Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-07-22

FREF-T TRADE AND RS CONSEQUENCES


pr1Neiiye and couniersalling duties. For
SINE sven years that experiment has
been gong on, each year approximaiing
rnpse and more nearly TO the ideal stand.
ard OF perfection az set up by the adyo-
oates Of free trade.
Une would suppose that limo enough
had elapsed to test the new policy--to
show something OF its results--to enable
honest minded people to arrive at some
ds6niie opinion thereon. Have VIC been
bettered by in Has the intermediate pc.
Rod been one Of prosperity, or Of success
slye embarrassment Cur readers can
Judge ofthese things and answer for them
selves. One fact, however, we cannot
avoid mentioning. Seven years ago we
had an abundant treasury; it was mat.
ter Of some concern TO know how we
should dispose Of so much public money.
AT present the inquiry is how shall we OBJ.
tain money to pay the necessary expendl-
lures Of the Government. The treasury 10
empty and worse than empty it is some
ten or twelve millions in debt. For some
years the use OF the national credit has
been resorted to, and Treasury notes have
anticipated supplies which the sources OF
the public revenue have not furnished.
The public defences along the sea board
are in need Of repairs new Notifications
are necessary in many places; the navy
is languishIng; millions in fact are now
required to place the country in tolera.
bic state Of security against foreign ag.
gresson. Millions are wanted and the
nation has not a cent.
We have undertaken the experiment of
free trade at time when other ma
tons are rightly adhering to their old sys-
tens, each sedulousy striving to advance
It's own interests. We talk of free trade
Just as though the term trade did not
imply two parties in the transaction or
Ms though trade could be freeSwhen not Ie-
ciprocai. The phrase is an abuse Of
words; and under the circumstances of
the case it implies an absurdiiy. We may
open our ports indeed to the products Of
oher na,ions-but can the trade be free
when they persist in loading ours with re.
s,rictionsl
i}u, let US return to the effects of our
present policy upon the country. The
Al lress Of the American Institute, which
sort of general comparison between
France and the United States, the result
of which is to this effect. France has n
population Of 36 millions; that OF the Unit
ed States is lS millions. We are then to
France numerically as l TO 2. In point
of capital, in lands, both for extent and
fertility, in buildings, animals, roads ca
nails, rail roads, ships, steamboats,, mine.
rails, iron, lead, and the leading constitu-
ents Of wealth, we are at least in the same
ratio. In point OF moral, intellectual and
physical capabilities, we shall not be ac-
cused Of osten,a,ion if we claim to be the
equals OF the French in the same ratio Of
numbers. lf in the higher branches Of
of science and art we are below them, yet
in the mass Of knowledge difl'usod, and
applicable to the attainment of wealth, we
are above them. OF the precious metals,
jewels, and capital in similar forms, us also
in military arrangements, France is great
ly our superior: but these while they are
retained, add nothing to her ability to ac-
qure wealth or to meet expenditures
What then is the condition of France
What is her debt? What the amount of
her civil servicel What OF her armies
and naviesl The debt of France is one
thousand millions Of dollars; her annual
expenditures 900 millions; her army
1000 men; her navy $50 ships and 25,.
600 men, with all munitions of war. Yet
Notwithstanding ali this vast expenditure,
France is improving her condition daily,
and has improved It to a great extent
since 1915, when she was overrur by the
Allied Armies, her capital in the hands OF
her enemies and her treasury exhausted.
What is our condition after twenty-five
years of peace7 Is our army 250,0C0
men, Is our navy equal to half that of
France Is our revenue 100 millions OF
dollarsl Although our public debts are
not five hundred milious--the proportion
OF our population to that of France-are
our public public stocks, though at near
~ double the interest of those of France,
accredited even in our own markets, or
have we an equivalent for these expendl-
lures in any other or a better form If
unable to employ 250, 600 men as soldiers,
can We employ them in constructing CO.
nails and rail roads The contrast is
painful in the extreme, and will impress
itself Strongly upon US, if we bear in mind
that our population is half that Of France
and in twenty five years will be equal.
From what cause does this contrast arlsel
Whence are derived the pay, subsistence,
clothing and arms Of this half million Of
s1lders. these naval munitions, the pay
her civil service and innumerablc police,
the gorgeous display Of the court and no.
bli!yl Could we with our present policy
sustain a 1.-THE of such expenditures p
Where shall we find the equivalent for
thisl In our bankrupt merchants--our
broken down currency-our laborers
asking in vain for employment our
States sacrificing their bonds in market at
40 per cent. discount? Are we less in
tellgent, less energetic2 Is it the fault
OF our political institutions that we are
thusl There must be radical difference
in the policy Of the two nations to produce
such differences in their capabilities. That
difference is found in their foreign CONNER
eiai code. This is the only important diff.
ference in the policy Of the two nations,
and it is adequate to the result. The in