Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-07-10
The Tar,f.

formers whom it is impossible to
please. They not only want the
tariff question made an issue but
they want it made the only issue and,
strange to say. they are for the
most part men who supported Presi-
dent Mckinley, the high priest of
protection when che money question
was declared by the democrats to be
the paramount issue. If you talk
to these tariff reformers about the
trust question, they at once become
conservative and express fear lest
business may be disturbed by any
attack upon monopolies. If you
suggest railroad regulation, they are
inclined to think that enough has
been done in that direction and that
the subject is not very important
anyhow. Even imperialism does
not stir them very deeply, for what
are the principles of government
when compared with a tax upon the
merchandise? Such tariff reformers
are always complaining that the
democratic party does not put e.
nough emphasis upon the tariff
question, and yet, they have spent
the last twelve years in weakening
the democratic party and in proph-
esying its annihilation. During this
time, however, the democratic party
has gone along including the tariff
question among the issues discussed
but recognizing that it was not the
only issue and in two campaigns, at
least, not the paramount issue.
Events have increased its prolni-
nence during the last few years, and
it will doubtless occupy more con-
spicuous position in the next cam
paign than it has since 1892. The
party's position on the tariff was
strongly stated in '92, but the presi-
dent, when elected on that platform,
refused TO call congress together to
carry out policy upon which the
party was divided.
Tariff reform sentiment is grow
ing. The protective principle is
weaker than it has been before in
generation, and demand for tariff
reform may be more urgent than in
recent years Every excuse that has
from time to time been given for the
extortion practiced under the tariff
schedules has been worn out, and
there are now no now excuses to
offer. There is no doubt that the
party's position will be strongly
stated in the next campaign and
courageously defended, but it is not
likely that the question will be de-
clared to be paramount. 1t is real
ly part of the trust question, and
the trust question can not well be
considered apart from the tariff
question any more than the tariff
question can be considered apart
from the trust question.
The question of railroad regula-
ton is also part Of the trust ques-
ton, for the protective tariff and the
railroad discrimination have con-
tributed largely to the growth and
prosperity Of the trusts. These three
questions are closely united, and
they raise the same issue, namely
whether the government shall be
administered in the interest of the
whole people or in the interest of
few. The friends of tariff reform
ought to join with the opponents of
the trusts and the advocates of rail.
road regulation and make fight
for the application of democratic
principles to all of these questions.
There will be tariff reform enough
in the next campaign to please any
genuine tariff reformer, and there
ought to be no quarrel as to the rel
alive Importance. They are all i'm
portant, and no one interested in
any one of these questions should
waste his energy by abusing the
persons interested in the other
questions. There will be glory
enough for all if victory can be
won for the democratic maxim,
Equal rights to all and special
privileges to none. ."-Commoner,