The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-11-02
WILSON TEACHES TAFT HISTORY
CORRECTS PRESIDENT As TO
CAUSE OF 1898 PANIC.
Democratic Nominee Shows Panic
Started Before Cleveland Became
President and Regrets Present
Chief Executive "Has Not Read
History Of United States''--Says
Tnft's Statement made I'm Ignor-
snce.

row wilson, In tnree speecnes nlled
with satirical attacks on his oppon-
ents. emphasized In North New Jer<
sey tonight that he was not a believer
in free trade and that the Democratic
party did not intend to disturb legi~
innate business or the prosperity OF
the country IL put into power.
The Democratic Presidential nomi-
nee declared those OF his opponents
who constantly asked him to define
his position on the tariff could not
read the English language"
He said he had repeated time and
again In his speeches his policy Of cut
ting out OF the tariff merely the spe-
cial privileges lodged in 1t. mo
thoughtful Democrat" he added. had
advocated free trade"
To President Taft's statement pub
lished today with regard TO the panic
Of the early nine:ies. Governor Wilson
made an extended reply. first at Mont
Clair. where he addressed a big auai-
ence. and again at Newark. where ne
spoke tonight. lie said 1t was wrong
20 attribute that panic to the tariff
legislation because the panic started
before the tariff bhl was enacted"
He attributed the panic to Republican
currency legislation.
II find am invited 90 re.urp to my
old occupation" said the Governor.
II used to be a teacher OF history and
I find II necessary to- teach II some
more. find myself abashed in facing
the necessity OF teaching II To the
President OF the United States.
"And when the President OF the
United States makes himself respon-
sible for the statement that the panic
OF ts93 was due to tariff bill that
came a year afterward and came be-
-.canse~ Ss-asr. Clsssland's administra-
tion. can only express my deep re-
gret that the President OF the United
States has not read the history Of the
United States.
ANY statement that Mr.. Taft
makes. I believe TO be made in hon
esty. but this staement. IL he has
made IL. he has made in ignorance;
because the panic of 1893 can be
shown to have arisen cut of the cur
rency legislation OF a Government alb
solutely controlled by the Republican
party. The panic OF 1898 was on it's
way before Mr.. Cleveland became
President. and II matured merely in
the first part of his administration
and would have been stopped IL the
Senate OF the United states had yield
ed more promptly To the advices OF
the administration.
1t Is unworthy of men in public
life to misiead the public thought af-
ter such a fashion. but don't doubt
the verdict on the 5th OF November.
IL don't limit my view by the DEM
ocratlc party. l look through the
Democratic party TO the destinies Of
the United States. and II the Demo
cratic party does not serve you after
you have tried II. reject II and l will
join you In rejecting IT,"
The Governor declared that the
programme OF the other two parties
were programmes OF postponement."
"Cne OF the evidences of the weak
ness OF the regular Republican party"
ne said. lis It's misstatements and
manifestations OF despair on the bill
boards They say Governor Wilson
does not sufficiently define his posi-
tion on the tariff. All we have TO do
To know Governor Wilson's position on
the tariff Is to he able To read the
English language. In almost every
speech l have defined my exact posi-
ton. ' made II clear in "a speech in
Philadelphia last night and yet one OF
the papers this morning In Philadel-
phla announced that ] had declared
for free trade.
For those who are curious or can
not read English will explain my
views again.
''in the first place. l have not heard
single thoughtful Democrat declare
for free trade. have heard every
Democratic declare for u policy of go
ing through all the schedules of the
tariff and finding all the illcgitimate
concealed privileges and cutting every
one OF them out. leaving absolutely
safe every sound and healthful fibre
of American business"
The Governor said the Dcmoc attic
party's programme was one by which
America would "bc llberatcd--no, en-
barrassed."