Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-11-21

10 be any otherwise than poor. ] ask
you if his condition is not that of doom.
ed man. He sees no way Of changing
that condition, no mode by which he can
extricate himself from the difficulties
which surround him, except through some
revolution other. lie is right; he is
right. The old systems do not remedy
the difficulties and he seeks new one.
He seeks the use Of power himself. with
view to see whether he can use il more
wisely or not.
Now. sir. when England offers to US
Free Trade. | beg your attention for a
moment, while | allude to the principles
upon which she bases that offer: the facts
upon which she builds her hopes of sue
cess. She says, in the first place, we
have capital cheaper than they have in
the United States. Tha. is true Capt.
tai costs but about half as much there as
IN the nited States. In the next place.
she says, we have labor cheaper than they
have in the United States; we have this
depressed. this paupor labor, these mass
es who are obliged TO work from dav 10
day. IN order 10 obtain the necessaries of
HE sufficient 10 sustain existence Now
It you will look into the Parliament de-
bates upon this subject. you will find this
clearly illustrated Their statesmen a.
gree upon these premises. and to what
does the argument tend! They say with
these advantages. we have protection
enough; we can runthe race successfully:
we can beat our competitors; cheap labor
and cheap capital are all the advantages
we want. when accompanied by the skill
which has been accumulafing for centu-
the idea that no protection is necessarv:
she proceeds upon the idea that she has
the means in her hands that give her the
advantage. and such advantage as will
enable her 10 prosecute her industrial
pursuits with success. That is the
ground she takes. and the argument by
which they maintain it.
Now they say, let us make this matter
reciprocal you shall import goods into
our country, upon the same conditions
that we import them; we ask the same of
you. and ask liberal SYSTEM; a very low
tariff Of duties. This system they call
free trade. Now it may be reciprocal, or
it may not. We have many treaties Of
commerce and navigation which are call
ed reciprocal treaties. We have one, for
example, with the little State of Bremen,
made up Of some SO or 1000 people.
What are the conditions of that treaty?
That the ships of Bremen shall enter the
ports of the United States upon the
same conditions with the ships Of the
United States. and that the ships Of the
United States shall enter the port OF Bre-
men upon the same conditions with the
ships Of Bremen. Upon the face Of it,
that appears reciprocal; and yet who does
not see, who looks upon it for moment.
that the bargain opens to US but single
port, and that immaterial to us, while it |
opens 10 them this whole wide-s spread |
country, with all its advantages?
So it is with this manufacturing bust
ness. If they can command capita!
cheaper; if they can rely and depend up
on this cheap labor; then the case is far
from being one Of reciprocity;''it is far from
being one Of equality.
]. is to these considerations that have
wished to ask your attention. l might
extend these remarks much further, and
possibly with some profit to you; though |
With labor to myself; but as the hour is
approaching at which you will be engaged
With your dinner, will bring my remarks
o conclusion, by saying to you simply.
hat 1t is aquestion of very great moment
t is one which demands your most ear
lest zeal and efforts, which demands that
'ou should look at it in all its particulars;
bat YOU should become familiar with its
letals: that you should not be entrapped
" mere names; that you should take care
hat the population of this country. in
tead of being placed upon the descend
ng scale in morals, may be kept upon
he ascending scale. Otherwise conse-
uences may follow, which no man can
all to regret.