St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-21
THEIR CAUSE IS ONE.

The conference at Washington be-
tween the Republican silver senators
who voted against consideration of the
tariff bill and number of representa-
tives of the highly protected interests
is interesting because it foreshadoWs
the completion of fusion that is being
brought about with great rapidity be-
tween the cause of free silver and that
Of protection. The G lob has shown
repeatedly that these are based upon
an identical theory of the function and
duty of government. If there is any
possible defense for the exercise by
the state of the taxing power for the
benefit and to the profit of any inter-
est or industry within it, then there
can be no logical denial of like assist
ance in proper proportions to every
other. The senators who stand for
free silver have q right to be indig-
nant at the party which legislates in
favor of the manufacturer and leaves
the miner to get along by himself with
only the poor margin Of profit that the
These men have at last taken definite
and positive grounds. 1t was under
stood long ago that they had entered
into definite understanding with the
protectionists that if there was to be
protection for one industry there must
be for all. They have now reached the
point where they will enforce this de-
mand at the point of the ballot. The
manufacturers would not hesitate for
one instant to grant the demand were
they not afraid that the sentiment in
favor of sound money is so strong that
1t might pull down the castles of free
coinage and protection in one mass Of
ruin They are now in position, how
ever, where they will be compelled to
make terms. The silver men not only
claim their rights, but 49, assert as
we'll that the transfer of our currency
to the silver standard, by increasing
prices measured in gold, would amount
to large addition to the duties now
in force on imports. They offer and
ask the rub reciprocal and have the
documents to show that it is to the
interest of both parties in the COM
bine to stand together in order to pluck
the public satisfactorily. 1t is
hardly doubtful that the line of
action which has now been adopted will
ultimately commit the Republican par
ty, by virtue of it's allegiance to pro-
lection, to the cause of cheap money.
Whether the forces pulling in that di-
rection are strong enough to reach it
during the present campaign is the
only matter in doubt.
1t is a gain to the cause of pub
lie morality, and of right legisla-
ton, when private interests, un-
der whatever flag they sail. which
depend upon the use of legislation for
their unjust advantage, are forced to
make public acknowledgment Of the
fact. 1t is Il great gain that the abso-
lutte identity of the principle under
meath free coinage and protection is
made clear. The protective theory has
maintained itself so long in this coun-
LIy SIMPLY because 1T mas sailed under
false colors. The very name "protec-
tion," which implies the guardianship
of industry and labor by the state, won
to it for years the support of the un-
thinking masses. That cover must
now be abandoned. We see the
protectionists held up by the sill
yer men. who are tired of bear
ing alone the reproach of selfish greed,
in order to put their claim on honest
ground. The silver miners demand that
the government increase artifcially the
price Of their product by legislation at
the expense of the people. The pro-
tectionists have succeeded in maintain
ing such an increase of the price of
their products by legislation. Share
with us your unlawful advantage, say
the former, or we will pluck the founda-
tions from underneath your system.
Enter coalition with us, and together
we can farm out the labor or the work.
ing men and women of this country for
our own benefit for an indefinite period
to come.
This is the unholy alliance between
enterprises of the same kidney that is