The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1894-05-18
The Responsibility Of the Republi-
can Minority.


ity in congress To pursue regarding the
Wilson bill. That journal takes the
ground that patriotism is in order; that
above all things the business interests
of the country require for their pros
perity that the agitation on the tariff
measures should be settled; that some
thing definite must be determined on.
Better it be obnoxious to the political
creed of the minority than that the dis
cussion continue and the decision be
longer postponed. The Tribune thinks
that it is the duty of the Republican
senators to endeavor TO secure as good
a bill as they can, and then allow 1t to
pass; that is, offer no distractions to
the final passage of the pending Demo
cratic tariff bill.
With all Difference, we do not agree
with the views of the Tribune.
1t must be admitted that the industri-
al condition of the country is such as to
excite the anxiety of every thoughtful
citizen and to induce him to favor the
adoption of such course as shall offer
the seeming certainty of the settlement
of the troubles which agitate the coun-
try. in the interests of labor. 1t is
claimed that the capital upon which
labor depends for employment is in the
throes of uncertainty, not knowing
what to do, and therefore it is idle and
waiting The conclusion is reached
that, therefore, the Republican sena-
tors must put aside their convictions
regarding the justice of the measure
now pending before the Senate and,
for the sake of allowing the Democrats
to triumph, the discussion to be ended
The uncertainty to cease, they are to
cease their resistance and suffer the
Mckinley tariff measure to become a
thing of the past
For more than thirty years that the
Republican party controlled the legis-
lation of this country, it has with un
swerving fidelity adhered to the protec-
tive system in imposing duties upon
foreign products imported into this
country. The Mckinley bill is its last
and greatest tariff measure. 1t meets
she needs of agriculture more nearly
than any other tariff legislation ever
enacted in this country. 1t stands as
monument to the wisdom, patriotism
and faith of the Republican party that
is scarcely surpassed by any other act
in its hiftory.
When the Mckinley bill was pend
ing, the Democrats fought it in every
possible way. No Republican measure
has ever met with more bitter opposi-
ton than did the Mckinley bill during
its tendency before the two houses of
congress. The opposition succeeded in
delaying its adoption so long that it
only became law at SO short time
before the election that it enabled the
Democratic press and orators to so vi
tuperate and misrepresent it as to de-
ceive and alarm the people and occa-
sion the general defeat of the Republi-
can party in the election following.
The Republican party staked its faith
on the results of the working of the
Mckinley bill. 1t is a Republican
measure per sc. 1t embodies the creed
of the party on tariff. The Democrats
belle it, they charge up to it all our
woes. They propose to kill it, destroy
it; to supplant it with measure that
we believe has already, by its mere
shadow, spread CONSERVATION over the
land.
Who is responsible for the agitation,
for the uncertainty? Surely not the
Republicans. They had enacted wise
measure, as they firmly believe, under
which the country was prospecting. The
trouble began with the threat of the
Democrats to destroy the Republican
tariff, and has increased with their eff
forts to consummate their threats and
with the seeming certainty that they
would fully carry out their partisan,
sectional legislation.
Is it for the Republican party to stand
aside and let the Democrats succeed?
To accept as applicable to themselves
the charge that they are responsible for
the stagnation in the country because
they will not Supinely suffer the Demo
Gratis to destroy the best work of their
hands and to substitute for it such a
measure as will effectually assure the
permanent blighting of the industry OF
the country?
Let it be declared that the Mckinley
law shall stand, and not sooner shall
the glad tidings spread over the land,
than that the mists of uncertainty shall
dissolve beneath the rays of the sun
light of returning prosperity, and the
wheels of industry shall again hum in
unison with the spirit of confidence
restored.
The Mckinley law is right. The Re.
publican party is committed to it. The
Republican minority in the Senate is in
A.