The Columbus journal., 1902-12-17
SOME PLAIN TRUTHS

,OVmO l. AAAN A~O AAAO
n REPUBLICANS ARE TO WIN, fseN
MUST GET TOGETHER.
STEP TalklAg AD00t Tf0st0 oA4 Ma
Prices and Let Denoe1a4s oaA vfoo
TraAers NJ An That d Desc Ia ~
Way - AttaeAing tie Ta&aG.
II II indeed The Plain Truth About
the Tariff that IL told in IN 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 in1u-
entail Republicans In and out Of con-
gress- statesmen, editors and business
men claiming to be Republicans -
should comprehend to its fun signi0-
canoe the fact that their course In re-
gard to tariff revision and reciprocity
leads straight to the downfall Of the
protective policy and al that - there
in involved. In terse terms the Bulle-
tin makes this perfectly clear. It
urges that the clamor for . downward
revision Of the Dinsley tariff and for
special reductions Of duty rates BY
means Of trade treaties ought to have
been left to the Democfats. Certainly
It should not have come from Repub-
lican8
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. g.
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 protectio0ist 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
protesting to stand for straight Repub-
lcanism.
Right and true II the plain speech Of
] the Bulletin on this point namely, that
''the result Of this partial surrender Of
the protective principle" II 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 the country, notably In Massachu-
setts. What wonder. then, that many
Republican voters have been led into
the quicksand Of doubt and unbelief on
the question Of protectionr
II the principle Of protection IL to be
maintained in this country, II the Ding
ley tariff Is to be saved from mutila-
ton by its professed friends and II the
business OF the nation IL to be spared
the dreadful shock OF panic and calam-
ity, there must be an awakening to the
dangers Of the situation and q 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 q monopoly OF that kind Of talk.
They can be relied upon to talk tariff
| revision into disrepute and reputation.
It Is Republican talk that keeps It
alive. Drop 1t!
The voters Of this country, as the
Bulletin wisely says, must be led to
understand that the adoption Of gen.
eral policy Of reciprocity implies q re-
ductiOn of tariff duties, q 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
read and taken home to himself by
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 a free trade victory in Novem-
ber. Nor should this activity In de-
tense Of protection end with the No
| vember elections. A campaign Of eilu-
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
serious business reaction can be avert
ed II a prompt and intelligent appeal
is at once made to the common sense
Of the American people,"
The real weakness In the Repub.
ncan line. the real peril Of the situation
as 1t exists today, is distinctly dis
closed In the above statement. A cam
raign Of education has not been car
ried on. Protection literature Of tho
most uncompromising character has
not been placed in the hands Of every
voter. The American Protective Tariff
league has to the extent Of its ne
sources carried On q campaign Of edu-
cation, and a. far n its funds per-
mitted has placed In the hands Of
voters protection literature Of the most
uncompromising character. Witness
its extensive distribution Of No. 75,
Senator Galhnger's great speech.
''Prosperity Is the ISSUE" and kindred
documents. What It could do has been
done. The league II In perpetual ses-
sion. Its work 10 continuous and un-
ending. But there II more to do, much
more. A presidential election 10 but
two years away. II the Republican
party Il to recover In 1904 the ground
lost by backsliding and chasing OF
into the crooked paths Of revision and
| M q - ~-