The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-06-06
REJECT COMPROMISE.
PRESERVE INTACT THE PRINCIPLES
OF REPUBLICANISM.
Having Declared Itself "Uncompro-
misingly In Favor of the American
System of Protection" the Party Can

'aot Afford to Swerye from That Policy.
The pending bill on Cuban reciproc-
ity is, like most compromises, salts
factory to no one, but how far reach
ing in it's effect, should it become a
law, it is not safe to conjecture. We
have never had a compromise tarln
law that has not been most injurious
to our industries. We never COM
promise upward, it is always down
ward.
In 1916 we repealed the tariff of
1889 and its amendments of 1872, and
in a spirit of compromise and concili-
alton passed a law that was thought
to be protective, but, alas! how dis
astrous it proved to be. We let down
the bars just far enough for England
to dump her surplus at prices which
ruined our own manufacturers. 1t
was in 1916 that Brougham said in
the House of Commons:
ut is we'll worth while to incur
loss upon the first importation, in or
der, by the glut, to stifie in the cradle
those infant manufacturers in the
United States which the war has
| forced into existence"
And England poured in her fabrics
| far below cost, and we dearly paid for
the repeal.
Again, in 1888, for compromise and
| Cancellation, we substituted for a
splendid protective law, low duties
that were to be even lower and lower
as the years went on. We compro-
missed our industrial liberty and prog
ress to save the Union. We saved 1t
for spell, but, oh, how dearly 1t cost
us! Ruin came quick and fast, and
| the Union we had saved was bank
rupt.
/ The tariffs of 1916 and 1857 were
free trade ION. purpore," just as the
tariffs of 1S41 and 1861 were protec-
tive ION purpose"
But, in 1888, we resorted to compro-
mise again. Both houses of Congress
and the President were Republican,
but there was a clamor for revision.
So we had the commission and we
lowered the duties, especially on wool.
Again we compromised with the free
traders of the South and their north
ern allies, and again we lost millions
by the transaction.
And now again we are in the same
position as in 1916, 1888 and 1888. We
have a splendid tariff law in success
full operation. We have prosperity
and we have a president and both
houses of Congress professedly pro
tectionist. And yet we have bill
pending to lower duties, and which
strikes at our agricultural progress
and prosperity, as well as a growing
industry giving employment to thou
sands, and bound to become one Of
our great industries if left alone.
What does it mean? Why this desire
to compromise again? A man oil
woman who compromises his or hel
reputation is treated with contempt
and opprobrium. 1t should be and will
be the same with political party
The Republican party once declared
in its national platform:
I'VE are uncompromisingly in favor
of the American system of protec
ton"
And yet to-day we are debating 6
compromise. History forbids it. Elk
perience forbids it. Intelligence for
bids it. Common sense forbids it. Hon
or forbids it. But it is such a little
compromise and so harmless" say
Payne and Grosvenor and Dalzell ant
Babcock and Russell and Lane. 81
says the frail creature at the begin
ming of her downward career. Blu
there is always next step, and soor
the descent becomes easy and rapid
ill shame and dishonor and ruiz
come.
No man can afford to compromise
his reputation. No woman can afforC
to compromise her fair name. No par
ty can afford to compromise its honor
Every Republican in Congress SHOULD
be ''uncompromisingl in favor of thu
American system of protection"
any swerve from that principle, he il
dishonorable towards his constituent
and toward his country. He wal
elected. to protect all the industries
and all the labor of his country.
he has changed his faith he SHOULD
resign his seat and let another TAX,
his place. There should be no volun
tary surrender; there should be nj
willing compromise. We are making
history these days, as we were il
1916 and'1S33 and 1883. Shall the pres
ent be a repetition of the past?