The Columbus journal., 1896-01-15
LET LABOR PONDER.
PROTECTIVE POLICY MEANS PERMA
NENT PROSPERITY.

gans No Longer t.avo E6ecf-A Nov
Snare lnveuted by tho Eaemy.
The annual address of tho American
Protective Tariff league. prepared by
Hon. Joseph E. Thropp, at the request
of the board of managers, is rs follows:
To the American Voter:
Since our last annual meeting much
has occurred to justify the organiza-
tion and continued work of tho league.
The protracted discussion of the tariff
by the enemies of the protective system,
who had been intrusted by tho vote of
1892 with the control OF the govern
ment. and the widespread suffering
which resulted through their vicious
distortion of facts. had q tendency to
cause the more timid protectionists to
become discouraged. and they seemed
willing to compromise ON almost any
terms Some senators became SO alarm
ed, as the couditiol. of the country con.
tinued to grow worse under the strain,
that they feared to resort to extreme
measures to prevent the passage of
tariff reduction law, lest their constitu-
ents. in their anxiety for ''peace at any
price" might not sustain them.
We felt this depression, fear and un-
certainty, but knew that the battle was
for the industrial welfare of our people
and country, and we strongly urged SEN
atols to resist tariff reduction to the ut
most, believing that few weeks of un-
s,>k~, <o~ 90
years under bad law. All did not re-
sist as we had urged. and the result is
tho burden of . Mongrel tariff law.
This law affords inadequate protection
to Our workingmen and industries.
fails to renew prosperous times and
does lot afford enough revenue to meet
the oxpenses Of the government
The league had to contend against
the discourageinents referred to, but its
officers felt that the cause which we ad-
vocated was the peoples cause, and
that the appeal should be made to the
peoples representatives. Efforts to gain
needed support were systematically
pushed; means of reaching the people
through the press Of the country were
largely increased; facts showing the re-
suits Of tariff tinkering were carefully
gathered and widely circulated: whole
some truths were constantly presented
to the thoughtful voter to show him the
dangers which confronted him. The wis
dom Of this course has been fully vindi-
Gated The revolution which took place
in the public mind. as shown in Novem-
Der last, has never been equaled in our po-
litical history. Catch words or phrases
no longer blind the people. Such slogans
as ''Tho tariff is tax, a" ''Robber bar
ons, Taxing the many to enrich tho
few, etc. 10 longer have effect.
The newly invented phrase. Tariff
agitation must be suppressed because it
Injuries business. is q purposely mis-
leading snare OF the enemy. The people
know that all American interests grew
and were made stronger during the dis
cussion Of the law Of 1890. moro and
moro as it was made manifest that safe
protection Of our industries would pre-
vail. and not . single American interest
was injured. On tho other hand, after
the election of 1893, as it became more
and more certain that protection would
be weakened. industry after industry
felt tho biighting effects of threatened
free trade, which eliminated in the pas
sage Of the Wilson -Gorman monstrosity.
The people arc in favor Of protection.
They are determined to have the Ameri-
can markets for American products. II
those who should be their leaders and
lack courage. the American
voters do not
Now that q calm review OF tho stu.
alton can be taken is seems proper to ex.
press clearly the views and policy Of
the supporters Of the league. We be-
lieve that our country has varieties Of
soil and climate enough to produce
nearly if not all that we - . people |
need, and that hidden beneath tho sur
face are mineral resources sufficient to
add to our comfort and wealth. We BE-
lieve in developing these under an
American policy and an American sys-
tenn Of wages. We believe in considering
first our own markets-tbe best in the
world-and protecting them; then We
favor trading with foreign nations where
the result is trade and not simply pur-
chase-in other words, reciprocal trade.
We know that II we produce what we
need and sell It within ourselves We as
, nation have both the products and the
wealth-while II we per-
nit other nations to produce and sell
10 rs we may have their products, but |
they will have our money.
Protection laws are not sectional, but |
apply in their benefits to all portions Of |
our land The people by their votes
have indorsed this view. For the first |
Time in many years the ''solid south"
has been broken. and pFntectionist sem
atoGs have been elected from the south |
10 help restore the United States senate
10 the friends Of protection. The people
have learned that no wall divides the
north from the south. tho east from the
west The tariff Laws, which have en-.
The advocacy and discussion of
lower tariff have invariably brought
ruin and destruction: but. on tho con-
hary, the advocacy and discussion Of
protection have brought success and
to every American interest
We do not believe In tariff for rev.
niue with incidental protection. but we
10 believe in tariff for adequate pro-
lection. We know that the wisdom Of