The silver star., 1897-06-24

measures they originate having for
their end and design prosperity to
all our people should neither be
blocked nor hindered by any fac
tions or captious opposition. Our
duty will be performed when we
point out the inadequacy and inu-
tility of such Methods It seems to
me that the duty of the Democratic
party, silver Republicans, and the
Peoples party representative in con-
is to point out the inconsistencies of
this measure and Its absolute use
lessness as remedy for existing
diseases. ...n..
They offer it as a panacea. There
fore, if a high tariff, lis benefcient
in its operations, still higher and
higher tariff must be more and more
beneicient. Therefore, we would
not thwart them in any attempt to
build up a tariff SO high that its eff
fects; will mean universal prosperity.
If it fails to bring prosperity they
cannot then point to us and say:
1--WE conceived measure fraught
with prosperity and happiness to all
the people, but the wicked opposi-
ton of Democrats, free silver Repub-
licans and Populists prevented the
employment of that prosperity
which SUCH a tariff must have af-
forded. Once for all should like
to see them frame tariff without
let or hindrance, and let it stand
befote' the people, until even the
dullest intellect could comprehend
a simple problem in dynamics.
namely, the impossibility of lifting
ones self over the fence by the
bootstaps. We may give as many
positive demonstrations of the falla-
cy of high protective tariff as we
choose. Argument and demonstra-
tion will not count with the un-
thinking class. AS boy at school,
the comprehension Of positive
demonstration of q problem in Eu-
cid was olways a matter more or
less difficult. but the demonstration
by reductio ad absurdum will be
easily comprehended even by the
dullest intellect; and through the
reductio ad absurdam it may be
possible once for all to take the tar
if question entirely outside the do
main Of partisan politics and permit
Of its treatment in the future from
q purely business standpoint. Many
of our Republican friends sincerely
believe that an inadequate tariff is
the principal cause Of many evils
that afiiict our people. They 20
easily forget that these conditions
had existed whether under the op-
erations of a high o. low " rate of duty
and the outcome Of this legislation
will in my opinion prove 90 disap-
pointing. 70 batrei4 In results. Is to
rivet closely the attention Of the
American people to the true cause
of the disease. and we shall then be
ready to cease the treatment Of
symptoms and strike at the very root
Of the disease itself.
The first effect Of the passage Of
the new tariff bill unquestionably
will be to kindle many furnace
and start many a forge and loom.
The first tendency Of manufactured
products will be to rise, ann labor
will be actively employed for sixty
or ninety days. The warehouses
will be stored full Of manufactured
products, and then they will await
a market. absolutely ignoring the
fact that the men producing wheat
In the Mississippi Valley at IS cents
per bushel, cotton In the South at 5
cents per pound, pork In the West
at 3 or 1 cents per pound, cannot
purchase but . tithe Of the products
which the factories produces. Any
old farmer will tell ~ that the cost
Of . bushel Of wheat u q days work.
Fifty per cent Of our people are en-
gagged In agriculture OF il kindred
pursuits, and Il stands to reason.