The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-03
THEY HAVE GROWN UP TO-

It Is significant to note how the policy of protection has grown up with and be- come a part of the Republican Party. To claim, as some of its members do, that 1t has always been the party of protec- ton is to fly in the face of facts and his tory. Even as late as 1860 the national platform upon which Lincoln was nom- mated and elected would now be consld- cred a pretty good Democratic "tariff really declared for a revenue tariff with incidental protection, just as Democrats do nowadays. If we are not mistaken, the Fremont platform of 1856 made no mention whatever of a protective tariff. In fact, it is only with the last ten or twelve years that the Republican Party has become the father of protection and the godfather of trusts.
 We don't really know whether the party Is strong because of its tariff. principles CT whether 1t is for high tariff because 1t is strong. but we incline to the latter view. Protection has made many rich men and those rich men and their money control and dominate the party. They form a sort of reciprocal and reciprocat- ing combination and work for and in the interest of each other. There may come a day of reckoning. however, sooner than the leaders expect. We are told in the Bible that "Jeshuron waxed fat and kicked" but we are not told that he gained any credit or special favor ty the proceeding. The Republican Party has waxed fat on the money of the protected '.robber barons," whom it brought into existence. but 1t may become over arro- gant and may kick once too often. It has no mortgage on the future and may find itself feeling upward for the ground when it least expects it.
 To all human effort there is a limit, and there is likewise limit to all human endurance. Tho people of this country have endured the exactions, the arro- gance, the virtual robbery inflicted by the tariff and its beneficiaries with a pa- tience wonderful to contemplate, for it tims. A day or two ago we read in The Omaha World-Herald letter from a farmer who had need of a large quantity of barbed wire. He wanted the editor to tell him why the manufacturers of wire fencing forced their American customers to pay from 25 to 50 per cent more for wire than was charged foreign custom CTS. The answer was easy ana plain. The manufacture of wire is controlled by trust. When they send their goods out of the United States they must put down their prices to meet foreign com petition. Our tariff laws keep out this competition, and this allows the trusts to charge our home people as much as they choose.
 This Is the simple and correct solution, and it applies to practically everything made of iron or steel Anything made of these metals, from a nail to a bar of railroad iron, and all machinery or other articles made in whole or in part of such metals, is carried across the ocean and sold to foreign dealers and consumers at prices below those charged American buy CTS. The tariff is the father of the trusts and the trusts are the enemies of the American people. These are facts about | which there Is no chance for two opin-
 ions among those who wish to hnow tine ! truth. The tariff is a Republican lrcduct | and 1t will oppress and rob the people | as long as that party is in power. That party will remain in power as Iong as | the people allow it and no longer. This | is good year to begin the good work of putting that party down.