The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1907-11-20
A VERY POTENT FORCE IN THE
CoUNTRY'S WELFARE.

ty. Whenever money is plentiful and
our credit is good, We are all right,
from a financial standpoint. When
ever the public loses confidence in
our country, in it's credit and its abil-
ity to pay, then the cold eye of dis
trust rivets its gaze upon our finan--
trust rivets its gaze upon our finan-
cial affairs, business becomes stag
mated or paralyzed and erstwhile pros
perity takes the wings of the wind.
This oft-called public confidence
is curious thing. II is both alb
stract and concrete. 1t measures its
effects by it's volume. 1t is like a
rolling SNOWFALL; it gathers substance
as it goes. 1t is cyclonic in its de-
structive qualities. From the mere
breath OF suspicion it quickly in
creases to a whirlwind of destruction.
The mere rumor that some financial
institution is upon "shaky legs is
sufficient to give being TO this pub
lie confidence" specter and it immed-
lately assumes the form and force of
an overwhelming cloud. With breath
it can sweep away the toiling efforts,
the trained sagacity of years of
shrewd business acumen. This has
been illustrated time and again by
the run upon banks. Institutions Of
known resources and stability have
been crushed in a day by the mere
effect or lack of this public conf
dence."
But the prime aim and purpose Of
these humble remarks was TO com
ment upon the presence and effect of
our high protective tariff as it bears
upon business interests and national
from which we have de-
waited only to introduce some sym
pathetic, compelling causes. The great
business enterprises of our country
are in a great measure affected by
the national tariff, whether high or
low The tariff, as our taxes, and
like the poor, is with us always. 1t
pervades every enterprise, from the
great mandatory, capitalized at mill
ions, to the humblest home with a
few household articles. Wherever any
article Is made or used upon which
the tariff levies tribute, there its eff
fects are apparent. While professedly
for the benefit of the many, it is es-
sentially the implement of the rich
few. the men who are able to COM
mand large aggregations of capital.
it takes from the many to contribute
to tn feew-few in number
but many in dollars. 1t does not
fluctuate in value or volume like 9th
er commodities, but remains fixed
asset, like any other tax.
The tariff was primarily institute
ed for the protection" of our in
FAINT industries the new
enterprises which our country was
putting forth. But this excuse for its
being, especially in a high protective
sense, has been swallowed up years
ago in the magnitude, power and fl
nancial immensely of these erstwhile
infants" From protection to a few
favored industries, it has grown TO
be a burden to the populace, the cit
izenship in general.
There is never any clash between
capital and the tariff, as between
capital and labor There is suppos-
ed to be an affinity of interests be-
tween the two. The tariff is suppos-
ed to be the hulwark of capital. But
when public confidence loses its
effect, when 'frenzied finance be-
comes more frenzied at the mythical
yet material sweep of financial dis
trust, and great moneyed institutions
are swept into the maelstrom of dis
aster and ruin, who comes to their re-
lie1 with that tangible substance which
affords the surest and safest main
stay? is 1t the tariff? Does the tar
iff then protect? Nay, verify. Not
little bit. It's boosted prowess as
tn. protector OF great American in
situations is futile in the face of such
exigencies.
hut who-we wish to emphasize it
WHO comes tC the relief of the mon
eyed barons, re-establishes public
confidence and brings forth assur-
ances-assets- that are at the same
time tangible and real? Who affords
tn, most substantially protection agains
financial destruction and ruin? Who
saves the day? Is II the protected
industries of the country those sell
ish institutions OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT
ard wealth that have the strong arm
IF Uncle Sam upholding their fulsome
rratentions? Nay, verify, again. Not
MI ch.
II is the FARMER. Il Is the
same farmer whom the protective tar
if does not protect, and who in spite