The herald., 1894-10-14
CONGRESSMAN WILSON'S SPEECH
IN LONDON.

II it is not an indiscretion or q crime
citizen of the United States to accept, in
his occasional visits to foreign coun-
tries, social attentions or public compli-
ments from distinguished persons or in
fuential corporate bodies, in those
countries, then is it impossible. on mere
grounds OF propriety, to censure Con-
gressman Wilson for attending the ban
Quet that was rendered him recently in
London. 1t is never an indiscretion in
an American statesman, on a visit to
London, Paris, or Berlin. to avail him
self OF the hospitalites OF those cities,
provided that he be sure OF his head
and his stomach. And yet the Repub-
lican orators and newspapers. in the
present campaign in all the states, are
denouncing the distinguished member
OF congress from West Virginia in vilest
terms. because OF his acceptance OF by
no meana unusual courtesies at the
hands OF some leading CONNIE rcial men
OF London-forgetting, apparently, that
Garfield was once banqueted there, for
q similar reason-he was known to be in
favor of increasing commercial free
dom the world overland even did
not decline dinner at the Golden club
These same people, too, are pleaaed to
give grand dinners to Chauncey Dspew
alnos. every summer OF his life. 30 it
l. hr 10
Republicans crime in noted Ameri-
can to place his legs under Londoner's
festive table. What, then, is there
wrong in the case OF Congressman Will
son? Why is he in the Republican
newspapers held up to abuse? Why is
he made tho text of denunciatory
speeches on the Republican stump?
Why it is that the Republicans in this
campaign have not sound plank to
stand upon in their drifting old raft.
Not one convincing argument, and not
persuasive zane word, have they 20 offer
misrepresentation and abuse is their
sole reliance.
Even Mckinley on his stumping tour,
as well in the east as in the west, does
not cay just what he would do and ad
wise should he have in his hands the
govern ment's powers. But in every one
OF his speeches in Illinois and Iowa he
seems not ashamed to misquote and
berate Congressman Wilson. This dis.
regard OF candor and decency in the
chief advocate of oppressive taxation by
the tariff is an offense of which no man
endowed with statesmanlike quail
ties would ever be guilty. Much
less do his rivals for the
leadership of the Republican party de-
clare themselves fully on economical
questions. They rightly fear to advo-
cate the re-snactment of McKinley's
disgraced law. Indeed, nothing in poll
ties ie more certain than that bis law ia
dead for good and forever. Reed in
Maine so treated it; Cullom in Illinois
says it will not be brought again to life /;
Allison in Iowa never was and never will
be high protectioniat.
What then? Oh, the issue is-Wilson
in London--he dined there (horrible y
and made epeech and (terrible disap-
pointment y did not put his foot in his
mouth. So. before the great congress-
man should have the time to return to
this country, garb!e6 extracts from his
speech, aud fraudulent paragraphs,
were made to do temporary service.
Now it appears-the speech itself has
come over in the London newspapers
that nothing could have been more ap-
propriate, candid. true, and patriotic
than thia very same speech.
The HERALD has the speech in the
London Times. A few genuine extracts
may be printed here that will suffice to
put indelibly the stamp of dishonesty Y
upon the Republican speakers and
wrters that, hereafter, shall misquote
and mierepresent Mr.. Wilson.
In the Introductory paragraph Mr..
Wilson characterized protection as @
policy. and showed that. if it were a
wise policy, it should have benefited
this country. This is the paragraph:
For the last 25 years we have been
following the policy of the Celestial
empire. For the last 25 years we have
adopted the policy OF commercial ex
cluson; we have called off our ships
from tho seas, and have clipped the
w;nga of our induatry and enterprise
Nsver before In the history of the
world has the protection eystem had an
| opportunity to work out its benefcenl
results, ifit had any, in so vsstaQ arena
never before has it been go far tested
as TO ite fruits and tendencies. and never
has it 30 conspicuously demonstrated
it's own falsity, its utter impotence at
an economic factor, and it's incompati
bility with pure government and homes
administration.
He reminded his hearers. that for
whole generation the people OF th,
United States had been taught false
economical doctrines, and told them o
the labor 1t had been 10 daabuse on thi
head the minds of the people. "AmonI
other trials. we have had to reckon with
the difficulties of some of our protected
Industries. with the crafty selfshness o
others OF them, with the honest de
iusions of our working people and tn
equally honest fears OF the farmers, ant
with that general and potential. If some
what hazy, sentiment that taxing our
selves for the cake OF American indus
tries was an American and patriotic act
and that those who opposed 1t mer,