The Indianapolis journal., 1902-09-24
NO STAMPEDE!


stand on the Tariff Question.
To the Editor OF the indianapolis Journal:
Is it possible that the Republican party,
with all the political advantage over the
opposition which ii possesses. is going to
be stampeded on the tariff question and be
overthrown by panic in its own ranks? The
course of Speaker Henderson in retiring be-
fore what he conceived to be an anti-pro-
lection sentiment has much the complexion
of a cowardly picket who. hearing a shot
from the enemy throws down his gun and
rushes into camp calling surrender"
throwing the whole army into a panic
which may become rout. Henderson pro-
tests devotion to the cause of protection.
but refuses to make a fight for it; why?
Forsooth, because Henderson may, or is,
almost certain to be defeated.
The Federal. Whig and Republican parties
have for a century won victories under the
standard of protection. 1t has been the first
article in their creeds. 1t has proved itself
by its fruit, and to no other cause is due
In so large a measure the present extent,
population, wealth and commercial su-
premacy of this country. We are called
upon to abandon ii now because of the very
happy conditions 1t has produced. Behind
the so-called tariff revision" banners are
massed the cohorts of free trade And at
the first busle call Mr.. Speaker Henderson
finds that 1t is not in his stomach to make
fight at the bloody angle" in which he
will probably fall.
Better like Hector on the field to die
Than like perfumed Paris turn and fly"
1t seems We are to make the struggle of
1892 over again. Perhaps we must again
go through the painful experiences Of
1S93-lS96, when the free trade campaign of
Mr.. Cleveland had frightened capital into
safety deposit vaults, commerce was para
lyzed and labor would not buy bread.
issue a Of
ules. The Dingley schedule has wrought Its
perfect work. 1t hndled fire upon the
cold hearth. 1t lifted up the pallid face
of labor and replaced the scowl of hunger
with the smile of hope. 1t cheered the
husbandman to sow and reap for gain. and
not for loss. The land bursts with fatness.
Great as its mission has been, however, no
man contends that the Dingley bill shall
stand unaltered and unalterable for all time
as the acme of human intelligence. Time
makes ancient good uncouth." But when
ber the sad results of free trade" and
tariff for revenue only" experiments?
Wilson German" is a name of sad sig
nificance to the people of this country. In
the pride of their prosperity can they have
forgotten it? Let the tariff schedule be
closely scanned, and If there be In ii any
item which produces uncomfortable gains
to manufacturers. which have enabled them
to capitalize excessive earnings into bill
lions of capital stock let such items be
stricken out reduced TO a fair basis,
always having In mind that IL any doubts
arise 1t were better to resolve them in favor
of the American than the European manu-
facturer. The American manufacturer Is
neither an alien nor a malefactor. He Is
Indiana would not profit by closing up glass
works or tin plate plants. If there is to be
! a "man-hunt for the manufacturer, IL
should fifty be led by Bryanites, and not
| Republicans.
CHARLES MARTINDALE.
Indianapolis. Sept. q.