Los Cerrillos Rustler

MR. BLAINE'S VIEWS.

He Talks on Reciprocity at Republican Meeting in Maine.

Waterville, Me., Aug. 31.—A great Republican rally was held here last night. President Small, of Colby University, presided. After a short speech by Governor Burleigh, James G. Blaine gave a long address on the general subject of the tariff. Over 500 people were present.

In regard to the National question he said:

"I wish to declare the opinion that the country has reached a point where its duties are to enlarge the area of its foreign trade. Under the beneficent policy of protection we have developed a volume of manufactures which in many departments overruns the demands of the home market. In the field of agriculture with the immense population given it by agricultural implements we can do far more than produce breadstuffs and provisions for our own people, nor would it be an ambitious destiny for so great a country as ours to manufacture only what we can consume or produce only what we can eat. We are already in many fabrics and many products far beyond that, and our great demand is expansion of trade with countries where we can secure profitable exchanges. We are not seeking annexation of territory. Certainly we do not desire it, unless it should come by volition of a people who might ask the priceless boon of a place under the protection of the flag of the Union. I feel that for a time to come the people of the United States will be wisely content with our present area and not launch out on any scheme of annexation.

"At the same time I think we should be universally content if we do not seek to engage in what the younger Pitt so well termed annexation of trade. For nearly thirty years now the United States has had the advantage of a protective tariff—by far the longest unbroken period that its industrial policy has been in force since the Federal Government was organized. I do not mention protection because I intend to speak in reference thereto before this audience. I merely wish to proclaim its victories. Without protection the United States would have been poor indeed after the ravages of the war from 1861 to 1865. With protection every section has flourished and prosperity grown and gained. Even where revenue duties have been laid with no expectation of developing industries there have in many instances been great financial and industrial results." In closing he said:

"Our people do not realize the great fact that if specie payment is endangered in this country it is likely to be endangered by our present system of trade with the Latin-American States. The few millions of gold that have gone out of the country within the last three months have created uncasiness in certain quarters as to our financial position. It is very extraordinary that the loss of these millions from banks in Wall street should be accounted so serious an event when we have lost a much larger amount during the same period from the condition of our trade with countries south of us without exciting the least observation. When our merchants and bankers come to thoroughly appreciate this fact we shall receive aid and influence in the reform of our trade from a quarter which thus far it has been impossible to enlist."