The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1902-12-13
PROSPERITY AND PROTECTION.
Drought Back Good Times
After 1900.

| the maintenance OF prosperity"
1t will be remembered that this dec
laration will appear In the platform
adopted by the republican convention
of this state last summer. 1t is the
declaration of q self-evident truth,
but in the circumstances II was neces-
sary. II is necessary moreover for
the people of this country and for the
men to whom the people have entrust-
ed the duty of managing national af-
fairs to bear it constantly in mind.
The declaration was necessary, and
the keeping of it in mind is necessary,
because the faction of the democracy
that is endeavoring to reorganize the
party is making an attack upon the
principle upon which prosperity rests
the basis of the proposed reorganiza-
ton, says the Albany Journal.
Lacking in clearness, directness and
force as Grover Cleveland's published
expression of views as to the future of
the democratic party Is, it makes plain
beyond doubt the intent of the would
be reorganizers to rally the majority
Of the democrats of this country
around a banner bearing the inscrip-
tion Tariff for Revenue" The propo-
sition that import duties should be
reduced without the slightest regard
for the principle of protection will be
the democratic paramount issue from
now on until the votes for presidential
electors are cast in 1904, if the would
be reorganizers, whose chief is Grover
Cleveland, have their way.
1t was the Redistribution of the prin-
ciple of protection that brought back
prosperity after the election of 1896;
1t is that principle that has been main
| ly the cause of the marvellous growth
of prosperity since taat time; pros
perity rests securely upon that prin-
| ciple. An attack upon protection is
therefore lnanifestly an attack upon
| prosperity itself. 1t must be met firm
| ly, aggressively and with unfiagging
determination by all who desire that
prosperity shall be maintained.
1t may appear, after due considera'
ton, that certain changes in the tariff
| schedule are advisable. There never
was tariff law framed that was abso
lutely perfect in every detail, nor will
| there ever he one that will not be sub.
ject to legitimate changes from time
| to time. But no change must be made
or attempted, that is menace to the
principle of protection. Only the GER
tainty that proposed change will be
| of advantage to American commerce
and industry will be justification for
the adoption of such change. There
must be no general tariff-tinkering
for the sake of the tinkering.
Much has been said recently of the
material increase in imports, to which
the decrease in the balance of trade
in our favor is largely due. Since such
| increase has come even while a pro-
| tective tariff is in force, 1t is easy to
see how greatly imports would be fur
| Their increased II import duties were
generally reduced, and how soon we
should be, transformed again into a
| debtor nation.
Germany, whose commerce and indus
| try Is in a condition similar to that
which prevailed in the United States
during President Cleveland's second
term, attributes that condition to lax
ity in the matter of imposition of i'm
port duties, and is working out tar
If system not only for greater revenue,
but also for better protection.
The Importance Of the plan OF cam
| paign outlined by Mr.. Cleveland for
the proposed rejuvenated democracy
must not be underestimate. He is the
leader of the faction that is trying to
accomplish the regeneration. He is
competent and authorized to speak for
| for it, to declare its purposes. Its
principal purpose is to effect horizon
| tai reduction of the tariff, which would
mean the breaking down of the pro-
tective system and the consequent col
lapse Of prosperity.
All who may manifest undue zeal
and eagerness to make sweeping
| changes in the present tariff schedule
will be aiding the Cleveland faction
of the democracy in its attempt to gain
control of the democratic party and
of the nations affairs. The changing
of any part of the tariff law is task
that needs to be undertaken, if it is
undertaken at all, only with the great
est deliberation and the coolest judg-
ment. And as the Evening Journal has
said repeatedly, no change which IN
the slightest degree would affect the
principle of protection to its detri-
ment should be, considered at all.
! Whatever some individuals may say,
the fact has been established beyond
the possibility of doubt that the
majority Of the people of the United
States approves of protection. The
return to the house of representatives
of majority of members of the party
that has always adhered to protection
for American industries is the most
recent evidence of popular sentiment
| in regard to this matter.
CURRENT COMMENT.