The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-03-02

Industries Crippled and Ruined and Pros
perity Fleeing Before tho Free Trade
specter-An Open Letter to the Hon. W.
L. Wilson.
One year ago the largest trade ever
known in this country gave promise of
prosperity and national wealth beyond
all precedent. Mills were crowded with
work and all kinds of business stimulat-
ed, giving promises Of the best results.
New enterprises started up to swell the
vast volume of commercial trade, and
every sign Of enterprise was hung out
over every door in the land. Yet in one
year the hopes have all been blasted, the
sun Of prosperity has gone down, and
gloomy clouds have covered the sky.
During the presidential campaign the
pledge was made that IF you will only
elect Cleveland your wheat will bring q
dollar bushel, corn will 60 up to the
highest figure, and the nation will enjoy
the greatest blessings ever known" r.
@. Dun, in his weekly report, shows
how this promise has been fulfilled on
Dec. 20:
Starting with the largest trade ever
known, mills crowded with work and
all business stimulated with high hopes,
the year 1893 has proved in sudden
shrinkago Of trade, in commercial disas-
ters and depression Of industries the
worst for 80 years. The year closes with
prices Of many products the lowest ever
known, with millions Of workers seek
ing in vain for work and with charity Ia
boring to keep back suffering and starva-
tion in all our cities"
The report of Bradstreet's gives but
little more encouragement and confirms
the sad testimony not only Of r. G.
Dun & Co., but Of every hopeless citizen
Of the United States.
The history Of this nation, which is in
large measure taken from the words
and sentiments of leading statesmen,
such as Washington, Adams, jefferson,
Madison, jackson, Clay, Webster, Lin
coin, Garfield, Harrison and host Of
others, shows that in tho periods Of free
trade, low tariff or tariff for revenue
financial disasters have always come
upon the land. It Is also true that the
national distress brought on by such un-
wise and un-American legislation has
never been removed until the people
came to their senses and compelled the
politicians to pass high protective tar
| iff law.
would say to you, in the language Of
Mr.. Cleveland, 1T is condition, not q
theory, that confronts us" and would
remind you that the condition is sad
one, and that it is the legitimate result
OF the free trade policy Of your execu-
tive and Of the principle set forth in the
Wilson tariff bill, Of which you are the
author. Reports from $50 correspond
ents Of the American Protective Tariff
league, from A states Of the Union,
show that the present depression is due
to the feeling created by threats Of tariff
reform. It is reported that delegation
| from West Virginia has waited on you,
protesting against the passage Of the
bill.
II you persist in this great reform Of
which the party make their boast, you
will only intensity the feeling Of dissat-
isfaction and will increase the financial
distress.
An able writer on protection, D. 81.
Mason, says: "All the prosperity enjoyed
~ tho American people-absolutely all
She prosperity, without any reservation
yhseevsC- C-ksom he foundation Of the
J uGo04 ek41peNgssgmaak down - -