New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-05-01
From the Merchants Magazine for May
REMARKS ON FREE TDADE.'
Ely II. GREELEY.
[In reply to M. arnold,. E..av IN our -

whom am Embodying, as d-c all the plausible but
often deluvc c.nmonpaces BY which the interest Of British
manufacturers have hitherto been sustained country
the expense of the welfare Of American farmers an
sans would be difficult touch every point which eb
seyvation is desirable without extending this article
unacceptable length E.cad Of answering in detail
therefore, shall endeavor TO grapple with its principles, and
show wherein they variance with the true interests of
the country.
The writer wholly MISTAKES and probably misconceives
ke principles and sf the advocates of the protective
policy. To prevent of this misrepresentation,
let briefly forth the grounds which VIC stand
/. We who advocate protection maintain, that many
branch of industry for which the country admirably adapt
cd yet its infancy and in the asencc of information
experience with regarS and OF proper implements
and facilities for prosecution afford Inadequate reward
of itself those who engage exposed uncqua!
competition with the longcstablshed vastly productive and
prosperous rival interests of older countries We hold that
in such cases, the often confer vast ben
eff the whole nation by extending the struggling infant
its fostering protecting aid by Of discriminating
duty the importation of the foreign article. We insist
that though such the to the domestic consumer
NAV for short be enhanced yet will very soon be
duced below the price which had hitherto been afforded
and thus positive III tbs narowest view OF the
question, be effected.
Need illustrate this general proposition VINO, that I'M
dcs,and the origin of the silk culture in France-ong since
the discovery of Amercaand its growth under tho foster
ng influence of high protecting duties, until II needs
them longer ask for demonstration Nay, the origin
the culture this country is substantially and that
of the cotton manufacture is directly in point Each
improbable the outset and only sustained by ducs on the
foreign competitor the still stringent protection of
cmkargocs and war Yet, now both culture and manuac-
tre may safely defy the world compete with them on per
fectY equal crmsakng into account the relative cost OF
labor in this and other countries.
l. the application of this principle exhausted Gy no
means firmly believe it might well be applied to the
culture and manufacture of silk to those OF cotton
forty ago. and that discriminating duty ON imported
silk sufficient induce people ~ c>asark with energy
in the home productions would diminish the actual cost of
the silks worn in this country within ten years Do
recorded facts justify this expectation But
H. We contend that the high nvdious protecting duties
of dc nations with which principally trade and of nearly
ae countries of the civilized world absolutely constrnn
lis 80 take of producing interests We assert
that waving question of tho policy of protecting duties
pcr se in tie actual condition of things and in view of the
legislation and policy of other nations must stand by our
own producers or permit them be tramped under the
ruthless feet of British and French interests
Let us illustrate this point. We now take some thirty
millions worth per of the silks. wines, and H2irits OF
France very low o duty She takes in return our
cotton at low rate because she do her
uacurcs By exposing disadvanageous competition
with those of other nations but nearly all our staples are
taxed cxobtantv entering her ports tobacco about
THOUSAND per cent and other American products so
high as tc torm virtual prohibition The effect OF this need
be stated
So in our intercourse with Great Britain That country
kind enough send shpoads OF trcaiSes and reports
showing the incompatible excellence and policy OF free
cent on their cost while hers twenty The inevitable
consequence is continual and Increasing Indebtedness on
our part and naughty commercial asccndancy on hers Our
merchants and banks often stand her mercy turn OF the
screw in the Bank of England bowls them all down IN
trce and fills the whole land with disaster. The price
which great staples shall bear and the event to wn-
internal improvements shall be prosecuted are kindly
settled for us in London Now, well aware that other
Influences enter into and modify this of things but the
fundamental evil consists in buying OF our stcpmo-
,cr than sell her. under the operation OF her higher
rates of duty.
question am now discussing, cooboates these statements
entirely Hc is considering the poverty misery. and decline
of India and tracing their causes The primary and great
est he unhcstangy declares be the discriminating duties
sf England bv which country her trade mainly monopc-
lied Tie saws that the average mposi British goods
sold in India is fire per the productions OF India
exported to England. nearly quite one hundred per ceH
Under the operation OF this nonsrou Inequality India Is
drained of her specie and impoverished day by day. No
country he llun;ly bat tith obvious truth observes, could
withstand the runous influences of such disparity But
the simple had no knowledge OF our American tree
trade theorists They would have told him, that poor de-
pressed India had only receive the products OF other ma
,on. free of duty and let her products take care OF
,hrp,scycs and all would go wimmingly with her Alas
ot og could not feed the hungry ard clohc the naked =
what an excellent thing it would be-
will try TO bring this home the understanding
or my opgoncnt If the secopaccrcy with which he re-
tails The dcta of Mr. Cony Racquet Will permit HIM to be-
eye that projections; viii ac The case OF
two islands which, isolated from the OF the world have
been accustomed TO trade largely with each ether One OF
them produces grain in great abundance the other mas q
soil primarily adapted grazing, and It's surplus products
arr, cattle and huter. But the former for reasons OF It's
own. imposes duty of fifty per all imports and
now catc can be reared her soil much cheaper than tAe
cor be imported She takes from abroad Bat the
o,asnr isle unliccding the change in her ncghbor :
pslcv or profoundly enamorcd of that system OF political
economy which assumes the designation, free trade sui
buys her grain where she buy chcapeS'hnt Is abroad
r,Sultl
II, , sncc and other movablc of the free trade settle
me,. viii be di.ed aDay pay the constantly increasing
balance Of trade in of its protecting rival!
Well says Free Frade, " tins viii regulate !tseli IN
rho cpd Yes truly, when the whole generation OF traders
~ roser. in the devoted island shall have been swept
down by the disastrous r:vsion and two thirds OF their
property has gone to pay part of their debts IN the pro
tectnc isle and the other third to satisfy law
IL a.