Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-11

lSuQulS Ile principle VI pIOtSGlloh W
admit that the schedules which carry
it into execution are the results OF a
and cohtemptible barter and
among the special represen-
tatiyes of industrial interests.
Care Not Fear Needed.
why should we not approach the
of change in the tariff
schedules in precisely the same spirit
that controls us as we approach all
other notifications in existing stat
ute? Why should we not Danish forev-
er this apparition of imaginary danger
perpetually invoked to paralyze the
mind of inquiry when it turns toward
tariff duties? Our motto should be,
care in everything, fear in nothing
Not Wrong to Do Fair Thing.
at is. a SANDER upon the fundament-
al truth of the world to say that the
prosperity of the people ever has been
or ever can be impaired by doing what
is right and just and fair. What evl-
dence is there to sustain the assertion
that a correction of the grossly exces.
sive duties would hasten the days OF
extreme commercial activity to
close? None whatever, save the cries
of those who want to belet alone, but
who ought not to be let alone, repeated
by a coterie of statesmen who nave
become imbued with the calm philoso-
ply of the citizen of Arkansas, VINO re-
fused to mend his room in dry weatne,
| because it was unnecessary. ana alu
not mend it when 1t ralned, because
| 1t was impossible. There is nothlng IN
history to lend aid or comfort TO thelr
position, for you will look IN vain 1or
an instance in which proposed changes
in tariff schedules by the frlenas OF
| protection have created the slightest
sentiment of alarm or tlnge OF ul'
certainty in the commercial World
Mr.. Cummins' Position.
eve who believe that the time has
come in which to make certain
changes, and are in favor of no modi'
fcation that will admit, except through
fair reciprocity which will increase
rather than diminish the work to be
/ done in this country single dollar
of imported commodities. We do not
favor the reduction of any schedule
below the point at which the Amerl
can manufacturer can, If he WILL mo
nopo]ize the whole American marker
at a fair price. We stand for tarlfl
duties SO adjusted that the potentia!
connection from other countries VIII
nrevent PRODUCERS at home from ex
acting more than just and reasona
bic price for what they produce.
What 1t Means.
Reciprocity, to be of any advan
tage. or to be operative in any sub
stantial degree, is intended to encour
T age importations in the subjects 1t EN-
braces. and to give to the Importer a
least an equal chance in our markets
Obviously | am not now speaking O
reciprocity in the Importation of thos'
commodities which we do not and can
not produce. These commodities ar
. . already largely upon the free list, ant
there is but little opportunity to pro
mote reciprocal treaties in thos
things which by nature We must I'm
port. Protection, as both Hamilton
and Blaine have said, in the maturit.
J of Its design was and is intended U
enable the producer to hold the maj
|, kets of his own country by eXcludln
: competition from abroad. Reciproclt
in the maturity of it's design is Intend
ed to enable the domestic produce
: to take and hold foreign markets.
: has so happened, under the generou
!, stimulant of protection, that the CO
! pacity of the United States to produc
: is greater than it's own markets II
q quire.
J, Calls 1t an Illusion.
o eve have an advantage in many r
O spects,, which, if allowed free scoop
J. would make the American manufa
turer and producer as dominant els
where as he is here, but to fully ava
themselves of that advantage We mu
e assume what we dare not expect, tn;
IT he will be permitted, uninterrupted
e. and completely, to pursue our plan
t. protective duties, and that all the T
Is mainder of the world will adopt IL
Of policy of free trade. A sensible n
~ ton will not build upon such an IL
lie sion, and therefore we are castir
W about us to see upon what terms
lie can get our products into the hands
e. buyers and consumers in other cou
O. tries; and thus reciprocity, so-calle
e. finds it's mission.
". Must Be Just.
!. 81 appeal to the sentiment, that o
~ tariff laws, whether it Is proposed
~ change them by direct legislation
- through the medium of commerce.
-, treaties, must be examined, discusse
- amended, in exactly the same spi
n which imbues our legislators in exa
y;ee ming, discussing or amending any o.
no err law. The people will never, und
- any circumstances, forgive the m
who exerts his influence to so anne
. these laws as to deprive the workil
ge men Of the republic and those W
ID come after them, of a single da
up work On the other hand, they will
I'd just as swift to punish and exile the
ny who, through fear or favor, fail to
by amend and change our tariff la
ny as to give these men and their poste
to ty more work, a vaster field for tn
ey energies, and better opportunity
M the struggle Of life. The protect
he policy of the United States is impr
,te nable against the assaults of its e
for mics; and if the citadel ever falls
.en will be because its friends sleep WI
de- the world is awake-it will be beca1
n n d