Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-25
Mr.. Bryan on the Tariff.


he is convinced, is the great issue be-
fore the people. He raises his voice
for "a tariff for revenue only" that
is. for free trade, as he did during his
two terms in Congress. In more re-
cent times MIR. Bryan has shown a
much livelier interest in other sub
iects than in the tariff. Twelve
years ago, in his first campaign for
the White House, he turned his
oratory against the abhorrent gold
Standard: free coinage at the saving
ratio of IL to l was the peoples one
chance for deliverance from their
tasklnasters in 1896. Eight years
ago, in his second campaign, Mr..
Rryan's soul was aflame against the
wickedness of imperialism. Returning
from his journey around the world. he
brought with him a new revelation
the federal government must own the
great trunk railroads. How many
IIDHtlS HdNc dliA 6oAS oA''SS AAN
announced that unbelievers in the
initiative and referendum had no
riehtful lot or part in the Democratic
party? But the Denver platform is
silent about the ratio, about govern
ment ownership, about the initiative
and referendum; and Mr. Bryan has
gone back to the theme of his youth.
Does he have anything to say about
the Democratic record on the tariff
no more than he or any other Demo-
crat has to say about the Democratic
record or anything. The past is n
painful proposition to them. They
plead that their party be judged by its
promises for the future. not by its
record in the past. Mr.. Bryan did not
do any pointing with pride to the last
Democratic tariff Hardly! 1t would
not suit his purposes to review the
hard times that followed it's enact
ment and the good times which have
followed the country's sensible return
to the protective policy as expressed In
the Dingley law. But he wants the
country to trust the enemies of the
protective policy to tinker this Ding
ley tariff.
the Republican party should revise a
protectionist tariff because it is pro-
tecticnist party. This practically raises
the direct issue whether the tariff now
in force shall be revised by its friends
or its enemies, by the supporters of
duties that give protection or by the
advocates OF duties that do not pro-
tect. The Republican party asks for
no better issue. The more definitely
Mr.. Bryan urges this issue the more
definite and certain will be his defeat
The tariff is today protectionist
tariff. as it has been through all our
existing Industrial development, save
for the brief period when Demo-
tariff that even Mr. Cleveland would
not sign. Tariff revision is now GER
tain. 1t will be made by one party or
the other Shall this revision be by a
Republican majority in Congress,
friendly to the system. the develop
ment and the protection of the past
half century. or by majority in Con-
gress opposed to this system, the
method of this development and its
protection?
Mr. Bryan is not mentioning free sill
yer or imperialism or government
ownership this year. But his views
on those matters were just as sound as
his tariff views. Moreover, his party
is no more united on the tariff than it
hae been on those other things.
Louisiana could not be carried on free
sugar or Alabama on free pig iron, or
either North or South Carolina on free
cotton goods. The growth of manu-
features over the South renders it i'm
practicable and impolitic for Demo-
cratic presidential candidate to pro-
pose definite reductions. So he talks
vaguely Of great reforms he would
make as President. of trusts he would
smash, Of wonderful things he would
do all by assaulting the great policy
Of protection under which our country
has made such wonderful progress and
enjoyed such unprecedented prosper
ity. When Bryan next runs for the
presidency what issue will he use as
the vehicle of his futile vote-hunting
crusade?
The death of Baron Speck Won Stern
burg, the German ambassador to the
United States, il great loss to the
diplomatic service. Of his country His
presence Ct Washington has been par
II op.lt- Ill