Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1904-10-13
THE REAL ISSUE
N. n. Baugh Defines the Real Issue
as Protection VS.. Free Trade.

The seeming apathy and want
OF interest In the present political
contest is strange and betokens a
want OF interest la the most import
ant, far reaching, economic, question
that has ever appeared In our political
contests since the organization Of the
4 government under the constitution;
one which has engaged the attention
of our ablest statesmen and profound
thinkers, including Washington, Thos.
Jefferson, John Adams, Andrew Jack
son, Daniel Webster, Rufus Choate, At
raham Lincoln, Henry Clay, Thos. 81.
Benton and VIM. Mckinley, whose In
dividual and united opinion Is entitled
to great respect. refer to the ques-
ton of protection as advocated by the
republican party. The array of states
men above named gave the doctrine
their unqualified approval Senator
Dolliver, In speech delivered in Con-
gress In 1892, said there had been moth
Ing new added to the array of argu-
ment or evidence on the subject In the
last sixty years, which is probably
i true, but the fact remains that 1t al
fects the very vitals OF the economical
problems OF the nation. There has
been nothing new authnritatively add
ed TO the doctrines or requirements OF
Christianity since Christs sermon on
the mount certainly none since the
crucitixion and resurrection, yet, it is
persistently preached and the adoption
of Its doctrines and requirements urg-
ed every week, II not daily.
II protection is correct free trade or
tariff for revenue only, is radically
wrong and vice versa. They are as
dissimilar as night and day, or as bit
ter and sweet. The republican party
has, from its organization, kept pro-
lection prominent am ,ng its issues and
devoted more time to its defense and
application than TO all other economic
questions and believes that it is the
foundation, the corner stone of our
present prosperity. Our democratic
friends dare not meet the issue square
ly. In their platform they declare
protection to be Robbery OF the
many to enrich the few'-adding not
their stereotyped declaration, q "tariff
for revenue only" 1--WE favor tariff
limited to the needs OF the government
economically administered. The dem
ocratic idea means, II 1t means any
thing, the elimination of every vestage
of protection, because, II they are hon.
est In their declaration that protection
Is robbery, they surely win de troy IL
root and branch. While they thus de-
clare la their platform, the democratic
press and their orators generally con-
fine themselves TO the question of re-
vision of the tariff, but studiously avoid
specifying wherein changes are to be
made. Thus one of the vital issues of
the day is insldiously attacked Their
position 10 duplex and variable. In
one locality they advocate tariff for
revenue only In another reformation of
tariff schedules.
We do not propose to go into gen.
eral discussion of the tariff, but will
call attention to few established facts,
the evidence and proof of which we
can produce If necessary.
First, under the Confederation, 1888
1889 we had the nearest approach to alb
solute free trade we have ever expert
enced. AS to the results we quote the
declaration of David III. Mason: $50
disastrous was the oatcome-so over
whelming are the proofs OF the failure
In practice of the freetraders--thatt the
lfrightiul decentralization which took
place, involving all classes OF the peo-
ples and even threatening the safety of
political liberty, should be made con-
spicuOus. as solemn warning to the
present and future" See further and
more deliberately on this subject, Hill
dreth's History OF the United States, PIP
465, 466, ct seq.
Second, the comforting upon congress
power TO regulate commerce and pro-
vide revenue was among the prime
causes foi abandoning the Confedera-
tion and adopting the constitution, Vol.
II, LAG. The frst act passed by Con-
gress under the constitution was what
10 known as the tariff OF 1889. 1t was
o protective tariff-was received with
universal rejoicing and gave almost
Immediate relief from the financial dis
tress that was experienced under the
Confederation, to which we have refer
led.
Third, Between the adoption of the
CONSTITUTION and The close OF benjamin
Harrison's administration we had four
free trade tariffs and four protective
tariffs. All of our financial troubles
with their attendant distress and
blighting influence we're under free
trade tariffs except. for short period
under the tariff of 1861. refer to the
panic OF 1873, which, manifestly de-
monstrably Twas not attributable to the
II .axW =