The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-12-19
THE OTTAWA FREE TRADER.


of the other beyond their proportion, an
would be manileslly unjust.
The terms, "pro,eclion 10 American In
dusry,' are of popular import; but they
should apply under i just system to all the
various branches OF industry IN our c3un-
Try. The farmer or planter who tolls
yearly in his fields. is engaged in ''do-
nestle industry and Is lis much entitled
to have his labor protected" as tie man
uilcmrar. the man OF commerce, the navI-
gator or the mechanic, who are engaged al-
50 in domestic industry" in their differ
ent pursuits. The joint Iabors of all these
constitute the aggregate Of the domestic
industry" of the nation, and they are equal
" entitled to 4 nations projection
No one Of them can justly claim to be
the exclusive recipients OF projection,
which can only he allowed by increasing
burdens ON the domestic industry OF the
others.
II these views he correct. i, remains to
enquire how long the tariff act of 1872 Is
consistent with them. That many Of the
provisions OF that act are in violation to the
cardinal principles here hid down, all must
coaceJt. The rates of duty imposed by 1t
on some articles are prohibilory, and on
others 50 high IS greatly to diminish I'M
importation, and to produce a less amount
q. revenue than would he derived from
lower rates. They operate as "p.olccion
merely" to one branch of domestic in
dUstry,' By taxing other branches.
by the introduction OF mjnugms. or rs
sumed and false values, and hy the import
alton OF specific duties, the injustice and
inequality Of the act of 1872, IN its prac,l-
cal operations on different classes aud pur-
suits, are seen and felt, Many Of the OPP
pressiye duties imposed by it under the op-
eTailons Of these principles, range from one
per cent to more than two hundred percent.
They are prohibltory on some articles, and
partially 50 on others, and bear most hea-
Willy on articles Of luxury. 1t is so framed
that much the creates; burden which i, I'M
poses is thrown on labor and the poorer
classes who are leas, able to bear it. while
It protects capital and exemp,s the rich
from paying their just proportion of the
taxation required for The support Of govern
ment
While it protects the capital Of the veal
thy manufacturer, and increases his profits,
it does not beneh, tie operatives or hborcrs
in his employment, whose WAGES have no.
been increased by it. Articles ofprme ne
ccssliy or OF coarse quality and low price,
used by the masses of tine people. are, in
many instances. subjected by 1t to heavy
taxes, while articles Of finer quality aud
higher price, or of luxury, which can be
used by the opuleni, are highly taxed. Il
imposes heavy and unjust burdens on the
farmer, the planter, the commercial man,
and those Of all other pursuits except the
capitalist VINO has made his investments in
manufactures. All the great interests otthe
country are not, IS nearly as may be p.ac.
licahIe, equally protected by II.
The men.in theory knows no dis
uncuon OF persons or classes, and should
not bes'ow upon some iayors and privileges
which all others may not enjoy. 1t was
the purpose OF lis i.lus,rIous founders to
base the institutions winch they reared up.
on the great and unrhanging principles Of
justice aud equity, conscious thaiIi admin
Isiered IN the spirit III which they were
conceived they would be felt only by the
benefits which they di.l1sed, and would Sc.
cure for themeIges defence in the hearts OF
the people, more powerful than standing
armies, and all the means and appliances
invented to sustain government founded in
injustice and oppression.
The well known fact that the tariff act Of
1872 was passed by majority of one vote
IN the Senate and two in the House of Re-
personalities, and that some Of those who
icIi themselves constrained, under the pccu-
liar circumstances existing at the time, to
vote IN lis favor, proclaimed lis defects. and
EXPRESSED their determination 10 aid in its
modification on the lrst opportunity, al-
ford strong and conclusive evidence that it
was not intended to be permanent, and OF
the eXpediency and necessity of lis tho
rough revision.
In recommending to Congress reduc-
ton OF the present rates Of duty, and 4
revision and modification Of the act of 1912
am lar from entertaining opinions unfriend.
y to the manufacturers. On the contra