Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-11-13
SOME PLAIN TRUTHS
IF REPUBLICANS ARE TO WIN, THEY
MUST GET TOGETHER.

Way of Attacking the Tartn.
1t is indeed "The Plain Truth About
the Tariff that is told in an editorial
under this heading that appears in
the latest issue Of the Iron and Steel
Bulletin. And it is full time the truth
were told, full time that certain influ- 4
entail Republicans in and out of con-
gress-statesmen, editors and business
men claiming to be Republicans
should comprehend to its full signifi
cance the fact that their course In re-
gard to tariff revision and reciprocity
leads straight to the downfall Of the
protective policy and all that is there
in involved. In terse terms the Bulle-
tin makes this perfectly clear. 1t
urges that the clamor for downward
revision of the Dingley tariff and for
special reductions Of duty rates by
means of trade treaties ought to have
been left to the Democrats. Certainly
it should not have come from Repub-
licans.
There are too many producers who
want the tariff taken from some other
fellows product in order that they
may reap an advantage through in
creased sales in foreign markets.
There are too many producers In
sisting upon an extension of the list
of free raw materials, but unwilling to
forego protection on their finished
products.
In short, there are too many half
hearted, inconsistent protectionists, far
too many for the good of the Repub-
lican party and the maintenance of the
protection policy.
They are to be found holding seats
in both branches of congress, to which
they were elected on protection plat
forms by protectionist constituencies.
They are to be found even higher UP
in national affairs.
They are to be found In control of
the editorial expression of newspapers
processing to stand for straight Repub-
licansm.
Right and true Is the plain speech of
the Bulletin on this point-namely, that
'the result of this partial surrender of
the protective principle" is seen today
in the development of 'the Iowa ideas
and in the open abandonment of sound
protectionist principles by Republican
nominees for congress In various parts
of tie country, notably in Massachu-
sets. What wonder, then, that many
Republican voters have been led into
the quicksand of doubt and unbelief OH
tile question Of protection"
If the principle Of protection is to be
maintained in this country, If the Ding
ley tariff Is to be saved from mutila-
tion by its professed friends and if the
business of the nation is to be spared
the dreadful shock of panic and calam-
ity, there must be an awakening to the
dangers Of the situation and return
to the safe, certain basis of sound eco
nomic doctrine.
All talk of tariff revision at this time
Or in the near future must be dropped
by Republicans. Let the Democrats
have monopoly of that kind of talk.
They can be relied upon to talk tariff
revision into disrepute and repudiation
1t is Republican talk that keeps It
alive. Drop it!
The voters of this country, as the
Bulletin wisely says, must be led to
understand that the adoption Of a gen.
cral policy of reciprocity implies a re-
duction of tariff duties relaxation of
the principle and policy of protection
Democrats and free traders fully COM
prehend this plain fact.
The concluding paragraph of the
Bulletins earnest appeal should be
@cI- 30 III ~
every Republican in the land:
"Forewarned is forearmed. All sim
cere protectionists everywhere should
rally to the support of the protective
policy and the Dingley tariff at the
approaching congressional elections.
Their best efforts are needed to pre-
vent free trade victory in Noyem
ber. Nor should this activity in de-
fense of protection end with the No
vember elections. A campaign of edu-
cation should be commenced immedi-
ately Protection literature of the
most uncompromising character should
be placed in the hands of every voter.
The Dingley tariff can be saved from
the touch of unfriendly hands and q
FERROUS business reaction can be avert
cd IL prompt and intelligent appeal
is at once made to the common sense
of the American people,"
The real weakness in the Repub.
Hcan line, the real peril Of the situation
as it exists today, is distinctly dis
closed In the above statement. A cam
raign of education has not been car
ried on. Protection literature of the
most uncompromising character has
not been placed in the hands of every
voter The American Protective Tariff
league has to the extent of it's re-
sources carried on campaign of edu-
cation, and as far as Its funds per-
mitted has placed in the hands of
voters protection literature of the most
uncompromising character. Witness
its extensive distribution of No. rs.
Senator Galliupar,s uroof cDoooh