Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-01-28
@&ai.ll 55O
FRIDAY MORNING JANUARY %, 1912.
A PROTECTIVE TARIFF.

we arc i'lIly satiStled that tniS IS 10 De |
the paramount political question on which
the two great parties Of the country will be
compelled to take side, at an early day, and
perhaps at the next general canvass. And
under this conviction, we call upon the Wing
press Of this state TO buckle on their armor
and prepare for the contest. The issue was
fairly presented by Mr.. HuDsoN of Massa-
chusetts, in his late admirable speech in the
lower House of Congress. In answer TO
the assertion of RheH of South Carolina,
that the Protective system imposed tax
upon Southern Labor for the benefit of
Northern Capital, Mr.. HUDsoN showed con-
clusvely, by series of facts which none
can deny, that the true issue was between
the Lab0rcrs of the North and Southern
Capitalists. And yet notwithstanding these
are the true parties to the controversy, our
readers will recollect, that in the late Tariff
contest in the House of Representatives,
theTory members from every free State with
only three exceptions, voted with Southern
Capitalists, against Northern Labor. But
we are not particularly anxious, at the pre-
sent time, to enter into long discussion of
the protective system, although we are thor
oughly convinced that the whole North will
soon be compelled to embark in the dis
cussion.
Looking back from the present gloomy
condition of affairs, to that bright period
when the National Debt was made to vanish
before the general prosperity of the country,
"A natural enquiry is, "What has produced
the change ~ And it is just as natural that
those who look to public events for the causes
IS f..Li:- = :iS, si.."ij .v"nr.t Win SO great
IA change of circumstances, the great reduce
ton of duties on imported merchandise.
The true theory of the protective policy
was shown fully between the years 1924 and
1928; and its practical operation was exhi-
bicd by results from 1928 to 1884. These
results we're seen in the success of the far
mer and manufacturer, the general advance
Of National prosperity, the rapid dminu,ion
Of our National debt, its final extinguish-
ment, an overlooking Treasury, and dis
tribu,ion of the surplus to the States.
But along with tho dlminution of protec-
tive duties, a change has come over the
smiling face Of our country. We do not
say that all the evils we now endure can be
traced to the passage Of the compromise
act, still less would VIC reproach the projec-
tors of that measure with the present suffer-
ing condition Of our country. They were
called upon 10 act in sudden emergency
a crisis; and we checriuly accord to then,
purity of motive, honesty Of purpose, and d
lofty patriotism. But we must say that
while the reduction Of discriminating du.
ties undoubtedly contributed largely &c
restore harmony between the different sec.
tons Of the country, it has also aided almos
every other cause to bring about the presen
disastrous state of public affairs.
We repeat again that we do not intend a
the prescn, time to 60 at length into dis
cussion Of the Tariff question. We know
the great mass of the Tory party are cnam
orcd of the Southern doctrine of I" FREE
raae." 1t is a beautiful doctrine in theory
but no nation will, which we have Commercial
! intercourse, is willing to carry it into practi
cal operation. They are quite ready II
supply us, to surfeting, with the product o
their pauper labor, and are even so liberal IA
to consent to receive from us, free of duty
one of the great staples of the South, whlc
enters most into the formation of the fabri
with which they supply us. That is, if W
= will take Of them pound Of fine muslin
f., valued at sir or seren dollars, they will TAX
II of US, duty free, pound Of cotton whic
: they cannot raise and must have, valued a
; ten cents. The whea, and -four, pork an
bacon, which also enter into the fabric, as
part Of the support Of the operative, en-
braccd in his wages, they will not allow Il
to supply, because they can furnish thes
articles at about double what they woul
a a cost from this country. Well and truly ir
e deed did Mr.. Robertson say, on the floor (
j. the British House Of Commons -
= IN ,ras idle for us TO sndearor to persuade 9th
nations 10 join tcih us in adopting The principles
e lchaf ras called Free Trade. Other nations knt
as ireH as The noble Lord opposite and those lr'
acted NTH him, that rhdt IRE meant by Free Ira
tras nothing nor less than, by means Of The gre
advantages IRE enjoyed, TO get monopoly Of all The
markets for our manu- lectures and 10 prerent the
is one and all, from erer becoming manVacturi'
TX nations"
:. This is fair exposition Of the Engli
re doctrine of Free Trade" And this is 4
ut beautiful theory which the Tories of Il
gu country are SO anxious to carry into prac,ie
II. operation. 1t was to realize this idea III
he Rhen and Pickens OF South Carolina
u, nounced the committee on Manufactures
Nv unconstitutional, and that the Northern T
" ries, led on by the magnanimOus Alberto
'' Joined them in their vain efforts 20 ahoii
"a, il, We ash the calm and dispas.ionat0