New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-12
BRYAY's HOSTILITY TO THE TARIFF


After carefully watching his proceedings for
three months, unprejudiced minds find it diff
cult to avoid the conclusion that back of every
things nti-imperialism and the antitrust hum
bug, which he presses so persistently upon the
attention of unlettered miners and wage earn
ers generally-Bryan's paramount object is to
revolutioni8e7 the cOuntry's fiscal system as
speedily as possible That system is based upon
the gold standard of values. with the Republi-
can tariff plan of taxation engrafted upon the
American protective principle for its chief
pillar. '7
We have heretofore noticed Bryans mislead-
ing quotations of Lincoln in support of some of
the essentially false and dangerous economic
and administrative theories he is recklessly adj
vocating from the stump In his second raid for
the Presidency. Upon investigation The Trib-
une has found that in every case of such use
of Lincoln's utterances the great Republican
statesman's plain meaning or object was either
wilfully perverted or cleverly distorted by par
tial or garbled quotations, a common make
shift of weak demagogues in forensic contro-
verses. The exposure of the trick has had the
effect to curtail largely Bryan's resort to Lin
coins views on public questions as the cam
paign draws to a close. None of them, honestly
quoted, can be twisted into an Endorsement Of
any Of Bryan's isms. study of his official
papers and private correspondence as we'll as
his political speeches soon convlnces any in
veStgator that Lincoln wasted none of his
time or thought upon such revolutionary doc
trines and vagaries as characterize Bryan's
teachings of to-day.
But in regard to the tariff policy. which many
intelligent members of both the great parties
now firmly believe it is Bryan's secret purpose
to strike down in his progress toward free
coinage, here is one of Mr.. Lncoln's ungarbled
utterances, so prophetic of coming events as to
make it worthy OF special attention It was
made in a letter to DR.. Edward Wallace of
Illinois, just fOrty-one years ago:
was an old Henry Clay Tariff Wing In old
times l made more speeches on that subject
than any other I have not since changed nv
views. l believe yet, If we could have a mod
crate carefully adjusted protective tariff. far
acqulesced IN as not to be a perpetual subject
OF political strife, squabbles, changes and un-
certainties, it would be better for us. Still 1t is
my opinion that just now the revival Of that
question will not advance the cause itself or
the man who revives it. I have not thought
much the subject recently but nv general
impression is that the necessity for a protective
tariff will ere long force its old opponents ia
take 1t up and then its old friends can Ioin in
and establish 1t on more firm and dura ble
basis. We, the old Wings have been entirely,
beaten out on the tariff question, and we shall,
hot De aoie TO re-establish the policy until the
absence OF 1t shall have demonstrated the neces-
sity for It in the minds Of men heretofore on
posed TO 1t.
LincOln's ideas of tariff requirements have
since been adopted and are "acquiesced in" by
even majority of Its old opponents" The
protective tariff is now an almost universally
accepted principle of our government Recent
events have demonstrated the wisdom of Lin
coins forecast concerning its advantages under
such circumstances.
Yet Bryan would set this protective tariff
policy aside and substitute the 'souabhles
changes and uncertainties" that cursed the
country half a century ago. To what purnosa9
To satisfy n mere handful of remaining Free
Trade cranks? Such an explanation is in.
adequate Bryan, In fact. meditates that blow,
because he sees that the tariff system of taxa-
ton, fixed and equitable, is the great bulvvarl,
OF the country's established money svstano.
that as preliminary step toward the free coin
age or silver the tariff must go. 1t Is svster,
sui hateful to all wildcat money theorists all
Bryan men-who DANGEROUSLY advocate nuII,ro
II up root and branch. So did Mr.. BRYAN him,
self once But disastrous experience has mad
MIN wiser in his own interest and far mora
dangerous because his pernicious purnosas ho,,o
not been discarded. But they are now sedpIo,,s
iy concealed by claptrap about imperIaIisn, b..
harangues about trusts. which no party favor,
or defends. 1t Is undeniable that his car,,oaa
mas degenerated into one of deceit and bvnoo-