The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1894-04-20

IL one measure more than all others to
be credited to the Republican party that
was instrumental in overthrowing the
rebellion and contributing TO the
national prosperity, IL was the act
establishing the National currency and
the National banks. However much
the Northern Democracy detest every
thing of Republican origin, the benefits
of our National currency are so great
and SO apparent that they are Obliged
TO concede them. The older generation
of people whose experience antedates
the war are very well able to contrast
the great advantages of the present
monetary system over that of the former
period, which was based upon the state
banking laws-the period of unsafe,
wildcat, fluctuating currency. 1t is
well understood that the issue OF notes
of state banks is prevented by the
Notional law imposing tax OF ten per
cent on all such bills. This act secures,
as it was intended to do, the utter ban
ishment of all state bank bills
But now the Democratic majority in
congress, by its caucus decision, de-
clares that it will ababrogate the tax
on state bank issues. This determine
ton comes not from the North, but
from the South 1t is the southern
wing of the party which clamors for
the taking of this disastrous, retrograde
step. 1t is impossible that the motive
can proceed from any other feeling
than animosity against the North and
its prosperity, and that the substitution
of National currency for that of the old
state banks is SO strongly associated
with the humiliation of their overthrow
in the great struggle which they them
selves instituted, that they thus seek To
return to state bank issues. 1t is re-
assertion of the doctrine of state
rights"
The same is true of the tariff measure
the so-called Wilson bill. This abomin-
alton was drawn by southern Democrats
by southern Democratic committee
by men who had early imbibed the
free trade state rights doctrines of
Calhoun and his school of extremists
and who had fought for them through
the long and bloody rebellion. 1t is not
in the nature of things that they should
forego the teachings of lifetime when
the opportunity has come TO them to
carry out their views and to consummate
IA revenge, all in one. The bill at the
same time seeks to protect the South
and TO punish the North. So anxious
are these Southern brIgadIers to hamper
n Northern industry that they propose
measure that provides for a great reduc-
ton of revenues in the face of the fact
that there is already "A serious deficit for
which no provision is made and which
is sure To augment if their measure is
carried through.
Inadequately the South proposes to
meet the shortage which their tariff
measures will leave by imposing an in
come tax. This also hits the North,
since comparatively few people in the
South are the recipients of an income
equal to the limit proposed as the basis
of taxation.
The South has no knowledge, no ex-
perience, of the varied industries that are
the basis of Northern prosperity The
men of the South who are in the National
legislature have only theories that are
the outgrowth of the old-time sla, e
plantation period, and they formulate
a bill that is for the benefit of the
European manufacture and producer,
instead of those of our own cOuntry-a
bill that causes rejoicing in Canada, and
anxiety and dispair among the farmers
of Michigan, New York and New Eng
land. Can any one give any rational
reason for the proposed tariff measures
than the desire for the downfall of N orth-
ern prosperity?