Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-14

years, however has shown us that am
bilious spirits are able to establish
and maintain monopolies in some of
the Important products of industry,
and with respect to these things it is
self-evident that the tariff duties. in
some measure, are shelter, because
they deprive us of the opportunity to
invite competition from other lands.
Fortunately, while the combinations
produce many things, they have, as
yet, been able to secure monopolies in
few things, but avarice is persistent,
and what may be accomplished in the
future no man dare predict. There
fore the republicans in Iowa say that
when trade in any protected commod-
ity reaches the point of single pro-
| Queer, the tariff duty upon that COM
modify shall be suspended until the
| laws of business resume their rightful
sway. There is here no menace to
lawful industry, no threat against the
proper employment of capital Mo-
nopoly is crime that men need not
commit, and the suspension of the tar
| iff during the existence of the offense
| induces greed to violate the laws of
the land. Protection is the essential
principle of republicanism, but compe-
tition is the eternal law of industrial
life. We should, and will, enforce
both; but if temporarily wealth ignores
| the latter and erects itself into monop-
oily, then the consumer has better
right to competition than the producer
] has to protection. Competition we
must have; that OF the republic if
i possible, that of the world if neces-
Sary.
1t is we'll nigh inconceivable that
|contention shall long exist upon a
proposition SO full of justice and so
I emphaticaliy taught by the experience
of mankind. To enforce it cannot in
|jure the weaker competitors of COM
binations for it is not to be applied
until competitors cease TO exist. 1t is
mot answered by the statement that
the combination may be enlarged and
embrace the whole world of produc.
ton. So it may: but | reply, the pro-
cess is more difficult, the bonds of
union less secure. 1t is a menace not
so imminent; and if it be true that
sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof 1t is yet more true that suffi-
Gent unto the evil is the day thereof.
| leave it in your hands with one ques-
ton. If congress had the power to
grant monopolies do you think it would
be wise TO confer upon single corr
poration the exclusive right to manu-
fracture steel rails, barbed wire, tin
plate or glass and at the same time
Impose heavy duties anon their i'm
i portation.
Sums Up Iowa idea.
| have given you the so called
Iowa Idea" 1t is as true as heaven
and as old as the birth of the republi-
can party. 1t is nothing more than
an appncation of time-tried principles
to the needs of developing country.
We claim for 1t no monopoly. 1t is
not patentable for it mas been in COM
mon use from time immemoriat and
is now the JOINT property OF all the re-
puplcans OIL the united states.
Do not imagine that We are at war
among ourselves. Never was the par
lty SO united. never so enthusiastic,
never more confident OF an overwhelm-
Iing victory. We may disagree respect
= ing details, as freemen always nave
:. and always will: but above aud be-
: yond everything else we know that to
= commit the fate of this country to the
! 1ossilized polcles OF the democratic
party - 10 lilipeIii us present ana
: piast It's iutufe. IL that aisaster ever
comes, some other s,ate must ran III
us duty-lowa VIII not.
= Eu+,,e Rosv
=
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