The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-16
The Protective Policy.

seated IN The pre- sdenal CHAIR the wing party is throw
ing off the mask and revealing its features, which were
hidden from the public gaze during the late canvass
Those features the that have always disn-
guished the federal policy Prominent among them is
the restrictive SYSTEM whose practical operation taxes
the great of the people for the benefit of few
favored monoposts. The struggle on this question is
between the money capital and the labor capital of the
country; but il is not struggle in which one of the
parties necessarily be crushed Labor desires no
class legislation 1t thrive and flourish if let alone
without tariffs and restrictions. The money capital
also find profitable investments; but its holders are
satisfied with any degree of profit, while there is posi-
bllity OF wringing more from labor through the aid of
legislative enlctments. In 1914 the whole question was
before the people, and they decided upon soemny and
deliberately. The last administration gave vitality to
the will OF the people as expressed at the ballot
box, by framing and enacting the revenue bill Of
1916 The system then established has been proved by
successful experiment to be wise and sautary Agrlcul-
ture has fourished; and commerce has been extended
under It's operation; while the manufacturers have not
been stricken down. The people were generous in their
victory over the moneyed corporations They did not
trampe on them in their time of power. They did not
reduce their profits even level with their own but
left them all the protection which they could Justly
claim But this conduct did not satisfy the monoposts
And vet they did not dare go before the people with their
unreasonable complaints, and ask through the
ballot box The restrictive policy obsolete then ;
aop however, they urge before the administration
measures which they would not submit to the people at
the November election The Boston Atlas, perceive
comes forward in support OF the protective system
wing measure and informs the country that those who
tha adj aJh IN
present revenue policy will be wofuy deceived That
paper advocates the Chinese policy OF prohibition all
its lens and breadth Itakes the broad ground that pro
lection to interest protection to others and contends
tina, the government should great home marke,
"or aA the productions of labor" We would have
respect for the sincerity of this advocate Of the
manufacturing monopolists, if, when he urges his be.
lief that protection to interest inures TO the benefit
Of Others he would express willingness try that
pertinent by placing the protection upon interest
other than that to which he is welded But so; the
a,nculturists and the real working of the country
told by all the tariff advocates, protect US and
will benefit you; and Of them are willing to abide
by their own declarations, unless advantages given
directly and Immediately to them.
We had thought that the advocates of the miscalled
American system had somewhat moihed their views
since the triumphant of the policy of the
late administration which has illustrated so sgnay the
principles of free trade. In this belief find that we
mistaken if the Boston Atlas can be regarded as
true exponent OF the views of the manufacturers 1t
demands home market "for all the productions of our
labor Agriculture is the great interest of the Union
the one upon which all its other interests are based
Millions dependent upon it; and to indebted
not only for national wealth, but for great
sequence and high character among the nations of the
earth In the face OF this fact the country is told that
Congress- by legislative enactment meeting the presiden
tal approval, must build up home market for all the
productions of our labor" In order to effect this object
sufficient number must be taken from agriculture and
placed in other emplsyments to consume the surplus
productions of the soil How can this be effected J
Surely not by saying to the free citizen, you shall
be manufacturer and you miner, and you
mechanic, No one pretends that this would be prac-
ucable, even if it just How, then, is the OBJ
lect to be effected There is but other means
left The agricultural interest already produces more
than the boasted home market can pretend to
This fixed fact in the condition of things. Then to
carry the views of the Atlas and its kindred organs,
profits agriculture 50 that labor will leave it, and
process to accomplish the object than this. For long
as labor is profitable in tlling the soil, the soil will not
be deserted and unless it is deserted to great extent,
1t will produce than the country consume.
The home market, then, will not answer. 1t has never
b:en, and never be sufficient, unless it is made
by running the great labor capital of the country
We have not space to-day to go fully into this subject
The signs of the times indicate most clearly that the tariff
controversy is TO be renewed under Gen Taylors admin
Saton, and that will have many opportunities Of
stating views that question We do not, therefore,
say at this time We will only notice correspond
en OF Yesterdays National Inellgencer, who furnishes
additional evdence-if, indeed, it were needed-o prove
that the monopolists will demand of Gen. Taylors adj
mnistraon the restoration of the tariff Of 1872 He
signs himself "a Miner from Pennsylvania )" and makes
feeble effort assa article Of last Saturday, rela
tive TO the coal trade. He repeats the assertion that the
distress of the past year in the coal region produced
BY the low duties OF s46, admitting foreign coal in
petition with that mined in country. He urges
that the import of coal for the last year 80 per
cent more than that OF 1917, while the increase
in the home production was not more than per cent
ADM, it, and it proves nothing The whole Importation
was small that had it increased hundred per cent
instead of thirty three il would not then have been su
hcent 10 affect our markets But take the whole opera
ton of the tariff of 1876 and "a Miner from Psnnsylva
MAJ will find that the increase in the Importation OF coal