The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-22

~1-H-<-cckLZEx&Z
Senator Charles w. Fairbanks, who i
nation for
of our commerce. 1t is the policy OF
the administration, predicated upor
the souRdest national prudence, tC
settle and remove by treaty. so fal
! as possible, those international diff
ferences which lead to future friction
We favor the adjustment of inter
national disagreements by an appeal
to reason, rather than to arms. A
great majority of the questions which
| arise between nations, may. without
| compromising the national honor, be
| submitted to arbitration. The admin
| istratiOn of President Mckinley did
| we'll to aid in the creation of The
! Hague Tribunal. and President Roose-
Welt is entitled to great credit for be-
1 ing the first to invoke its jurisdiction
cases.
Our relations with the world were
never better. We have avoided all en-
| tangling alliances. and, in the language
/ OF the eminent secretary of state, I'VE
are without an ally and without an
| enemy"
The convention wisely declared in IA
vor of protection which guards and
develops our industries" and that 1.-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
nominated Abraham Lincoln, and it
has continued to D. one of the cardi-
nal doctrines of the Republican party
during the ~ years which have ELAPSED
since then. 1t has become incorpora-
ted into the public law and has become
the foundation of our industrial sys-
tenn 1t has been regarded by the Re
publican party as a reasonable and
appropriate exercise of the legislative
power when imposing duties upon i'm
ports to discriminate in favor of Amer
lean industries. This principle is dicta-
ted by a due regard for our enterprhSe
and industry, and is founded upon the
highest considerations of national in
terest.
The Democratic convention which
lately assembled at st. Louis denounc-
ed protection as robbery of the
many to enrich the few and favored
a revision and gradual reduction of
the tariff
The issue is thus distinctly made. 1t
is by no means a new one, for while
the Republican party has uniformly adj
hered 10 the policy of protection, the
Democratic party has been consistent
in its opposition. 1t has held to the
doctrine of a revenue tariff, and during
all the years of the contest has MAIN
tanned that the protective system was
opposed to good morals, IN controven-
ton of the constitution and in viola
ton of sound economics. The objec-
lions which are now urged against it
are only a repetition of those which
The difference between the parties is
radical and fundamental. 1t involves
the principle of protection and not SIM
ply the measure of the duties to be
laid.
A revision of duties 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 apprehensions among
all whose capital is employed or who |
are engaged at labor in the various en-
terprises throughout the country, which |
OF the protective system. |
A revision of the tariff along revenue |
lines means the increased Importation |
of the products of foreign manufacture /
which come into competition with our
domestic production. 1t means a loss
to the American wage earners and TO
American capital This is, therefore,
not a theoretical question which is pre-
sented to them. but is one of immedi-
ate and practical moment. 1t can be
settled by them. and by them only.
History abundantly shows that the
greatest industrial development of the
cd when the protective tariff has been
and that during this time
abor has received it's largest rewards
and capital has been most profitablx
engaged.
The development of the country dur
ng the last A years is complete vim
iication of the virtue and efficiency of
l protective system Its benefits have
)een diffused through all sections of
he country and among all our people.
t has enlarged our home market until
I has become the greatest in the
world. This we should not unnecessar-
ly surrender. We have believed it to
,e a wise national policy to preserve
he American market for American
PRODUCERS and to secure to our work
ngmen an increased wage scale.
In 1860 the value of our exports and :
was $40,345, S92. Twenty
ears later it was $102, $50, OILS, and last
ear 1852, 445.629. The pretension of its s
pponentS that the protective tariff is '
with the extension of our {
oreign commerce is thus denied by
ctual results. In considering the eff
ect of the respective tariff policies of s
he Republican and Democratic parties,
re are fortunately able to consult past {
Experience. What a revenue tariff will 9
ccomplish we know, for we have hith-
rto seen how it has arrested industrial !
eVelopment and embarrassed enter
rise to the injury of both labor and
apital- Neither escapes its blighting
fleets
Commercial reciprocity with foreign
ountries consistent with the princi
les of protection" has long been one
{ the we'll recognized policies of the
republican party. The present admin
'uai--l. III the lace OF SeIlOuS OeInO-
ratio opposition, secured a treaty of
sciprocity with Cuba, which promises
, give us control of a large share of
ne commerce of that island.
Both Presidents Mckinley and
ROOSEVELT attempted to negotiate a
-eaty of reciprocity with Canada.
hat subject, together with the Alas
an boundary and other matters, were
admitted to a joint high commission