PROTECTION OF SUPREME IMPORTANCE. Another issue of supreme importance is that of Protection. The peril of free silver is a menace to be feared; we are already experiencing the effect of partial free trade. The one must be averted; the other corrected. The Republican Party is w’edded to the doctrine of Protection and was never more earnest in its support and advocacy than now. If argument were needed to. strengthen its devotion to “the American system,” or increase the hold of that system upon the party and people, it is found in the lesson and experience of the past three years. Men realize in their own daily lives what before was to many of them only report, history or tradition. They have had a trial of both systems and know what each has done for them. DEMANDED BY THE PUBLIC EXIGENCIES. Washington, in his Farewell Address, September 17, 1796, a hundred years ago, said: “As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible; avoiding the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear.” To facilitate the enforcement of the maxims which he announced, he declared: “It is essential that you should practically bear in mind, that towards the payment of debts there must be revenue;1 that to have revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient or unpleasant; that the intrinsic embarrassment inseparable from the selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of difficulties) ought to be a -decisive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the Government in making it; and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue which the public exigencies may at any time dictate.” Animated by like sentiments the people of the country must now- face the conditions -which beset them. “The public exigencies ” demand prompt protective legislation wffiich w’ill avoid the accumulation of further debt by providing adequate revenues for the expenses of the Government. This is manifestly the requirement of duty. If elected President of the United States it -will be my aim to vigorously promote this object, and give that ample encouragement to the occupations of the American people, which, above all else, is so imperatively demanded at this juncture of our National affairs. OUR CONDITION UNDER PROTECTION. In December, 1892, President Harrison sent his last message to Congress; It -was an able and exhaustive review of the condition and resources of the country. It stated our situation so accurately that I am sure it will not be amiss to recite his official and valuable testimony “There never has been a time in our history,” said he, “-when -work was so abundant, or w’hen wages were so high, whether measured by the currency in which they are paid, or by their power to supply the necessaries and comforts of life. The general average of prices has been such as to give to agriculture fair participation in the general prosperity. The new industrial plants established since October, 6, 1890, and up to 9
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