The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-06-01

prvcr4.'i e. .a-inrs~ uvtr sAe disas-
t,.u, .,l,ira. ras ~s#i j lS0a
and 1874, Dlei, sos up,rl al iie~trrlr
was hanging over us.
The German tariff, as IL became law,
| was not nearly 50 dangerous to the best
| interests Of the country as the frec-trad-
ers had desired to make it. but they
have not lost hope. The free-tradc idea
is not dead by any means. Its friends
are now conducting more active and
vigorous campaign than they have ever
done. Their work is more thorough and
systematic, and they are openly advo-
eating a plain, unadulterated policy Of
iree-tradc. which they were formerly
afraid to do. and which used to he con-,
cealed under the cloak Of tariff reform.
Every effort is made TO create the inn
precision that business interests must
not be disturbed by reopening tariff dis
cussion. Meantime. the Irce-traders are
vigorously urging the adoption Of the
irce-trado policy and are endeavoring To
gain converts to their cause by steady
and systematic work. Is it possible,
however, TO avoid thrift discussion when
the present administration within two
years has added Sl70,000,O0o 60 our
debt and it's desire To provide for deiic-
iencics has been demolished by the SUI
prcme court? What prospect is there
that the debt under the existing policy
will be diminished? Is there not much
greater prospect that IL will be in
creasd?
The precedent has been established
that we must pay exorbItaut rates OF in
terest for money that we are compelled
to borrow, and as the existing tariff
simply creates deficiency that grows
larger from month to month, is not this
prima iacic evidence that we must again,
and before long. become borrowers?
What will he the outcome al this poll
icy Of debt? Can we, and forever, con-
tinue borrowing? What signs are there
for the better? Where are the signs OF
prosperity? Can we expect TO borrow
and borrow without the slightest hope
of making settlement with our crcdi-
tors2 What has England done in the
case OF Nicaragua for n paltry $75, 900
debt? How are we to pay the sixty odd
million dollars borrowed recently from
the Rothschilds with our present econo-
mic system that produces ~ government
deficit OF upward OF $50,O0O,00O n
year,
II the new tariff creating greater pros
pority among the people than the Me-
Kinley tariff did? Are the people earn
ing AZ good wages now AZ IN 1892? Are
they saving as much money now as
then? Is the output OF our factories as
great? Are prices as satisfactory both
to the producer and TO the consumer?
There was no monthly treasury def
cheney during the enactment OF the Me-
Kinley tariff for protection, but there is
regular monthly deficiency in the
treasury under the German tariff. The
people cannot be prosperous; with a
bankrupt treasury that is impossible.
To avoid tariff discussion is simply
the act OF q man driven to desperation,
who would rather sink than make an CT
fort to save himself. Shall we he con
tent TO be carried along like driftwood,
stranded on some bank or rock or
washed out and lost in the ocean, No,
we must stem the tide. Never was there
more need, nor more cause, for active
Of iree-trade that is now in lis incipiency
an! which na;;st, Il persisted In, ulti-
mately result in our utter extinction ne
a leading commercial and industrial ma
ton, placing us In subordinate posi-
ton among the great powers OF the
world, without influence and without
respect.