The Saint Paul globe., 1901-06-19
THE PRoTECrIoN1sr FEUD.

The struggle goes on within the ranks
of the impenalist party between the rad
ical adtercnts of protectionism and those
who think it wise to recognize the in
sistent demand for tariff revision by at
least revision Of the schedules of the
Dingley tariff law. AS the meeting of
congress approaches the struggle in
creases in intensity. Before December
errives the issue will be decided one way
or another.
The astute politician who at present
occupies the White house is evidently
playing a waiting game. He is quoted
successfully as favorng each side of the
controversy, and he can be relied on
when the proper time comes to have
eauged with reasonable certainty which
way the cat of public opinion will jump
The Democratic party can easily afford
to quietly watch the progress Of the tariff
war now prevailing among the imperial
lists. No mere makeshift of reciprocity
will meet the situation which has been
called into existence. The conspiracy be-
tween Imperialism and trustism IS max
ing all too deep an impression on the
American People to be disregarded
through such economic pettifogging. The
only alternative of protectionism is sub
stantial free trade. The one is the COM
plement Of a restricted trade; the other,
Of commercial expansion. The choice
between the two must be made by the
United States before long.
The country has been made to realize
fully that the power of the administration
clique is absolute among the imperialists.
What the Hanna Mckinley group wishes,
in the last event, is sure to become the
law of the Imperialist party It is yet
to be determined whether that element of
the party will go with the revislonists
or the protectionists. The determination
is certain to. be reached purely on
basis of political expediency. But when
it is reached it will be enforced to the
letter by the bosses of the party.
The Babcock bill is a by-play Demo-
Gratis in the next congress will have the
game in their own hands. VIII. they
play it successfully? The Globe does
not express an opinion. If they are in
huenced to any substantial degree by the
spirit of factionism which finds express
sion in the prevailing personal contro-
versies among individual Democrats
there viii be nothing done. Doubtless,
however, the altogether senseless discus
sions Of the moment will by that time
have been ended, and Mr. Bryan VIII
have found some other outlet for his
hatred of Imperialism than the imputa-
tions On The good faith of those who dis
agree with him as to party details with
which he foods the columns of his week.
ly paper
The opportunity which the prevailing
schism among the protectionists brings
to the opposition is a splendid one The
past advocacy of free trade, always Ill
timed, rarely advisable and never sue
cessful, can now be made to bear the de-
sired fruit. The party must stand
squarely on its record in favor of the re-
moval of all unnecessary restraints upon
domestic and foreign trade alike It
must speak without faltering or uncer-
tainty for the most complete expansion
Of American foreign commerce that can
be produced. 1t is the party of free
dom, and freedom must be it's motto
the freedom of the individual to do as
appears to him best with the least In
terference by the government.
Taking such a position and maintain
ing it, the opposition to the worried
trust conspiracy can win the fight
against the monstrous corruption and
favoritism of the existing tariff