Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-08-06
To Republican Editors.
fAmerican Economist }

| am so much gratified to know
that there is one source (the Ameri-
can protective tariff league) from
which some voters of the country
are getting some instructions upon
the protective question during tnis
campaign. j think 1t a great mis-
fortune that the entire republican
press Of the country, and nearly
every republican leader, has. got
ratified and gone daft on the cur
rency craze. The republican lourn-
ais for the last 30 days have done
more to make votes for Bryan on
this issue than could be done In six
months by every silver journal and
orator in the country. They present
to q great republican constituency
the whole currency argument and
every speech of every democratic
candidate. Three-fourths OF their,
space, and that the best part OF IL
is given up to organs side OF IT IN
this campaign, and about the only
notice that / see of Mckinley ana
protection is the advertisement OF
campaign song.
A Member Of the League.
Meriden, Conn, July -, 9G.
This rebuke Is, we regret to say,
meritC q. And when 1t is brought so
forcibIy to our attention we must
admit that it is subject which has
often been discussed, at the office of
the league, by friends of protection.
This is by no means the first time
that republican editors have follow
ed the lead of democratic papers.
Nearly two years ago, just after
the election OF 1894, Hon. Henry
Watterson, Of the Louisville Courier
journal, sounded the keynote of the
democratic campaign, as follows:
A strong effort will be made in the
next democratic national conven-
tion to send the tariff issue to the
rear and raise the strange banner Of
free silver.
With consummate skill this idea
has been cleverly worked up and
spread broadcast throughout the
country, not only by democratic
editors but also republican editors
as well. Here in New York, time
and again, it has occurred that the
democrats papers have started po-
lltical ideas, for democratic interests
only, to be indorsed by New York
republican papers. And these opin-
ions are taken up and eXpounded
everywhere. What have republican
papers to do with democratic prin-
leiples? Nothing, but to denounce
them. Have democrats ever achieY-
ed any particle Of good for the
United States? Never. Why in
dorse them, then? They are mis-
chief makers, ruin makers, destruc-
tionists and wreckers Of industry.
What democratic policy has ever
brought prosperity to this country
None. Why on earth, then, sustain
any single policy that that party adj
yoeates. 1t Is the business and the
policy OF democratic papers to create
discord in republican ranks. 1t is
| their desire to secure the spoils OF
Office for their followers that inspire
these mischievous policies. Yet re-
publican editors often follow them
blindly.
What, pray, is the matter with the
principles and policies of the repub,
lican party? bid they ever harm OF
/ hurt our people or our country
| during d third Of century Of repub
lican administration? Was it no
the republican policy that almos
wiepd out our war debt? Is it no
democratic policy that has increased
our debt in time of peace? Was /
not republican policy that has made
as the richest nation OH earth? Is /
not democratic policy that heei
improverishing us since 1882 Wa
it not republican policy that devel
loped our enormous industrial, min
eral and agricultural interests? l.
it not democratic policy that has beei
lruining them? Was il not republl
can policy that found new avenues
Of employment for, and advanced
the wages of, American LAHORE Wa
ii not democratic policy that Great
ed CoNey's army of unemployed, ane
reduced wages? OF what concern
then, should any democratic idea
or policies be to republicans and RI
publican editors? None, except FOL
the purpose Of exposing their harm
fulness, their idioey and their mis-
chief.
These words are written in kline
spirit--for the good Of the Unitec
states, for the good Of the American
people through the republican party
which has always aimed at the pro.
lection of America and Americans
We believe that republican editor,