The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-13
DEPEW TO BRITISHERS
Chauncey Enlightens the Golden
ties on the Tariff Question.
He Tells Them Free Trade i'm the United
States Is a Myth and Tariff for
Revenue Only a Shadow.
NEW YORK. Feb. 12.-Advance sheets Of

Chauncey NJ. Depew's article in the Nine
teenth Century on Prospects of Free Trade
in the United States have Just reached
this country. Mr.. Depew wrote the article
while tossing about on the Atlantic on his
return from Europe. He says il Is difficult
for an American to understand the singu-
lar mixture of Information and misinforma-
ton which has created in the British pub
lie mind their impressions of political af-
fairs In this country. He then informs all
hands that the present Congress will do
nothing radical with the protective tariff
policy, and that silver was not the sole
cause Of our business troubles, nor the re-
peal Of the Sherman law the full remedy.
Mr.. Depew describes the Mckinley bill as
a codification Of the many tariff laws which
had been enacted since 1861, with such altera-
tons as changed conditions seemed 10 de-
mand. Mr.. Depew says of its reception:
1.-The measure produced unusual excitement
and alarm, because il was enacted on the
eve of a general election, and when a large
and comprehensive reduction of duties was
expected. It's possible evils were magniied
in prophecy, and there was no time for
demonstrating its results. The country.
frightened by the clamor. rushed madly
from the imagined danger of its enforce
~ " NHS AOo1 80 "a
olution."
OF Mr.. Cleveland. MI. Depew says: '"The
first election OF Mr.. Cleveland, in 1854
meant much, but accomplished nothing; he
was a sort of Prime Minister with a hos
tile Parliament. He could lecture Congress,
phenomenon in politics. When he came to
the presidency he had never visited Wash
ington. never met the national leaders and
never studied or discussed the principles OF
his party or of the opposition. He was an
excellent lawyer, possessed OF lndomltaole
industry, honest and he APP
piled himself earnestly TO the study OF the
tariff questions, and came out, where every
one whose knowledge of that subject IS
from textbooks rather than experience Is
bound to, on the side of free trade"
Mr.. Depew says that the result OF the
election of 1892 was a surprise; He goes on:
1.-The countrv was paralyZed by the plunge
1t had deliberately taken. Every industrial
and business interest in the land was In
extricably interviewer with and interde-
pendent upon the protective system. A party
had come into possession of the government
pledged to the uprooting of that system. 1t
ciple of protection was condemned by the
Constitution, and that its practice was rob-
berv and fraud.
the question eagerly asked from every mill
and mine, from every factory and furnace.
flee. from every corporation and working
man. The answer was fiat and frank: we
will Go what we promised If elected and
what YOU have specially commissioned ana
instructed Us to carry out There never
was so direct a mandate from a constitu-
ency TO an administration. nor an admin
iSt-ation which knew so well what was eX-
peCted OF it and what 1t intended TO accom-
plish."
Mr.. Depew then describes the readjust-
ment of business and manufacturing in an
ticipation of the proposed change. He states
that at least 50 per cent OF the mills, rae
to. les and furnaces closed their doors, and
that two million of people were thrown out
of employment. He tells of the calling OF
the extra session OF Congress in response
90 tha 6oDln nj for h ranaa1 nf no I've
law. and SAYS: "Ona-half of the Presidents
followers refused TO follow his lead, and II
required every resource known to power and
| authority to hold those who professed obedi-
ence to their elected chief. The wild horses
of Mr.. Gladstone obey every suggestion of
the bit with the reins in the hand of that
the wild horses of Nj. Cleveland plunged
and bolted at the start, nearly upsettng
Mr.. Depew then describes the elections
of 1893, and says of the result: The educa-
tional campaign for free trade, which. after
thirty years of earnest and ceaseless labor,
had finally triumphed, was in less than
twelve months turned into a disastrous
rout."
/ AS an effect of the election, Mr.. Depew
savs, the President FASTENED TO send a mes
sage to Congress reassuring the country
for existing business interests and the wages
of labor. Free-trade principles are aban-
doned by the reforIners; and the details Of
myth and tariff for revenue only a shadow"
Mr.. Depew says. Most of our industries
are stagnant, and the majority of our mills,
factories and furnaces in total or partial
paralysis, while the victors are experiment.
ing with the weapons of their protecttoniSt
enemies. If, under these conditions, the
much-heralded measure which was 10 repeal
the alleged atrocities of the Mckinley bill
and curb the reputed rapacity OF the tariff
robber baron ever reaches President Cieve-
land for his signature he will not recognize
it. In the meantime the people, harassed
with doubts and fears, losing money or out
/ 4f apoDlnypnont with tho irarxatianna Of do
spair or of hunger are claznoring for ac-
ton. Every days uelay is regarded as fur
Their evidence of incapacity for government.
Under these circumstances a miracle can
scarcely pass a measure which would ma
terially alter the present law, and only a
miracle can prevent the return of the pro-
tectioniStS to power"