Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-10-24
s.---'.-'
HON. C. BASCOM SLEMP

district in 1910 We may expect therefore, if the Demo-
cratic party should come into power the same results
TO follow the adoption and the into law of
the Democratic platform of 1912 as followed the enact
ment into law of the platform of 1892
The Democratic newspapers become offended when
the Republican speakers to the distress that fol-
lowed the enactment of the Wilson German tariff law
they say 1t is unfair refer soup houses that
were In the land They say that Mr.. Munceys speech
Is Ola on this subject. hope it will offensive to
them for me to quote what Governor Woodrow Wilson
said was the condition of the country after the
of this law:
There had been real distress in the country Iono
continued hopeless if the springs of wealth and pros
per1ty had dried The distress was most marked and
apparently most hopeless in the great agricultural
areas OF the South and West The prices of agricultural
products had fallen low that universal bankruntcv
seemed to the farmers but little wav off There
was marked depression in ali kinds of business as if
enterprise out of heart money no where to be
hau except among few capitalists in Wall Street
After the Republicans into power the situation
is again described by Governor Wilson, who saws;
Not until the very year 1897, when the new Repub-
can administration in, did the crisis seem to he
passed The country had at last built railways and
manufacturing system had cot ready to come
out OF its debt command foreign markets with soma
thing than it's food stuffs and p,ata for +oof .
place of mastery"
The American people thus paid the price in 1894 of
Democratic tnkerne with the and they have never
forgotten or cease to regret that poor experience
In 1885, under Bryan, opposition any agitation of tariff
tracking the principle which the Democratic candidate saws
is as the "Rock of Ages"
In 1900 under Bryan again. amend the existing law NV
putting trust products the free list
In 1904, under Parker gradual reduction of the tariff;
Why were they cautious about the reduction of tariff duties
the principles for tariff for only was rue as Holv
Writ" '
In l9O0 under Bryan again. tariff for revenue only plat
1o and here we find the Democratic party again planting
Its feet suarey this principle though they also adyo
Gated free trade wood pulp print paper lumber and logs
SO that it will be that the Democratic party nationally
has favored every possible view the tariff question from
incidental protection to practical free trade At times thew
abandoned the principle entirely in favor of paramount
issues at times they inserted clauses that changes should
be made that would work injury American labor at times
tariff for only and at other declared that anv
other kind of tariff would be unconstitutional In the nation
the Democratic party has only changed tariff policy once
IN four years. but in the Ninth district they change every
two years. Now you them and now you don't
Two years ago my distinguished opponent the Hon
H. c. Stuart, in his campaign speeches. declared:
Il am protectionist, but not an extortionist
Il believe In a tariff limited the difference in the
cost of production In this country and abroad.
My observations abroad have taught me to believe
that American wOrkmen need this difference for their
protection"