Facts  are  more  potent  than  Theories.
What  has  been  accomplished  during
the  period  when  a  protective  tariff  has
been  in  operation  is  a  stronger  argument
in  its  favor  than  all  the  thin  spun  theories
of  so  called  political  economists,  or  the
prophecies  of  visionary  enthusiasts,  and
although  the  Democracy  has  called  it  ex
tortion  and  robbery,  and  declared  that  it
obstructed  the  progress  and  permanency
of  our  industries,  and  the  development  of
our  growth  to  wealth  and  national  great
ness,  still  the  actual  result  has  become  a
record  for  all  to  read,  so  that  no  man
need  go  astray.
How  it  contrasts  with  the  low  tariff  pe
riod  from  1847  to  1860,  when  we  had  prac
tically  a  revenue  tariff,  such  as  is  advocated
by  the  Democratic  party  of  to-day  !  It  was
a  period  of  universal  business  depression,
deficiencies  in  the  public  Treasury,  when
both  nation  and  individuals  were  compelled


86


THE  ISSUES  OF  1884.
to  borrow  money  at  the  most  exorbitant
rates  of  interest ;  and  it  was  in  this  condition
that  the  Republican  party  foundthe  country
when  it  came  into  power  on  the  4th  of
March,  1861.  The  Democratic  policy  of
the  tariff  was  immediately  reversed  ;  and
the  splendid  achievements  in  every  de
partment  of  industrial  activity,  the  large
revenues  of  the  Government,  its  improved
credit,  and  its  present  flourishing  monetary
conditions  are  the  highest  vindication  of  its
policy.  Every  class  in  the  country  has
been  benefited.  The  necessities  of  life
have  been  cheapened  to  the  consumer.
Every  article  of  merchandise  that  has  been
made  possible  of  manuracture  in  this
country  by  reason  of  protective  duties  has
been  cheapened,  instead  of  being  en
hanced  in  price.
Democratic  Tariff  from  a  British  Stand
point.
