The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-17
HONE MARKET FIRST.

Until we have perfectly conquered our
own home market to its fullest extent
where prices are sufficiently high and
maintain the dignity Of the American
wOrkingman through fair wages-until
every stroke Of LABOR and every hour of
toll that can be done at home is done here
and at fair wages, it is simply crime
against humanity to foolishly att empt to
conquer the worlds markets at the evi.
dent loss of reducing our own voting pop
ulation to an industrial slavery, like that
Of the Old world.
1ndeed our American institutions are pi-
teous failure and gigantic lie in the face
Of suffering humanity, II we are not to do
politically aud socially more for the work
ing classes tbal the aristocratic govern
ments of Europe Where, then, is the su-
periority Of our form Of government il we
are not to secure to the working popula-
| ton any economic advantages superi or to
| those enjoyed by the workingman of the
| old world? | will even affirm that if the
economic advantages to the laborer en-
| jOyed in our country are to be simply
| those due to our vast natural resources
and are not direct consequence of an in
| telligent economic system, established by
our legislators, then indeed is our Democ-
rscy lie also, and in no wise superior to
European forms of government.
1t would seem to me that the United
States are on the eve, either Of peaceful
erolution of our economic system toward
a more and more equitable form Of De-
mocracy carrying along with IL all the pos
sible solutions OF the veXed social prob
lens that now confront us aud threaten
our very existence as nation, or else a
violent and bloody civil war is again at
/ T., p.aN i Il ~
times, that the elements of this rerolution
are far more visible and turbent through
out the length and breadth Of our land
than were the causes Of disaster for ten
years previous to 1860. which eliminated
however, in our terrible civil war.
II we SOW the wind, we shall certainly
reap the whirlwind.
In the heat OF old abolition times the
supposed recognition Of negro slavery by
| the constitution was often called "a cove
nent with death and an agreement with
helln
But as the patriotic North and West shed
freely their best blood and treasure to
maintain the Union and wipe out slavery
| forevery, II there were unwittingly any
agreements and covenents OF the kind il
the constitution OF our forefathers, they
have surely been more than Cancelled,
LABoR's TRUE EMANCIPATION.
IT, however, after having liberated the
black slave, our great Christian republic
is now through Free Trade to adopt a pol
icy that must be inevitably rivit the
chains faster and heavier on the white
slave Of capital, then, indeed, my
friends may we we'll exclaim that the q,
covenant with death aud agreement will
help has been renewed under wors
form and n worse revolving aspect thar
the original,
For my part am willing to sustain th,
cause of Protection to home labor Rnt
seal my convictions at any cost, because
my reason and common sense the pas
history aud present deplorable condition
my country-all prove to me cuucus
Nely that Protection il indeed the tru
cause Of labor and the first and foundation
stepping stone toward the progressiv
emancipation OF the working classes q
our great republic.
hold. therefore, that it is not opl
acivic duty, but also n Christian dut
, Of the highest order to boldly advc
cate tho cause Of Protection TO home labo
irrespective OF party-aud expose n
clearly as possible tho illusions, the falla.
oies and fatal tendencies of Free Trade.
Let us not sell our birth.right for A mes
ofpotage Let us not criminally begin /,
, degrade our working population TO tb
brute level of the pauper labor Of the oil
| world with the merciless heel of Industrial
! tyranny on its neck.
On the contrary let us rise in our al,
nifty and manhood With a full sense or on
> high calling as free mon and Chri etian
Let us first elevate our own workir
classes and develop tho untold natur
riches of our vast and fertile country
the highest degree.
Z Then let us step forward, if we wish, an
, conquer the worlds markets. But let 1
at the same time carry abroad to the toi
t ers OF humanity throughout the earth q
3 glad ttdings OF tho sound and human
+ economic principles that have first led
- the emancipation of our own toilsrs m
. realized among them tho practical worj
0 ings of Christ's mission through Christit
u brotherhood.