10 whom even that was
no longer a stirnuiant. But let us pass
on TO 1913;
The year 1s43 opened in gloom and
dependency. Trade prospects had not