The Oskaloosa herald., 1906-10-25

B5HtIUusl UIIstIIIsW pdITIOtIC
impulses that ever moved the human
heart to action. 1t was born at that
period when the slave oligarchy of the
south dominated our national govern
ment. 1t was baptized in blood in its
early infancy on the prairies of Kansas.
1t was vested with the responsibility of
administering our national government in
It's youth, and was forced to buckle on its
military armor before it was fully in
stalled into office. 1t was compelled to
wage a long and mighty war to main
tam the existence of this nation. 1t in
augurated and carried through all of the
great war measures, military, financial,
legislative, judicial and constitutional, to
a successful termination. Every repub-
lican can look back upon the achieve
ments of the party with pride. 1t has
always had a soul and a conscience, and
has always been imbued with the pro-
gressive spirit, the spirit of the declara-
ton of Independence, of John Browns
Soul is Marching on" of 81 will fight it
out on this line if it takes all summer"
of with malice toward none, with CHAR
ity for all, with firmness in the right
as God gives us to see the right" and 1t
is these attributes which have endeared
1t to the people of the nation, and en-
abled 1t to achieve such great work for
them and for mankind.
Must Meet New Issues.
But while that which has been accom-
plished by the party in the past, may
commend 1t to the confidence Of the peo-
pie, no party is entitled to the control
of our government simply on account of
what 1t has done in the past. 1t must
meet all new questions that may arise.
and 1t must present a better programme
for the future than any other party, and
it must show its ability and determination
to honestly carry 1t out. A party cam
not maintain the confidence of the peo-
pie unless it serves their best interests.
If it falls under the control of those who
have class interests to serve, it does not
deserve and will not long retain the re-
spect and support of good and INTELLIGENT
people. 1t Is the duty of every person to
e7deavor to prevent INSCRIPTIONS men
from getting control and using his narty
for improper purposes. When n party has
not sufficient stamina to diVest itself from
control of DESIGNING and dishonest nr"n, it
VIII and should lose the support OF those
who desire only the public welfare.
The history of parties of this country in
the past shows this cOnclusiVelv. The old
federal party after having rendered great
service to the country, fell under control
of improper influences and died from loss
Of confidence of the people. The old whig
table party, but 1t ccurted the support OF
the slave power and died a natural DEATH
The old Jeffersonian party, early known
as the republican party and later as the
democratic party, rendered during the
early years Of its existence great service
to the country, until 1t fell under the
domination of the slave oligarchy, when
1t lost its power and maintained only a
years during and after the civil war.
Since that time II has gained somewhat
in the confidence OF the people 1t is no
longer free trade party as 1t was when
1t was entirely dominated by the cotton
planters of the south. The platform Just
adopted by the democratic party of Iowa,
It must be admitted, is an Improvement
over any platform ever before adopted by
1t. 1t is more progressive than usual, and
contains many good recommenda tions
concerning state affairs, but its one great
shef shnd 9eI9 GeT0mmsndatIGn 's "a tariff for
surely bring Overwhelming disaster to our
people in all the various walks of life.
The adoption of this policy by our nation
all industrial interests. and especially
would the farmers and the wage earners
suffer from 1t.
History Justifes Protection.
This experiment has been tried over
and over again in this country. The pro-
tective policy has always brought pros
perity to the people and whenever It has
followed and so 1t will be in the future.
To know this no spirit OF prophecy is re-
quired but only knowledge OF the finan-
cial history of the country.
The fathers understood this thoroughly
and were in favor OF the protective
policy. from the first organization of con-
gress under the federal constitution. The
second bill passed by the first congress
and signed by Washington July 4. 1889,
was for protection Of American indus
tries. The country at once enjoyed pros
perity. All Of the presidents until lack
sons second term favored this policy.
In 1872 duties were increased and not
withstanding an expensive war was
carried on, prosperity continued. re-
duction OF duties in 1916 induced large i'm
portations of foreign goods and universal
distress was the result.
An act of 1924 increasing duties brought
immediate relief to all classes.
The act Of 1893, or the notification
tariff providing for an ultimate reduc-
ton of duties to uniform level of %
per cent, caused the great financial crisis,
eliminating in 1897 a sad period Of gloom
and disaster for the whole country
In 1912 an increase Of tariff duties raised
the country from depression and disaster.
to confidence and prosperity.
In 1916 the Walker tariff again reduced
duties, and 1t is to this low tariff that
the friends Of a tariff for revenues only,
and free traders always refer, to show
that the country was prosperous for
about ten years, in spite OF this wrong
policy but the prosperity was caused by
a combination of circumstances not like
ly to happen again Large expenditures
were made at home to carry on the Mexi-
can war.
Crops failed in Europe a terrible famine
in Ireland the revolution OF 184s in vari-
GUS European countries. Gold discovered
in California and large productions from
France and Russia. The democratic par
ty making a wrong diagnosis OF the case,
supposIng It was the low rate Of duties
that caused the prosperity, instead OF the
combination of causes above named. in
1857 reduced the duties still lower. What
followed? President Buchanan answered
in his annual message in December 1857:
'Tn the midst of unsurpassed plenty. In
all the productions and elements of ma
tional wealth, we find our manufactures
suspended our public works retarded, our
private enterprises OF different kinds
abandoned and thousands of useful labor
ers thrown out OF employment and re-
duced to want" The stagnation OF busi-
ness and paralysis of trade and enterprise
continued for the next four years with
severe and widespread distress. I remem-
ber It well. I was operating a merchant
mill at that time. kept record OF my
wheat purchases for twenty-five years.
The average price for 1858 was 46.5 cents
per bushel, the lowest average for the
whole period; In 1868, 81 SO: In 1877, 124S;
highest price paid during the TWENTY-FIVE
wears, 50 20, in 1867; lowest price during
the period, S. cents, in 1855 Even at the
low price paid for wheat in 1858 lost
money on II.
Stagnation is too feeble a term to ex-
nress the business situation at that time.
Bankruptcy ruled throughout the coun-
try. Imports exceeded the exports. Money
went out OF the country to pay the bal
anceo trade against us. The war came