---
title: The difference between trimming a hedge and cutting it down
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/hedge-trimming-tariff-1888/
description: Harper's Weekly, 4 August 1888, p. 568, by W. A. Rogers. A gardener trims a hedge labelled "Protection" while a seated Uncle Sam tells two crying boys…
section: Collection
---

[Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)

[![The difference between trimming a hedge and cutting it down](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/hedge-trimming-tariff-1888.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/hedge-trimming-tariff-1888.jpg)

# The difference between trimming a hedge and cutting it down

Harper's Weekly, 4 August 1888, p. 568, by W. A. Rogers. A gardener trims a hedge labelled "Protection" while a seated Uncle Sam tells two crying boys not to come "tellin' me that old story about cuttin' down the hedge". A sign quotes the Republican Party's pledge to correct tariff inequalities and reduce the surplus. It argues for tariff revision, the Democratic position, and quotes only the opponent's pledge.

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
HARPER'S WEEKLY / [on the hedge] PROTEC[TION] / [on the sign] The REPUBLICAN PARTY in 188-: "Pledges itself to Correct the Inequalities of the Tariff [the Protection Hedge] and to Reduce the Surplus." / THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRIMMING A HEDGE AND CUTTING IT DOWN. / UNCLE SAM. "Now don't come around tellin' me that old story about cuttin' down the hedge and bein' eat up by the free-trade b'ars."
```

The final digit of the year on the sign and the bracketed words are small and read with some uncertainty.

[← Our choice, Grover Cleveland, A.G. Thurman. Democratic nominees](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/our-choice-cleveland-thurman-1888/) [Protection to home industry 1888 →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/protection-home-industry-1888/)

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