New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-14
GEN. HARRISON on THE TARIFF
THE PRESENT DISTRESS DUE TO THE
WILSON BILLS MENACE.

INCIDENTAL PROTECTION THE OLD DEMOCRATIC
DocTRINE-THE Ex-PREsIDENTs ADDRESS
BEFORE THE LINCOLN LEAGUE OF
REPUBLICAN CLUBS OF INDIANA.
indianapolis, Feb. 13.-The Indiana Lincoln
League of Republican Clubs held its annual con-
vention here to-day. re-electing Marcus r. Sui
ger. Of Madison, president and r. +. Mansfield,
of Muncie, secretary. The reports showed over
500 clubs in active operation. In the evening
mass-meetng was held, at which ex-Presdent
Harrison made a speech He said, in part:
There are some people who hold that an eX-
President should be political deaf mute Laugh,
teri | do not accept that theory. a man VINO mas
civil place in the Government ought not to have less
interest in those things that concern the prosperity
country than he had before he took the office
Unless he exceptionally dull man. he must
men have acquired enlarged undo rstandlng OF
those principles that enter into the administration
way y[ Of introd"ciicn When il agreeable e the
peopgS ana o0nEsnSnt GT me S"a iee' "
The present condition of our country Is not one
of prosperity. We recently prosperous ana
any man. but to great policy that had been
The present distress which we enjoy is not due to
any man. but, | think, to the imminent threat
of n reversal of the old policy and the institution
of a new (Applause)
| am not one Of the ancient landmarks but my
memory. easily runs back to a time when Inom iina
A. Hendricks and Joseph f.. Mcdonald were repre-
sentative Indiana Democrats. | have heard my es'
teemed and amented friend M McDonad' eek. eXi
pound the Democratic view OF the tarif. he san
that it the accepted principle OF the Demo-
cratic party that the expenses Of the fhn
was only proper and right that in laying these
duties they should be imposed upon SUCH articles
and in such a way as to give incidental protection
to the American manufacturer ana the iaDorer.
That the old Democratic doctrine II II were
10. sbo had nppn
on those linos-it would not have been so hurtful,
because the present necessities Of the Government
are such the demand is for such large sum to
meet our annual expenditures, that If this sum were
now to be collected by customs duties. and those
plot and who were sincerely friendly TO the Amer
lean manufactures and laborer, we might get along
pretty well. tAppause.)
But there has come new gospel, and a new
creed has been adopted by the Democratic party
ton is unconstitutional and that IT is better 10 re-
sort to exceptional extraordinary and even odlous
methods of direct internal tax than TO derive the
necessary revenues from importations. applause }
We used to hear great deal about me war tarilt
IRENE: they searched out every source OF revenue,
foreign and internal The tax-ga ga, iad ms ms
50 soon as the Government had recovered ltselt
an i' s mon The work Of removing these war
taxes. well remember. while was in the Senate,
the passage OF bill repeating the law imposing
stamp duties patent medicines, pertumery and
such like articles left remaining Of the internal
tax only the duties on whiskey beer ana tobacco
And now. by those VINO have - often and so Wig
oruisly denounced taxes. are invited to use
some methods of tax that have been generally used
In time Of war. What - the explanation of TINS?
l. IL that duties cannot be 50 laid TO raise the
necessary revenue? Not all II Is that there are
those who are not willing that even the incidental
protection that results from the collection II the
SHALL the benefit II the American manufacturer
and laborer. AppauseJ
CAUSE or THE PRESENT DISTRESS.
Whether we are right in thinking that this threat
Of severe reduction IN the custom duties Is the
caus, OF the present distress not Is n question
70 which tho attention Of these Lincoln League
clubs might probably be given II would be well II
in all your meetings this question were looked into
and the root OF all those influences that have
brought about the present stress and condition OF
things were dug out and examined. IL IS generally
accepted now AS right principle that our city
councils. our county commissioners State Leg
slatures should all egslate TO create work for the
unemployed. You may read in the same newspaper
page appeal TO the city council to APP
proprate money 10 inaugurate = pubic work 10
give employment to the unemployed ana on another
article favOring the proposed system OF ts-iff
reduction that closes American mills. (Appause.)
The Republican theory has been all along that II
was right - 50 eglslate as 10 provide work, en-
pioymcn;. comfort the American workingman.
We believe that the National Government has a
duty in this respect. well as the city council ana
the board OF county commissioners. applause
And that duty Is best discharged by 50 legislatnS
that American mills can keep their fires going. CAP
IiauscD
| have by your cordiality been betrayed into say
ing more than | intended. | hope you VIII excuse
from further speech-tcries Of Go inland
allow me 10 thank YOU and 10 express my earnest
hope that this meeting OF the Lincoln League VIII
result In renewed activity in every quarter of the
State OF Indiana