The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-10-15
JACOB BRINKERHoFF.
Mansfield, Sept. 10, 1916.
Frsm the Washington Unldn.
FREE TRADE IN FRANCE.

ilN lehANOh.
The recent visit to Paris ofthc great leader
in the cause ofcommsrcal reform, Mr.. Cob
den, has given occasion for stronger oxpres-
sion in that capital Than we have bofJre seen
OF public sentiment III favor Of liberal Com
mercial policy. He had the homer of dining
with the king Of the French. Mr.. Golden
was invited 10 public dinner by the Associ-
alton Of Economists. Tho Duke of Har-
court presided. Around lin we're grouped
members OF both the French chambers, em-
inent merchants, an distinguished men of
letters. Several Of the Partisan journal,
were represented a! tho table, and, among
others, the Journal des Dsbats by Al. Chew
alier, now professor of political economy in
the Royal College ofFrance. Mr.. Cobden's
speech upon the occasion was worthy ofhiy
great reputation, and was received with loud
and long continued applause. We translate
from the French journals few extracts:
Declining for myself therefore," says
Mr.. Golden, "any exclusive merit in the
great work which has been accomplished, al.
low me to congratulate you on the impor-
aace of our victory. Freedom of trade is
one article more added to the great charter
of human liberty. tits new signal erected
on the path ofiha nations 10 show the prog
ress of civilization in the nineteenth century
We had already achieved freedom Of speech,
and freedom Of the press; and now we uro in
the enjoyment of freedom of industry. lam
free to say that cauld never consider N.Y.
self as the citizen of a couatry wholly free,
so long as monopoly--that last stigma Of
sorvtude, was sugered to deprive my coun-
trymcn Of the justreeompanso OF their labor
and their skill" ss>
After reviewing and refMing, with admir-
able pth and condensation, the various soph-
is,res resortcd TO by the restrictlonis.s in
England, Mr.. Golden thus alludes to the
last argument upon which the defeated party
in England ventured 10 rally. We give his
remarks briefly, because we think that we
can remember 10 have heard just the same
argument urged not very long ago by the
same party of restrictionists in this country;
"Some of the proteclionists," says Mr.
Golden, "indeed the ahlest of them, utterly
at fault to defend their positions by any reas.
onings based on fact, have sought to take rof.
uge in contempt of all theory awe agree
with you," they said, 'n principle; we admit
that theoretically, you free-trade men are in
the right Oar reply was, 'we are not fight
ing shadows, but we are contending with
numerous body Of Hash-and-blood ..onoPv-
lists, whose exactions are. altogether too real
and palpable, snd we put it to yourselves TO
lcll us whether you will maintain that the
eight commandment is only theory and
an absiraction?' Oh, Of all others give mo
man for an oppeneut who will grant that
am right in theory We knew we'll thai we
had settled the matter with the protcciionists,
from The instant when we brought them to
acknowledge the justice our principles in
theoy!"
We comend these pithy sentences of The
great free trade leader to those American
doctors in political economy who ayowedly,
lin the face ofall theory, would make anoth-
er desperate rally for the tariff of 1912.
In commenting upon-the reception Of Mr.,
Golden at Paris, the principal PaIisian journ-
ais have taken'occasion TO define their own
positions onths subject of free trade. The
organ Of the present ministry--lhe Des De-
bais--led the way. saSomwhN unexpectedly,
al least 10 us, that Influential journal gives
in It's full adhesion in principle and in prac-
tics, 10 the doctrines Of free trade. Thss
manifestation Of French opinion at ence
significant and important. The .Debais rea-.
sons with great force in favor of IFS new posi-
ton. Ii shows that Liberal commercial
policy involves in itself "the holy and noble
cause Of universal peace" II urges that
q d..nn nc frada IL the means ihrniinh mh;.L