Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-24

Of our commerce 1t is the policy OF
the administration predicated upon the
soundest national prudence, to settle
and remove by treaty, SO far as posi-
bic, those international differences
which might lead to future friction.
We favor the adjustment of interna-
tional disagreements by an appeal to
reason rather than to arms. A great
majority of the questions which arise
between nations may, without compro-
missing the national honor, be submit
ted to arbitration. The administrator
of Mr. Mckinley did well to aid In the
creation of The Hague tribunal ana
President Rooseveltis entitled to great
credit for being the first to invoke It's
Jurisdiction in the settlement OF the
Plus fund cases.
Our relations with the world were
never better. We have avoided all
entangling alliances and, in the Ian
guage of the eminent secretary OF
state eve are without any ally and
without an enemy"
Upholds Policy Of Protection.
The convention wisely declared in
favor of protection which guards and
develops our industries" and that the
measure of protection should always
at least equal the difference in the
cost of production at home and
abroad"
This principle was embodied in the
platform of the convention which first
nominated Abraham Lincoln, and 1T
has continued to be one OF the cardln-
al doctrines of the republican party
during the forty-four years which nave
elapsed since then. 1t has been In
corporated into the public law and has
become the foundation of our industrl-
al system. 1t has been regarded by
the republican party as reasonable
and appropriate exercise of the legis-
lative power when imposing duties
upon imports to discriminate in fav-
or Of American industries. This prin-
ciple Is dictated by a due regard for
our own enterprise and industry and
is founded upon the highest consider
atoms of national interest.
The democratic convention which
lately assembled at ST. Louis, denounc-
ed protection as robbery of the
many to enrich the few" and favored
"revision and gradual reduction of
the tariff"
The issue is thus distinctly made. 1t
is by no means new one, for, while
the republican party has uniformly ad,
hered to the policy of protection, the
democratic party has been consistent
in it's opposition. 1t has held to the
doctrine Of revenue tariff, and dur.
Ill - 80 t1o q G
maintained that the protective system
was opposed to good morals, In contra
vention of the constitution, and in vic.
lation of sound economics. The OBJ
jections which are now urged against
it are only repetition of those which
have found utterance for many years
The difference between the parties is
radical and fundamental. 1t involves
the principle Of protection and not
simply the measure of the duties to be
laid.
Revision esthe Tariff.
A revision of ddties should be made
only when conditions have SO changed
that the public interest demands their
alteration and they should be so re
vised as to- preserve and not destroy
the protective principle.
"A revision and reduction by those
who regard the tariff as a robbery
must awaken serious apprehension
among all whose capital is employed
or who are engaged at labor in the va
rious. enterprises throughout the coun
try which depend in large measure
upon the maintenance of the protec
tive system. A revision Of the tariff
along revenue lines means the increas
ed importation of the products of for
eign manufacture which come into
competition with our domestic produc
ton. 1t means loss to the American
wage earners and to American capital
This is, therefore, not a Theoretical
question which is presented to them
but is one of immediate and practica
moment 1t can be settled by then
and by them only.
History abundantly shows that the
greatest industrial development of the
country has occurred during the peri
cd when the protective tariff has beer
maintained and that during this time
labor has received its largest rewards
and capital has been most profitabl.
engaged.
Prosperity Vindicates Protection.
The development of the countr.
during the last forty-four years is
complete vindication of the virtue AM
efficacy of protective system. 1T
benefits have been diffused through
all sections of the country and amonl
all our people. 1t has enlarged on
home market until 1t has become tn
greatest in the world. This we shout,
not unnecessarily surrender. We hav
believed it to be a wise and nationa
policy to preserve the American maj
ket for American producers and SO Sc
cure to our workingmen an increases
wage scale.
In 1860 the value of our exports ant
manufactures was s40,345,S92. Twent,
!. years later 1t was $102,S56,015, AM
last year S452,445,629. The pretensiol
Of its opponents that the protective
tariff is inconsistent with the exten
sion of our foreign commerce IS thu
denied by actual results.
In considering the effect Of the re
spective tariff policies of the republi
, can and democratic parties, we ar