The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-08-06
TEN which most increases our wealth and popula-
ton. That system is evidently one of, revenue

TEN which most increases our wealth and popula-
ton. That system is evidently one of, revenue
duties.
This argument. il i, ever was true. is manifest
Iy absurd now. have shawn bv tn. census re-
turns, that the value of our manufactures i'm 1910
was more than nine times that Of The dntiahle
articles imported. Every thing serves la prove
"o. That nj this lime our manufacturing interest
Is entering into compeiion for the markets nC rhe
world. A state ofihings which precludps the itea
ina. inr'her protection can he necessary Ia serure
us from a state os dependence for necessary sup
pies. Bnt experience has shown that all this
fear is delnsive. Dependence between natiuns in
matters OF trade IS mutual. and is a cunservatur
"i peace rather than q source of relative superiori.
y IN war. Nor has II ever been shown that even
IN a state oi war natuns might not command even
f"reign commodities. If they had the means Il,
pay for them. The largest importation of wheat
into Great Britain from 1900 to 1929. with one
exception. and The very largest in proportion to
MS population. was in 1910; and Porter well re-
marks IN commenting uppn this fact, that a
large proportion of the foreign grain at that time
brought for consumption IN this country (Great
BH'aIn.) was the produce of the soil ofonr bitterest
enemy and it surely would he IN efficient for us to
call To mind this fact, coupled with the remem-
brance of the deadly character then assumed by
The contest between France and England. to he
convinced that So long as we possess the means
"t paying tT the fond which other countries can
spare we never shall be without an adequate sup
ply of the necesssries uf life" (Porter's Pro-
gress. mi. /, p. l59) Much stress has been
laid in this country since 1924. upon the want of
O,OOO dollars worth of blankets in the last war
with Great Briiain-a want which, in a great
measure proceeded from emba rgnes and non inter
course laws. But in reply To this IT was very
perfinently asked by the committee of the free.
trade convention in 1882. "ifa nation which at
that time was engaged in the manufacture uf
woollens 10 the extent of at least DO, 600. 600 dol
lars in value could he PM in ienpar dy by the want
Of 1000 or 5000 blankets 2" (Expnsi,ion of
Evidence. M. II, p. 2O.) But, Mr.. Chairman,
This mutual dependence between nations for trade.
so Tar from being an injury to any one, is a com
mon benefit 10 all. The dependence Of f,reign
nations np"n us for cotton is worth. perhap s, more
10 us as a protection against foreign hostility than
me amount of our exports of that article would
he To us if expended in fleets and armies. As
nations grow in wisdom aud in wealth. il is this
very mutual dependence for trade which is To prove
me great conServatnr of the peace of the world
In looking hack 10 the operation Of the restrictive
principles, which 10 a great extent have governed
the commercial pulley of the world, what a pic
tire do we see! A sacrifice of individual liberty
In The discipline deemed necessary Ia increase the
offensive power of the social machine, an Isolation
hrt"een nations, n waste Of The means of growth
IN deadly effnrts At mnlpal injury, and dumestic
'e"nS when are never quiet except under the APP
prehens'"n or the existence Of foreign war. With
now much pleasure shonld the phIlanthropist and
the Statesman turn from this revnliing picture to
The glorious promise of the doctrines Of the free
trade school! If there be one hone for the pro-
gress OF the human race which is brighter than all
others. so tar as the action of Government is con-
cerned. 1t rests upon the contamination of these
principles. 1t Is thus that We may must enlarge
me liberty OF individual aclion by simplifying and
diminishing Inc necessary operations of Govern
Inent. 1t is thus that we may best cultivate a
spirit of peace and good will amongst men. bv
Teaching them that the interest of all is connected
win the prosperity of each. 1t is Tins, too, that
we may place man in the fullest possession of the
means %! pertecting his nature. BY affurdinr a free
interchange OF thought and opinion, and all the
dement's "f a enrDnon and kindly intercourse be-
tween the nations of the earth. Our application
I'll 'he i~rderatIve principle has done more to I'M
prove The science Of Government than any even,
of modern times.
IL has enlarged the capacity for uDion anongs,
men. and through it we have sulyed the most
wonderful of problems in discovering the means
OF increasing social strength without diminishing
individual liberty. The free trade poiicy. be-
tween lis members AT least. is a necessary element
IN lis existence. 1t is through this policy lha,
'he fPderaiive system Increases its capacity to
c"hPrehend more people and interests under The
same social bonds. II IS, perha ps. not venlurino
loo much TO say that they must 90 together. lis
not Tor me To undertake Ia measure the extent of
'''S JOINT influence upon human affairs But none
ran douht as To It's nature. The mighty impulse
which it must give to civilization. general u,os.
prrlty, and the growth Of peaceful rela,ions
amongst men cannot fail 10 strike every refectino
'n'ho. Mutual interest must thus spring up be-
tween nations which depend upon peace for their
existence and a klDdlier spirit will be cherished
mol merely by lie interests. but the affections.
which arise from a free and familiar intercourse.
NAT tnese Twin sisters Of reiOrm-these two
great systems OF social UnIon-wuuld continue to
advance, ! have never permitted myself 80 doubt.
The laws of nature, and the imurovemepis in tho
ar's' are all mlnlsteriDg Ia their progress. With
nu' ltetn, man lOses the full use of these wonder
fUI discoveries IN The Transmission Of thought and
Tie facilities Of intercourse which have added so
much 10 his physical and Intellectual power. and
which have already taken him beyond the boun-
oaIIes which centuries seemed 10 have established
as the limit To human achievement. The whole
course Of modern discovery. whether in oo,o,n
ment or IN the arts, seems to have tended ,,,yo,Js
a cioSer and kindller intercourse amonc men. and
an increase not only Of social pow er, but Of indi.
Vidual liberty.
Hali a century of free trade with the facilities
Tor intercourse already within onr reach. wunld
probably make ii more difficult Io disturb te
peace OF The world Than IL has hitherto been tn
preserve il. The arts Of civilization would 6r,b.
ably effect more revolutions in human affairs than
force has ever achieved by arms. The yves of
southern and western Europe are no lpnuer tntned
TO The passes OF the Caucasus for the mighty tide
~ change and war which was iD plant stranoe
races within their borders, and lnlrse new eLe-
nents into their existence. The dav far armed
migrations. for forced admixiures Of races. far
those marriages OF the Roman and the Sabine are
over ne ude OF change SETS from western to
eastern IN HN