New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-23
PROGRESSIVE PROTECTION.

We cannot begrudge our Democratic friends
such comfort as they can obtain from trying to
see IN Republican plans for keeping the tariff
ND 20 date triumph of their peculiar principles
Doubtless Republican tariff revision in the di-
yection of lower duties on some classes OF i'm
ports would cut the ground from under the feet
of Democratic campaigners who have for years
been protesting that the idea Of tariff revised
iy its friends was preposterous and that the
only place where anybody could ever cut off that
dogs tail was just behind the ears. But, as
matter of fact, the proposed Republican revision
IS as different as can be from the Democratic
prescription. The tail cutting will not be done
behind the ears TO kill the animal, as the Demo-
Gratis desire. There IS this difference, and it is
fundamental: The Democrats want revision
shat will destroy protection. The Republicans
would revise TO perfect protection by bringing
st into closer harmony with business conditions.
The free traders, espousing an priori theory,
are freed from all trouble about changing condi-
lions Basng their policy on what they believe
20 be an immutabie principle, If they find the
facts do not fit the theory they say so much the
worse for the facts. Devotees Of a tariff for
revenue only, they denounce consideration for
private Industrial interests, and as between
duty which would incidentally help a home in
dustry and one which would incidentally harm
Il they might be expected to choose the latter.
government should be used to help private bust
ness. They can 90 on levying duties for reve-
hue with supreme Indifference to the industrial
effect of their measures and the commercial
changes wrought by time.
The protectionists, the other hand, are
frank opponents Of empirlcsm. They recog-
nize that time makes ancient good uncouth 3"
and are not in the least ashamed 10 admit that
a measure which they considered wise one day
has been rendered unwse the next by changed
circumstances. Their principle is TO watch the
movements OF industry and modify the duties as
eXpediency directs. 1t may well be that what is
at one time n protective duty and the bulwark
OF an important industry may, as that industry
develops, not merely cease to have any needed
protective power, but actually become a burden
on some other related industry The true pro-
Uectonist is not the deyotee OF every duty
labelled protective" but the fair minded stu.
dent Of affairs who would suit the duties 10 con-
ditions as he finds them from time TO time.
Your high priest OF protection is no more
bound 10 u sacred schedule than 10 an a priori
free trade theory. but is progressive student
Of practical affairs. He would as soon lower a
duty 10 broaden and perfect the application of
protection as to raise 1t.
This has nothing in common with any meas
ure OF free trade theory. The Republican marty
Is not adopting Democratic principles II is
sticking as close as ever to its own DrincinIas
], which the Democrats have denounced as nm
constitutional" 1t means 70 protect American
? industry and American workmen and promote
( American trade, as in the past II has no apol
ogies 10 make for that past But ii is alive Il
the future bound by no academic doctrine and
devoted to making its measures in practical op