Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-01
FREE TRADE IN FRANCE.

Address Of the Mayor of Bordeaux, in which ne
ayowed the boldest and most conmon-sense views
Of Free Trade. The Great Western bring. ad-
di,iona evidence, lha, The cause of freedom Of
commerce is prosressngin France. The journal
des Debats, the Government paper, has just taken
the lead as an advocate of free trade. When
prominent and influential persons in France thus
throw themselves into the arena, The good work
OF cutting down the exclusive profits OF the 'pro-
tected," for the purpose Of diifusins commercial
advantages among The whole people, must sue
coed.
Is itnot strange that when England and France
are just about to strike of the fet:ers OF COM
mercc and give fair play 10 all classes the Ia
riffiiss in this country should be making unusual
eYertions 10 keep up a system, which has been
condemned by the country and which is produc-
tive of manifest Partially and injustice. u.
any other occasion we would delight 10 see Anne
Ican industry collecting together its fruits Tor
the inspection OF The nationi but when we see
that the papable design OF the mammoth Tarff
Fair in Washington is 10 seduce the members Of
Congress from their duty TO their constituents, IN
10 a bes.owal Of further favors upon class that
already boasts of its ability TO compete abroad with
foreign manufactures we cannot but regret SO
vain and unnecessary a parade And, then, The Fam
is to wind up with ball. al whlca 1t ladies' areex-
pected 10 appear in dresses OF domestic manutac-
,ure. for this occasion alone. We doubt not II
will be very pleasant frolc-Much money VIII
be expended for the benefit otthe railroads. steam
boats, and the good people OF Washington we
canno, object 10 the protected manufacturers
thus circulating their rich profits in The channels
of busness-bu,, at the same lime, we cannot
avoid the impression, that The whole parade is
very similar TO the occular demonstrations in
some Of the recent political campaigns, and in
tended TO throw dust in the eyes ofthc people. II
the members Of Congress, acting on their high
responsibilities 10 the country think 1t best 10 let
the Tariff remain as it is, they have right TO
do so; but we are satisfied that this attempt 10
influence their votes will be regarded BY them in
diferentlight; and produce any effect al all,
il will operate against the protective duties OF
the Tariff of AZ But 10 the Free Trade article
Of the Journal des pebas:
at has been said a thousand times 70 the
friends Of The protective system, without their be-
ing able to reply, that these prohibitions, these
exhorbitant duties, render every situation false
one, and eventually turn against the very per-
sons they were meant 10 protect. Let US take,
for example, the thread and linen manufacturers.
England had operated change in her manulac-
tories where work is done on an immense scale.
II was necessary for US 10 meet it.
"The great difficulty TO be overcome is, that
machinery is 50 expensive. And what has been
donr2 Al the moment when England allows the
free expectation OF this machinery, instead Of
throwing open our ports 10 them which would
have been followed by the establishing OF hume
rous sLinneres, the duty on machinery which
was already high enough has been raised 10 the
highest pitch This is the encouragement, given
10 national Industry, II must be avowed that
this measure is one OF those which the orators Of
the League made use of 10 prove 10 their audo-
~ the inconsequencs and the evil results of the
protective system.
@Owing TO the present movement IN England,
aud the favor il meets with, the ancient prohibit
tive system in France, as elsewhere, will be sha-
ken. and custom house duties will be reduced,
and the formidable amount OF duties paid to 10
reigners will lose its power and its effect twill
be generally understood that commercial trans
actions are for individuals. Some Governments
are already following The example given by Grea,
Britain.
"Arbitrary prohibitions will be efaced from
the code of nations. from ours at least! where they
are so numerous. It will be admitted that foreign
competition is saiatary as tending 10 Gdranee tat
pvfeeting of industry There are interests 10 be
affected in England as well as in France; ahc
vet there they bow TO evidence, and 10 the com
mands of the general welfare. Absolute CONNER
cial freedom, like eternal peace, is an utopia, We
do not deny ii; but an utopia which we must strive
10 approach, as near as possible, and which j
we cannot reach. each day al least ought to bring
US step nearer"