Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-03-10
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, VA.
.e..-Iax Morning. March Z. 1916.

I, ;s no; TO be denied that the large manuiaclu
rsrs Of The North are raying in opposition TO the
least modification Of The Tariff OF 1912. BY
strange inconsistency they argue mat 'hey can
contend with British manufacturers IN iofe'sn
norris even under an import duty OF l0 per GEN.;
ye, al the same ,ime they raise the cry OF rum
from the competition Of British fabrics IN onr own
markets, though those fabrics are shackied by The
nronosed duties of 20 10 IS per cent, which, with
The costs Of insurance and importation, run up
The protection a, home TO so or IS per cent. 40
other words, our wealthy manufacturers can IN
aersel The British abroad at disadvantage, whhe
with all The advantages OF domestic "Pro'ec'ion'
hoy cannot withstand the same competition al
home. This strange argument may be perfectly
clear and lucid to the Tarifl-men, vino contend
that "hish duties make low prices"-we confess
that i, is no, ineligible 10 ''onr philosophy nor,
We are satisfied, to the common-sense, malter-oi-
fact views of the people.
The attempt to force such delusive statements
upon the nation has reacted upon the actors
Since The bright CLEAN of light shed upon THIS
suhiec. by the recent movement in England, we
have no doubt tia, the eyes OF many political
friends OF Tariff monopoly have been opened
TO The truth They cannot fail 10 see that lhe
opening Of the British ports 10 our immense sur
plus OF wheat corn, beet, pork, &c, will prove Oh
vastly more importance than The much talked oil
iihome market"-or, in other words, that larger
market offers much better means iremuneratns
the producers than The limited market OF The ma
nufacturers. To the great agricultural class, up
on which every other truly depends, them II Is
matter OF vital Importance, that the ant-reslric-
i've system should prevail in England IL IS tne
true policy Of our Government TO do all in It's
mower 10 facilitate the movement. II we meet
England halfway, and strike down the unrea-
sonable restrictions upon our commercial ln'e'-
course il will be fresh encouragement 10 Eng
land TO carry out perfection her wise and oene-
icent plan Of Free Trade.
We cannot believe that Congress will pursue
ouch suicidal course as 10 adhere 10 The present
unius, Tariff law, when the agricultural and
commercial classes imperatively demand re-
Taxation OF The restrictive system. 10 throw open
10 us the markets OF The world.
The following passages in The money article Of
the New York Commercial Advertiser, Whl50
express some sound views. They show that
r,dnc,ion of the duties will not PROSTATE The
manufacturers, but will greatly benefit The pro-
d,cing class. Admit that the protective sys.cf:
has given 10 the manufacturers their present po-
si,ion is il not clear thai they are strong enough,
by the enjoyment Of legislative lavors, and that
he o.her interests OF the country should al least
be allowed fair play?
at is uudeniable that the doctrines OF free trade
are gaining ground both in this country and IN
Europe. The concessions iiace ny Sir RobeF'
Peel in the notifications Of The English tariff, Two
or three years since, were IN reality because .hese
views were gaining ground, although the arowed
object was TO increase The revenue The reduc-
lion at that time was principally though not en-
tirely confined 10 articles oil consumption, or those
ussi in manufactures. with the intention 81 en-
ahiins their artizans 10 compete more successful
40 ;n our markets with those Q. foreign countries.
The nrouositions now before Parliament 60 much
further; while admitting materials used IN manu-
:ac,ure free, ihey provide ior The admission OF inc
manufactured article al low rate 81 duty, 50 lnat
while the manufactured is put upon iavcraNG
ground in regard 10 the cosi OF The law MATERIAL he
mas only triAing protection afforded aSa'ns' ne
mannfacture OF other countries. He ucs; evidently
rely upon his own superior skill and industry t.
enable him TO keep possession OF the domestic
market. We are by no means certain that The
c,amorers for free trade may not have 60; IN SI
II. Peels bill something more than they desired
ain asking for the repeal Of The corn laws we
doubt if they designed 10 remove along with me
protection Of the asrcuturisi, that Of the inann-
tac,urers. The movement is one OF great lmpor- |
lance to This country and will doubtless increase
largely our export trade. We do not question
that in many articles OF our own manufacture
we can now compete successfully with those Of
Europe and these interests will not therefore sui
fer BY any modification Of The Tariff; but we DO
doubt whether the position which our manuiac-
lures now occupy would have been obtained eX-
cept under the protection af1rdcd by The success
sive enactments Of the tariff"