Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1894-08-09

The destructive free trade policy of
prostration to which the country has
been subjected since March, 1898, in
volving in its course an unprecedented
volume of ruin and wreckage, the clos
ing of factories and the idleness of labor,
suggests the imperative necessity for the
adoption of some course hat will ade-
auately protect American labor from alb
solute want and from further COMPETE
ton in the labor market which the free
trade party has so dlsastrously caused to
be oversupplied.
1t has been the policy of the American
government for upward of a quarter of a
century to invite labor and settlers from
abroad. This policy has built up the
country to an unprecedented degree
The large number of new arrivals created
a greater demand for our home products
and manufactures, stimulating both
Our lands were opened up and settled
upon. The country grew greater and
richer just so long as protection was af-
forded to the products of our lands and
looms.
But the very moment that the shadow
of free trade overcast our system of pro-
lection the condition of the country and
of the people began to change. The ter
rible effect of the fear of the free trade
policy of prostration was shown in
few short months by a million idle la
borers scattered throughout every state
in the union. Even now those men who
have been fortunate enough to again Sc
cure work have done so, III most in
stances at reduction of wages. Their
earning power has been lessened, but
through no fault of their own.
Immediately before the presidential
election of 1892 the question of protec
ton to labor was worked for all it was
worth by the New York Herald, that
free trade organ deluding the voters
with one of its many catchpenny cries.
But nothing has been done to assist labor.
The old election cry was forgotten more
than year ago, and the free trade party,
which The Herald represented and advo-
Gated, Immediately upon its assumption
of administrative authority began to de
grade and ruin labor by imposing its poll
icy of prostratlon to American labor and
industries SO great has been the injury
wrought upon labor by this policy of
prostratlon that The Herald has been
compelled to aid in the alienation of the
distress wrought by its party by the
+ charitable distribution of free clothing
What does this free clothing mean; 1t
means direct insult to honest labor
Men are not begging for clothes. They
I l. G., NO Il
its ilk dragged American labor down to
| beggary in the interests of foreign labor
But they have done nothing and advo.
Gated nothing for American labor since
November, 1892. Their ante election ut
terances have vanished like vapor. La
Dor can no more believe what they say
or promise and does not believe them.
Why does not The Herald now prepare
and publish an act to prohibit lmmigra-
ton in the interest of that American
labor which it loves so we'll at election
time. but which it merely uses at other
times as an advertising catchpenny to
add eoppers to its Golfers?
Labor needs now more than ever it has
done the strongest form of protection.
The ruinous policy of prostration has
ruined and Frustrated American labor
The immigration of foreign paupers
should be absolutely prohibited. We do
/ not mean to restrict immigrants who
come here apply supplied with means TO
settle down on farms i'll the west OF else
where, and vino will make good citizens.
but we do mean the absolute, entire
! thorough and complete restriction and
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