Now let us talk for a few moments about the price of wool. For ten years preceding the repeal of the McKinley law, the average price of Ohio X.X.Washed wool in the Boston market was a little over 31 1/5 cents per pound. April 1, 1896 wool was quoted in the same market at 18 cents a pound. Such a startling contrast in prices needs no comments. As millions of our sheep were slaughtered we were compelled to import wool and woolen textiles into this country sending our money abroad, which should have been paid to the American farmer and sheep raiser. Instead of this we paid our money over to foreigners in exchange for wool and woolen textiles, which came into this country like a flood when the McKinley law was repealed and the duty removed. The result was that the woolen mills of America were practically all shut down and thousands upon thousands of American workingmen and women were thrown out of employment, and in turn, were unable to purchase the products from the American farm. No wonder the American farmer found a ready market for his potatoes in 1892, when all our people were employed, at from 50c to 60c a bushel; and to-day, when our people are unemployed, the farm price of potatoes is from 25c to 30c a bushel. Let us see what sort of a stewardship has been going on in this country for the last few years. For the twenty-five months ending November 1, 1892, our balance of trade with other nations was in our favor to the extent of $28,245,641. That is what the McKinley law and protection did for this country. That, fellow citizens, is what we call good business methods. Selling to other nations more than we purchased from them to the extent of $28,245,641, or an average of $1,129,822 per month, or $37,660 per day. (Applause.)
WHAT THE RECORD IS.
Now, let us look at Mr. Cleveland's record for the fifteen months ending December 1, 1895—this, you will remember, was under the Wilson bill. We find the balance of trade, instead of being in our favor, was against us to the enormous amount of $70,494,044, or an average of $4,699,603 per month, or $153,653 per day. That, fellow citizens, is a pretty good sized daily loss. That is what we call remarkably poor business methods, and so does every one within the hearing of my voice who is disposed to be fair in the consideration of this question. But why speak further of the evils of free trade, or multiply examples of the blessings of protection. The record of the last three and a half years has been an object lesson, both impressive and eloquent. It is gratifying to note that some of the ultra free traders in 1892 are the most pronounced protectionists in 1896. Many of the old time democrats who are proud of the traditions of their party, proud of the principles which they have cherished for so many years, are refusing to follow the platform adopted by the degenerate democracy of 1896. Let us mete out justice to whom justice is due.
WHEN THE FLAG OF OUR COUNTRY, WAVING ABOVE FORT SUMTER WAS FIRED UPON BY THE ENEMIES OF GOOD GOVERNMENT, THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THE DEMOCRATS OF THE NORTH FORGOT THEIR POLITICS, SHOULDERED THEIR MUSKETS AND BECAME PATRIOTS. (APPLAUSE.) THIS YEAR OF GRACE, 1896, WHEN THE GUNS OF ANARCHY AND SOCIALISM ARE DIRECTED AGAINST THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE NATION'S HONOR AND CREDIT, THESE SAME DEMOCRATS BY THE TENS OF THOUSANDS ARE TURNING FROM THAT PLATFORM OF REPUDIATION AND ARE THE STANCHEST OF PATRIOTS. (APPLAUSE.)
SPIRIT OF REVOLUTION.
It cannot be denied that a spirit of wantonness and revolution prevailed at the Chicago convention, repudiation was openly advocated on the floor of the convention hall and made a part of the platform adopted. The red hand of anarchy grappled the throats of all who dared oppose the extreme measures advocated by that seething sea of restless agitators. I wish to draw a line of demarkation, clear and distinct, between the old Simon-pure democracy of Hamilton and Jefferson, and this new degenerate democracy of Bryan, Tillman and Altgeld. It is true the framers of the Chicago platform claim the name, but the tenants and faith are strangely at variance with the traditions and principles of the old Jeffersonian doctrine. My countrymen, it is not alone the volume of money which the people want, but they demand its activity in trade and commerce. If you ask me how this can best be accomplished, I will answer by saying, protect American industries and universal confidence will surely follow. (Applause.)
GREAT IS CONFIDENCE.
CONFIDENCE IS THE SHIBBOLETH OF PROSPERITY.
CONFIDENCE THAT GOOD DOLLARS MEAN WELL PAID LABOR.
CONFIDENCE THAT WELL PAID LABOR MEANS GOOD TIMES.