The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-02

FTee Iraoc.-Tho Secretary OF the TrcasuTy.--Thc
London Tlanes.-Public Opinion.
The enlarged and comprehensive sentiment of the
democracy in relation to free trade meets with the hearty
appreciation, not only of the great body OF rghtmnded
men in our country, but the best statesmen of Eng
land and the continent have publicly and privately
awarded hearty thanks to the ognatos and supporters
OF policy at once liberal and enlightened, and ad-
miiably calculated to promote the greatest good OF the
greatest number We have seen letters received by the
last steamer from Mr. Bancroft and from the celebrated
Mr. Hume, in which the fact stated that the mastery
report OF Secretary OF the Treasury has given to the
democratic policy of free trade, impetus not to be
checked stayed by any efforts of its opponents Eng
land The report is pronounced TO be, by Mr. Hume, a
'mahematical demonstration" But question of pre-
cedence up. What government is Justly entitled
the merit and honor of having taken the initiative in
the recent steps regarding free trade? The London
Times of January ls47, among other remarks, in a
leading editorial, has the following:
rhe report of the Secretary of the United States treas
uy is now before and is document interesting in
is composition it Is instructive in its disclosures Moth
ing surpass the lucid ceaness with which it describes
the true commercial policy OF the Union 1t is grnt-
lying not to national PRIDE bat fraterna yearn-
ngs to find that in the universe of intelligence people SO
long and abruptly alienaed still feel the attraction OF
our goodness and reflect the Plendo of our example The
more engh,ened party in the Union cngs for sup
not rouse any lurking jealousy by touching this chord In
England we have long been willing learn from our re-
publican cousins, and hail in them that wise do
clity which we have ourselves long practised.'
What are the facts
Before Mr.. Walkers report reached England the
then premier, Sir Robert Peel in connexion with the
policy under consideration, had been publicly known
all his life a strenuous advocate of protection So
that in him, the government dao, freetade advocates
had noble and successful British precedent" may be
remembered that the 2st Of February 1885, the Ma
tonat InteHigeneer, without intending it, paid Mr.
Walker in leading editorial, wel-deserved compli-
men at the time settling the question of precedence
in the following Words
(Cambria) is the unprecedented comp ment paid by the
House of Lords, Mr.. Secretary Walkers annual treasury
report, respecting the repeal of protective tariff which
ordered by their ordshps be printed for the Of
the House. indeed, not improbable that tie free trade
propositions of Secretary accelerated If they did
prompt the Kindred England, of total repeal Of
The corn kaus.'
But the Iatelhgencer OF the 29th inst in quoting from
the London Times the remarks above given, speaks of
an excess OF euogy." The excess is well deserved.
The difference between Sir Robert Peel and our Secre-
tary is, that the great British statesman is recent con-
vert to the doctrine Of free trade which Mr. Walker has
advocated all his life.