The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-01-04
THE TRUE DEMOCRACY
EARLY Policy Of the Party Was
Always for Protection.
Wanted American Raw Material for Amer
loan Manufacturer Always Frsmeda
Tarin TO Protect American Far
mers-Free Trade Was Never
the True Democratic
Doctrine.

In March, 1882. senator Benton, In
speaking of Clay's tariff resolution,
called attention TO the fact that our
domestic manufacturers, having a high
tariff on their fabrics, were producing
many from the raw material OF foreign
countries, 10 which he objected. He
showed that our fax fabrics were from
foreign fax, and he cited wool, hemp,
| indigo, hides and furs, or which five
articles we. had imported in six years
TO the value of more than S25, 600, 900.
| He noted that "this immense sum has
been paid to foreigners instead OF TO
American citizens. and said he trusted
that, in the modification of the tariff:
The farmers and planters OF the United States
would be admitted into the benefits OF the
American system and secured In tho domestic
supply OF tho raw materials to our manufnc-
turers hope for this much for the farmers
and for the honor OF the system For nothing
can be more absurd than to erect domestic
manufactures upon foreign (raw) material;
nothing more contradictory than TO predicate
independence for goods upon dependence for
materials TO make them OF; nothing more in-
iQuitous than 70 give 90 the manufacturers the
home market OF goods and not 20 give the far
mors the home market OF raw materials. l am
friend OF domestic industry and intend TO give
Il fair protection under regular exercise OF
the rcvcnue-raising power. Above all am
friend OF the cultivators OF the earth. Gong
Debates I'D LIST Oe3i-e), Vol :. part !, page es7-
b00)
This Is not quoted to show that Mr..
Benton was protectionist, beyond
what was known as discriminating"
or sincidentar protection, but to prove
that he stood with Silas Wright. James
Buchanan and all the great lights OF
the earlier democracy on the agricul-
tural question of homegrown raw ma
terial and not for free or foreign raw
material.
Mr.. Clay. In February. 1882. said:
IL has been alleged that bar iron. being raw
material, ought 10 be admitted free. or with
low duties, for the sake OF the manufacturers
themselves But take this 10 be the true
principle: That n our country Is producing
raw material OF prime necessity, and II with
reasonable protection we can produce IL In suf-
ncient quantity 20 supply our WANTS that raw
material ought 10 be protected. although IL may
BE- proper 10 protect the article also out OF
which Il Is manufactured.
In Mr. David A. Wells special report
as commissioner Of revenue of January
3, 1867, he recommends the recognition
and adoption, as tho basis of present and
future legislation, of the principles Of
'abating the duty on raw materials TO
the lowest point consistent with the re-
quiremcnts OF revenue. and OF placing
on the free list such raw materials--the
product mainly OF tropical countries--as
are essential elements In great leading
branches of manufacturing industry,
and which do not come In competition
with any domestic product" Senate
Doc 80, I'd, No. l, page 34.)
These sentiments apply TO sugar, 10
cotton, rice, hemp, tobacco, flax, bar
ley, and 10 coal, lumber and iron ore.
The theory of free raw material Is ms
delusive, unsound and erroneous In
conception as II would be disastrous
TO our country. IL finds no warrant In
the political history Of this country
worthy OF indorsement II would be
especially harmful To agriculture II al
lowed TO run its course, and II once
adopted as policy, at what point or
product would IL stop?
IL II true that leading men In both
parties At an earlier period In the his
tory Of the country, endeavored 10 dis
cover some way In which our manu-
facturcrs might be given the raw ma
tLEAMA AN0W ~ 0At Jul OWn rhtt WAtH0ub
the duty. They desired TO do this In
order TO build up our manufacturing
industry. but IL was never proposed 20
do 50 at the expense OF our farmers.
Mr.. Hamilton proposed TO take the
duty of Of cotton--mal<e II free" and
then give the planters a bounty on II.
Louis McLanc, OF Delaware, dem
second secretary Of the treasury under
Jackson, In his report dated December
=, 1881, said:
Any amount OF duty = raw mate
rial "A. 20 It's extent an injury 20 the manufac-
turcr. requiring further countervnilng protcc-
ton against our own rnther than foreign rcgu-
latiors and II Il only 20 be justified by the
paramount interests OF agriculture. In that
case u would deserve consideration whether
the encouragement OF an object OF agriculture
might not be more properly reooncicd with the
encouragement OF the manufacture. and with
greater equality regards other interests by
bounties rather than BY duty on the raw ma
terinL
Desirable as II was thought 70 be TO
give our manufacturers free raw ma
terial. IL was never proposed 70 strike
nt our farmers In order TO secure that
result
New Yorker. Know "a.