The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-05-09 00:00:00

EFFECTS OF THE FREE TRADE SYSTEM.

An excellent letter has been published in the London
and several of the provincial papers, dated 22nd ultimo,
from the pen of " A London Merchant," and addressed
to " the operatives of Manchester." He begins by stating
that the system called free trade is not so in reality. He
than proceeds to argue the question, and the following is
the substance of his remarks.

Previous to 1846, many changes were made in the
customs duties, the wisdom of which was much doubted,
but be this as it may, Sir Robert Peel in that year pro-
posed further extensive changes, and he himself admitted
that the change in the Corn-laws was a great experiment,
in other words, that it might be beneficial to the country
or the reverse. Nearly all the Manchester operatives
were led to believe that the repeal of the Corn-laws (ad-
mitting corn at a nominal or very small duty) would give
them cheap bread, and an increase of foreign trade, while
they would continue to receive the same wages. He did
not think this, for how could they expect good wages
when they were called for an importation of foreign labour
into our home markets—already overstocked with native
labour. .. . . . _ _

Foreign corn requires foreign labour to produce it, and
to introduce this foreign labour free of duty, would ine-
vitably reduce the price of labour here. They were,
therefore, parting with a certainty for an uncertainty,
and pushed their representatives in parliament to this
course. In an evil hour Sir Robert Peel granted their
desire, and, in addition, permitted the importation, free
of duty, of foreign manufactures of cotton, linen, and
wool. This was another importation of foreign labour
duty free into their market, seriously reducing their
wages, unless an equal amount of home labour could be
f‘lund as an eqiuvalent. They were, however, promised
more than an eiitlivalent
the continuation of the same
wages, with a reduced price Cf bread.

The country has not got the equivalent, and will not get
it, so that the operatives in forcing the change, have in-
jured themselves and the prosperity of the country at the
same time.

The free-traders told them they must encourage foreign
imports, but the writer insists upon knowing if the system
will give profitable employment to our own labourers. By
taking the duty off foreign corn we encourage the foreign
farmer and his labourers. The foreigner did not encourage
our farmers by taking the duy off English corn as an
equivalent. We encouraged the cotton manufacturer of
Germany, Belgium, and France, but they gave us no
equivalent. In addition, we are more heavily taxed than
other nations, and must despair of wages being restored to
what they were before 1846.

The free-traders promised us an increase of prosperity,
by our paying for foreign imports in British goods, or gold
which we got for goods. But when large imports are
made, how are the exports brought about ? By a reduc-
tion in the value, more or less, of every species of property
in the kingdom, and a reduction of the wages of labour,
as well as a reduction in the demand for, or amount of, la-
bour wanted. It might be said, indeed, that they had
cheaper bread ; but they had less means to buy it.

Free-trade in reality, or concessions to foreign countries
for equivalent concessions to us, would certainly benefit
England, notwithstanding our taxation, but a contrary
system could not be beneficial. It was vain to say that
the consumer is benefitted by lower prices. The consum-
ers were not a separate class, but were the landlord, the
farmer, the agricultural labourer, and, in fine, all the
producing classes. Now if all these suffered in their pro-
perty, trade, and calling, their powers of consuming were
injured, and they were less able to buy cheap imports ?
In fact, the foreigner is now getting our former profits,
and we are getting their former comparative poverty.
The writer states that in his next letter he will prove
that while we were promised greater prosperity, we have
got less, and will point out where the operatives may find
a remedy, adding, in conclusion,—" May God grant you
patient endurance while you work for the remedy, for I
cannot say that it is near at hand."

PAPAL CONFORMITY

(From the Dublin Evening Mail.)

The Pope has intimated, by Envoy, to the Swiss Con-
federation, that he is ready to go as far as the continental
movement will carry him in the progress of democracy.
" The Church," says M. Lucquett, speaking by the in-
spiration of his Holiness, " always consistent with itself
in that which is essential to her—the church will accept
the social transformation of the age. I will say more—it
will not only accept it, but, faithful to its mission to pro-
mote progress in the life of nations, it will second and as-
sist that transformation." Bravo ! Since transformation
is in vogue, " motley's your only wear." That's the way.
Go with the tide always, and you will seem to lead to it.
In more than one sense, the Romish system is one of
accommodation. We all see, in the course of our obser-
vations of its effects in private life, how it can " second
and assist," while it pretends to control the human pas-
sions. Its great moral force consists in the indulgence
which it extends to vice, at the same time that it promises
indemnity from its penal consequences. As long as flesh
is flesh, and men love to pass through life " upon the
primrose path," undisturbed by uneasy qualms and gloomy
prospects, the dominion of Rome will last ; for, until the
nations become.atheist, there will always be a majority to
wish that her reign may endure;. and to will in such a
case is to do. She may be shifted, indeed, from her seat
on the Seven Hills • but her empire is too firmly rooted
in the fears and the corruption of human nature, to be
overthrown by any other force than the universal triumph
and:ascendency of truth.
In the meantime, therefore, Rome will hold her own;
and of her suppleness and good will to conform to any
circumstances, in order to retain it, the communication
of the Holy Father, to the Swiss Cantons, affords almost
a ludicrous illustration

" Be assured (continues M. Lncquett) that the church, cer-
tain of the perpetuity of its destiny, fixes mot its hopes exclu-
sively on any human institution. It has long accepted with
gratitude the favours of the powers of the earth ; it does so
still, where that temporary support is afforded to it. Nor will
it refuse, ,when the moment shall arrive, to acknowledge the
great principle of a complete separation between it and the
State."

What a Peel of a Pope we have here 1
"Si fractus illabatur orbis
Impavidum ferient ruins:."

Nothing shall disturb his equanimity while he remains
" certain of the perpetuity of his destiny." The whole
world may go to pieces ; kings, queens, and states may
shift for themselves; tyrants may lord it over the free
spirits of mankind, or the rabble, may trample upon all
law and order—'tis all the same. The church has a right
hand of fellowship and a blessing for them all. "It has
long since done so (says the lucky oracle) in young Ame-
rica, and will do it again, perhaps to-morrow, inone orother
of those countries, where the people so gloriously strug-
gle to conquer their independence."
Shoals of Jesuits have cleared out, it seems, for Hong-
Kong.and Cochin China, where, if they undergo a " social
tranformation" into Bonzes, in the cause of the church,
they will be only moving along with " the progress," and
fulfilling their mission.