New-York tribune., 1899-07-29
ETUAYOR GRACE on THE TARIFF

" n
It is good time to think little. Ex-Mayor
Grace stated to ex-Secretary Tracy that he
was now convinced that the prosperity and
stupendous growth Of the country were due IN
no small degree to the policy of Protection. ac-
cordlng TO the correspondent Of "The Phila-
delphia Press" who thereupon asked the ex-
Mayor about it. and quotes his reply thus:
Yes. I did tell General Tracy that, and have
recently felt free to lay II 10 others was
never ashamed Of my convictions when they
were in perfect sympathy with the tariff views
expressed by Mr.. Cleveland in his famous mes
sage and with those held by the great body
Of the Democratic party, ano am not ashamed
now to say that in the light Of recent events
have completely changed those views, and now
see as believe clearly that the amazing growth
in all that makes for permanently prosperous
conditions and in all Influences that have so
recently established the United States as first
Power among the nations of the world. not only
politically. but financially and commercially, Is
due in great measure to the policy of Protec-
ton ] never dreamed that the time would
come when ! should be willing 10 make an ad-
mission OF this kind But facts are stronger
than theories and the fact remains that in the
last six years we have had abundant proof that
there is some fallacy so far as the United States
is concerned in the doctrine which the Demo-
cratic party held and which Mr. Cleveland pro-
claimed in his message, and, on the other hand
there was truth in the claims made by Mckin-
ley. by Dingley, by Morrill,, and by the other
PrOtectlOniStS
/ now ready to say that see the truth.
The only thing surprising here is that other
Democrats have not gained the laures of Mr.
Grace for candid speech Everybody hears such
admissions from his Democratic friends. But
when one has the manliness TO say such a
thing. knowing that 1t will be printed, he gains
n reputation fo- courage which others may
envy. They feel that he is right, and they
know that he has only expressed their own
convictions. But he has less fear Of partisan
criticism than they have yet shown. Yet 1t
would he infinitely better for the country if
the many thousands who have the opinion
ascribed to Mayor Grace would express 1t as
frankly.
Tariff agitation, any fear Of radical tariff re-
duction, always affects business dsastrousy.
So much men admit who persistently demand
tariff reduction without regard TO policy. 1t
will do mischief for a time. they say, but will
pay in the end. The silver Democrats are al
ways counted as supporting the traditional
Democratic policy and If that party succeeds
a radical reduction of tariff is expected. The
fear of that always disturbs business and the
next Democratic success may he expected to
produce another such prosraton as occurred
in 1893. So long as Democrats OF Mayor
Grace's opinion stay silent Democratic vic
tory promises panic But II all who felt ms he
does were 10 speak their minds n Democratic
victory on Free Trade lines would he impos-
slble
Republicans are not greatly enamoured Of
men like Mr. Grace, who admit the surprising
excellence Of Republican principles in practical
work and still prefer to he Democrats. But
they can appreciate the manly courage Of his