Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-07-24
Infants Now Giants,

INFANTS NOW Giants.
II is needless to discuss the ancient
theory Of Protection or sutagonize in
controversy those who once found III
Infant Industries" a proper subject
Of national aid, Academic debate be-
tween Free Trade and Prote, tion was
long ago antiQuated; the former being
no more sought for in fact. than the
latter is practiCed according to its
theory; and none but weakling
minds can be scared longer by old
time cries. These modern forces
which control, as we'll as profit by.
congressional legislation, are no feeble
enterprises, supplicating infautile
nourishment of their beginnings IN
life, The ConfederaCies of Protection
are now colossal giants. which have
graSped the powers Of our government
with iron hands, II is not its ideas,
it is the monstrouS abuses of this
protection which have aroused the
indignation and alarmed the fears of
intelligent men of all parties; and II
is the redress of these abuses which
ought to unite the action OF freemen
in determined effort to deliver govern
ment and people from the thralldom
of these pitilesS masters of both. 1t
has become a question of Republican
self.preservation; whether Govern.
ment shall be for the people and by
the people, or for the uses of these
greedy plotters, with the people in
servitude to them.
The Democratic Party, in all its
great career, never had grander OPP
portunity of public usefulness. 1t IS
doubly inviting, because not only will
the highest sentiments of public right
and justice inspire the battle, but the
conflict will be magnificent in pro.
portions and the victory splendid in
its fruits
am alive in feeling, Mr.. Chairman,
to the many other deeds of misgoveTn-
ment and folly to which you allude,
that have shocked the public con-
science and put to shame our tradi-
tional glory as a people loving liberty
and Justice. True 1t is, besides, that
people can be expected for the waste
of treasure and life which has been
reCklessly and foolishly made. True,
too, and of far greater moment, that
a free people jeopardi2e their own
liberties when they attempt to force
unhallowed subjugation on other men,
in pursuit of that fatuous folly of
Republics, colonial dominion. In pitiful
contrast, also. with out spirited past,
has been our silent witness of the
agOnies of brave and devoted
race in their desperate struggle for
liberty and independence. Width er
has vanished that noble sympathy
which ever swept our hearts for those
who, in other lands, strOve for the
rights of man, achieved for us by
heroic ancestors; which burst IN
national outpouring to Kossuth, and
welcomed the noble Germans who, fifty
years ago, found here the liberty they
fought for against old world Oppres.
sion? Why could not our voices rise
again in the cause OF freedom! Alas !,
America had joined the opressor's
side, to feed the hunger for spoil of
our special classes; "entangling al
liances" had entangled our con
science; and the nausea of con
sCious shame stined the cry tina.
should have reached the skies. How
could we shout for humanity and
freedom in Africa, while we drowned
with the "water-cure" the cries for
liberty of ten million fellow-men we
had bought with price in the
islands of the Eastern Seas?
1t is painful record we have
written on the pages of three years
PAST, for Americans who look 10
Washington, Jefferson, Madison, the
Adamses and their compeers of the
Declaration and the Constitution, tor
the rules of national conduct that
should enlighten the world with the
love and truth of Liberty. And that
stain must yet be wiped off by future
treatment of the unhappy Filipinos &C
cordng TO the principles we have in
herited, or, so surely as justice rules
the world America will bitterly atone
for it in resultant suffering of her
C&n.
But not at once can all national
wrongs be redressed and those borne
by our countrymen must challenge
first relief. | fear distraction. Pro
lection is quick to profit by it. Its
shrewd counsels have fomented war,
have set the nation in quest OF mill.
tary glory, and find its account III
the controversy over Imperialism.
We may justly hold Protection itself
responsible for these conditions; It
will crafty keep agitation of Juch
questions alive; and we may be sure,
also, as the careful observer canao,
but see the fact now to be, that 1t
will prevent array of parties on an
issue arising from them that may i'm
peril its own party strength.
The swiftly increasing extravaganza
in public expenditures cannot but also
excite our apprehension. 1t is con
comitant of Protection always, which
thus make allies at public cost, adding
to a seeming need of taxation; for