The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-09

|
pared with high duties, OF domestic exports exclusive OF
specie of $3.50 2oa69s per annum and excluding atosel
the last yea w ah S 81 per annu ous
Having thus shown, both as to specie and domestic ex-
ports, the great gam in years oil low compared wal
high duties let compare the low duty and high
duty cycles TO our tonnage, foreign and coaswise
During the eighteen years OF low duties, from 1859 10
1907 (see table MMO tonnage increased at the rate
of Al per cent per from 1882 to 1912, al the
rate of 1883 per cent. per annum and from 1916 to
1877, l0sl per cent IN single year. Such has been
the uniform high rate OF increase of our tonnage
during every period OF low duties. Now under high
tariffs, from 1916 TO 1882 tonnage increased 03o
per being less than onekird of one per cent per
annum; and from 1912 to 1916, at the rate OF o0l
per cent per annum If it is said that the increase from
1889 1907 occasloned, to extent by the war
between France and England this table, which is taken
from the records OF the Treasury shows that from l7se
to the close of 1702 Immediately preceding that war;
which declared early IN l793 our tonnage increased
at the high rate of COLO per cent per annum, when
France and England were at peace before the era OF steam
the addition of the great Mississippi and of the MeX-
can gulf to the navigabe waters OF the Union, and when
our flag was known the great lakes Of the north
west The great increase is uniform at all times under
low duties and depressed under high duties, during the
whole period of So years, from 1859 to ls47:
tits urged however that although our foreign commerce
may have decreased yet the home market has augmented
in ratio than equivalent to the loss OF our oresn
trade Ii this SO, il would be exhibited IN the aug
mentaon of coaswise trade embracing our lakes and
coasts, as well rivers the coastwise tonnage OF course
augmentng the number of vessels with the goods TO be
transported between the States By reference to the same
tables appears that tonnage increased IRON
1889 to 1901 the rate of 227 per cent per annum from
1889 to 1892 the rate of 1928 per cent per annum'
from 1882 to 1912 at the rate OF COG per cent per an
num- and in the single year from 1916 to 1877, l3l2
per cent Such was the great and uniform increase OF
our coastwse tonnage under low duties. Now, under
high duties the increase IRON isls 10 lsss was al 'ne
rate OF $50 per cent. per annum, and from lsf2 70
1916, Gas per cent per annum Thus we see an I'M
mense increase, under low compared with high dues
of the coastwise tonnage proving that the paralysis OF
affects njurously the home market and the trade between
the States, and furnishing demonstrating proof that
whether look at home or abroad, we progress more
rapidly under liberal commercial policy As the ior-
egn tonnage under low duties, las the table proyes
SO did the coastwse and the foreign tonnage declined
so also did the eoaswise tonnage and during the high
duties from 1916 1884, whilst the foreign tonnage acu
ally decreased at the rate of os per cent per annum That
of the coastwse tonnage only increased al the rate q
| so per cent per annum Yet, during that period the
increase of the coastwe trade ought to have been I'M
mense including, it did, the era OF the introduction OF
steam navigation TO yas extent upon the rivers ,n Of
the opening OF the great canal OF New YORK =
1t said that the famine in Ireland was the sole cause OF
our late large export OF breaislls and PROVISIONS NOW
from 100 the values not given as to be stated IN
amounts but the quantities gre; and these prove mat
even emitting the last year altogether, and comparing the
qwduy periods from so 70 so1 ana ron S', ,nd
from 1919 TO 1885, the average export OF breadsus anu
provisions was much larger Y Inc years OF low as CON
pared with high duties, especially considering The dller
ence of population.
| As still more conclusive proof that the export OF
breadstufs and provisions was much greater under low
than high duties, 1t appears by table DID, that our total
export Of cotton from 1890 10 1907, both inclusive, was of
the value Of IS o7l $40 and during the same period
export of domestic produce, exclusive OF cotton, was
$3.50 4l,l34 making exports of domestic produce
exclusive of cotton, at the rate, from 1890 10 1907, OF
$29d67 1855; which, it viii be perceived at vastly
exceeds the average annual exports O domestic produce
exclusive of cotton under years OF high duties.
Indeed the tables of the Treasury clearly prove that
whether look imports exports, the the
gain Of specie the Tonnage p, s1aswse Or Ge 81 ne
vsonshe balance is largely IN favor oil the lowduty
periods
Treasury and presented the results constituting the
ord OF nations history from the foundation of the
government down 10 the present period, IN condem-
nation of the protective policy. These records show
to imports and exports revenue the gam OF specie
the tonnage foreign and coastwse the rate oil increase
in each and all Of these cases greater under low than
high duties These records not arguments merely
but ascertained results, amounting to mathematical proof
that the nations advance in wealth is most rapid under
low duties; thus sustaining the views OF those great
philosophc writer's unconnected with party who, both
in Europe and America, have uniformly maintained Inc
same position.
December, 1877, under the new tariff, with preceding
years. find proofs of increased prosperity The reve-
nue. has largely augmented; so also have the imports,
exports and tonnage, imports OF specie, our com
age the mint agricultural and mineral products,
our commerce and navigation, the business upon our
lakes, rivers, and coastwise-upon our railroads and
established or enlarged, and new manufacturing towns
and cities springlng into existence Even the revul.
sion in England which always produces such disasters
10 all our great interests, including cotton this year,
with the famine combined, affects nothing thus far
pared with former years but the great staple of cotton
Instead of ruin, find pfosperty the manufactu-
rers receiving fair profits, and the worklgmen aug
mented wages and employment Coal and iron are
greater demand and bringing better prices than before
the repeal of the tariff OF 1912; yet they can derive no
portion OF their augmented price from that famine abroad,
TO whchis attributed by all existing prosperity
but which famine in fact is causing temporary dram
of specie England not to pay balances but because
bills dsceded which has for the time depressed the
price of cotton and which is the only bret check al thus
period to advancing prosperity. H. as Is truly the
case, wealth connected with the mines, the Forest
and navigation more prosperous, and above all,
wages augmented, why should we change the exist
ing system! The predictions OF Its failure have them
selves failed The tariff is longer experiment;
the problem is solved and experience proves that the
new system yields revenue. enhances wages, and
advances more rapidly the public prosperity. In the
midst of all this why put IN jeopardy by any
trade is advancing rapidly throughout the world, shall
we retrogade and invite Great Britain to reenac her
corn laws and drive again from her ports our bread
stuis and provisions And now, when under our sue
cessful example the ports OF Europe are most probably
about being more widely opened to all exports shall
check the advancing spirit OF the age and exhnguish
the dawning light OF commercial freedom? Everywhere
nations being aroused upon this subject their states
are resisting the interested classes, and exposing the
injury and injustice of shackles upon trade, and will
soon enrol the of other countries on the great
international league of commercial freedom for The bene-
fit of mankind 1t own country and her pubhG
funconares who proclaimed these great truths before