The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-03-12
the FREE TRADE LEAGUE
II Don't Like Some Remarks OF Mr.. van
vorhis Originally Published In
The Independents

V0rhis Originally Published In
The Independents
Some time since Mr. Van Vorhis
had an article in this paper in which
he made some remarks about, the free
trade league. The Independently fully
indorseS what Mr.. Van Vorhis said.
The two leagues, the one advocating
free trade and the other protection, are
both agents of the financial interests
and never fight one another in way
to hurt. When the German high tar
if bill was submitted for the Wilson
bill as 1t passed the house, the free
trade league was not on the ground to
fight that piece OF perfidy. 1t is al
ways asleep whenever anything can
be done to loosen the grasp Of the tar
iff grafters. The editor of The Inde-
pendent has watched it's maneuvers
for q good many years and has no
more faith in it than 1t has in Dave
Hill or German. Mr.. Van Vorhis' ar
ticle was copied into other papers and
the secretary Of the league was great
ly aroused over it. The following cor
respondence ensued
Flavius j. Van Vorhis, ESQ.,, Ind
annapolis, Ind.-Dear Sir: | am as
tonished at certain assertions made in
your article, Principles, not Policy"
published in the American Standard,
to-Wit: They (gold democrats, or
partisans Of the money power) ...
send the secretary of the Boston free
trade league to indianapolis to have
another banquet at the Grand hotel,
ETC."
"The efforts of the American pro-
tective tariff association and the free
trade league of Boston will not sue
ceed in obscuring it with the tariff
question. There is not the slightest
difference between the purposes Of the
two organizations, etc"
And in your article in the New
Haven Union of January "a, you say:
THE fight between the protective tar
iff league of New York and the free
trade league of Boston, both con-
trolled by the financial interests, is
sham battle in effect, If not an actual
humbug in intention" These asSer-
tions bear not one word of truth as
far as the American free trade league
is concerned, and only show how far
bitter prejudice and fanatical sub
servience to a single idea can sway
one who doubt not means to be fair.
This league stands on its own feet,
and advocates the cause of free trade
in it's broadest sense, as expressed in
its motto, Equal rights to all, special
privileges to none," as a patriotic
duty. On other subjects its members
differ widely, comprising as they do
democrats, republicans and indepen-
dents, gold standard men, single tax
ers and others. 1t is not controlled or
influenced by the financial interests"
or by any other persons or organiza-
tiOns.
Considering the character of the
leagues membership and how it is
Stunned and decried by all the trust
magnates, protectionists and money
getters generally, your slur as to its
being controlled by financial inter-
ests" is not only unfounded, but abb
surd and ridiculous.
My visit to Indianapolis was sug-
gested by Mr.. Lamb, president of the
league, and myself, and no one else.
Its sole object was to try to increase
the membership and influence of the
league. The banquet in Indianapolis
you refer to was gotten up and man
aged by gentlemen there, and was
simply guest.
Your structures on the action of
Secretary Shaw and the finandial pol
icy OF the republican party are, 1t
seems to me, justified and well put.
But you hurt yourself and your cause
when you wantonly assail the motives
and misrepresent the actions of 9TH
ers whose principles and records prove
them to be patriotic and sincere
American citizens. Very truly yours,
(Signed) HAZARD STEVENS,
Secretary.
Boston, Mass.