The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-01
iyi7-st
Protection the Issue.
THE EnrnOR OF THE NEWS.

To THE EDITOR OF The NEWS:
II Mckinley Is to be elected the Re-
publicans must everywhere insist that
Protection is, in the language of the st.
Louis platform, "the foundation of
American development and prosperity"
Under a protective tariff. with a liberal
although limited coinage OF silver at the
present legal ratio, the country was pros
porous, and prosperity continued, not
abated, but rather augmented, under the
Mckinley act in connection with the
Sherman silver purchase act.
Harrison was defeated in 1892, un-
happily for the country, not because of a
revolt against protection, but because
OF the disarection OF the silver Republi-
cans. This disaffection was most in
furious in it's results to the cause of BIZ
elected the Mckinley tariff would have
given us a long period OF abounding
prosperity and 40 legislation hostile TO
bimetallism would have occurred. From
the hour Of Harrison's defeat the pros
perity OF the country was checked.
The certainty OF the repeal of the Nc
Kinley tariff depressed business and
brought upon us panic. President
Cleveland mistakenly attributed the
trouble to tho Sherman silver act, und
carried through Congress the repeal of
that much abused law. Repeal brought
no relief. The WilsonGorman tariff,
with its large measure Of free trade, in
tensified the distress. There is but one
remedy for the existing condition, and
that is the restoration OF protection.
The important problem of judicious
bimetallism may be safely left TO a Re-
publican Congress and to the tried ana
well proved craftsmanship OF Mckinley.
IL victory is to come to thu Repuoli-
cans in this extraordinary campaign it
must be by brave and determined adhe-
sion to protection as the controlling
issue.
On Thursday, July 30, Mckinley
sounded the true keynote. when be de-
cIared. "Some OF our political opponents
are given to saying that the tariff ques-
tion Is settled. We believe that the tariff
question is settled--settled in the minds
and hearts OF the American people, aud
settled on the side OF protection. but.
however firmly it msy lie settled in the
public mind, 1t Is not yet settled i'm pub
lie law. What Is in the hearts and con-
sciences OF the people touching any
public question is not effective until it Is
written in public statute"
The silver question has been under dis
cussion for 20 years, but party hines have
never been drawn on II, and they can
not be drawn now to the advantage OF
the country or the Republican cause.
In the West both parties are divided on
silver, put the Republicans are united on
the tariff. The Republicans will recall
and heed the words of Senator Tburston
of Nebraska, In seconding the nomlna-
tion Of Mckinley at st. Louis.
"The prosperity OF nation IL in the
employment OF its people, and thank God
tho electors OF the United States know
this great economic truth at last. TIE
Republican party does not stand for
Nevada or New York alone, but for both /;
not for one State, hut for all.
Its platform is IS broad rs the land, as
national as the flag. Republicans are
definitely commlttet to sound currency,
but they believe that IN government OF
the people the welfare of men is para
mount to the interests OF money. Their
shibboleth for this csmpsign Is pro &C.
tion. From the vantage ground OF their
own selection they cannot be STAN
peded."
EDWIN {. PIERCE.