The sun., 1904-07-15
Protection In This Campaign.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: 1t seems
to me that good protectionists are between
the devil and the deep sea in this years c.-oice
for President with the char-..o auuut even
as to which might prove the devil and which
the deep sea. Judge Parker Is said to be an
svowed free trader. Mr.. Roosevelt is charged
with having been o member Of the Golden
Club-with being even now, at heart. an ardent
tariff revislonist. while he has openly demon
strated his penchant for competitive reci-
procity. For my own part. l would Just as
soon have the devil Of Democratic tariff re-
vision (euphemistio for plain Free Tradei.
as the deep sea OF Roosevelt reciprocity.
The end Of both would be the same and would
have the same effect upon the country-un-
certainty among American producers. idle
ness Of labor. unsettlement Of business from
one end OF the country to the other. and.
sooner or later. the usual financial panic.
Republican politicians will scout the idea
that Roosevelt means business disturbance
as deep in the end as would follow Judge
Parker's election: but listen: Mr.. Roosevelt
is his own law and gospel. He proved that
by forcing the Cuban treaty through both
houses Of Congress in face OF the original
overwhelming opposition Of his fellow Re-
publicans. His iron will prevailed. What reason
Is there to think that he would not do the
same thing over and over again, until We had
crushingly competitive reciprocity treaties
with all the leading nations OF the earth?
There 10 nothing in the Republican platform
to hinder it, and II there were. what Is a small
thing like q party platform to men like Mr..
Roosevelt? The party platform protected
American sugar and tobacco growers-but
the Cuban treaty went through.
Now. the Republican platform permits
reciprocity that will mot injure any American
industry" Who is to decide whether q given
treaty viii or will not SO operator Mr.. Roose-
welt. In his message on the subject. peremp-
torily decided. In face Of the ardent protest Of
experts. that the Cuban treaty would not
harm any American industry" His lone
some decision was sufficient. He gave the
keynote. and q supine House and Senate
swallowed their conscientious convictions
and sang along in harmony with their chief.
Mr., Roosevelt. then. LIS the umpire. He Is to
decide whether a given treaty will harm any
American industry. What he says goes-for
didn't 1t go with the Cuban treaty? And am
/ not right in saying that protectionists are
now between the devil and the deep sea in
their choice? For where is our pledge that
Mr.. Roosevelt will now be coed and submit
to the honest convictions Of a majority Of his
party; or, IL he does not that Congress will
have any more courage to oppose him in the
future than it had year or so ago?
Mr.. Roosevelt and his past works are
after all, his party's platform. Judge Parker
is surely the Democratic PLATFORM and he is
a Judge of the highest character, the keen
eat judicial perception. and with a nerve to
beard any number Of desperate politicians.
The Sphinx Of Esopus. by the celebrated
telegram. is no longer a sphinx-he is the
unique moral Colossus of American political
history.
The money issue was killed by Judge Par
kers telegram. The tariff issue remains, with
the devil Of Free Trade on one side and the
deep sea OF Roosevelt Reciprocity on the
other. What is poor protectionist to do?
ROSWELL A. BENEDICT.
CRAWFORD. n. j.. July IL.