Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-07-22
ProssesIsa and Free Tr.ds-Hr. sssven.'
Speech.
Last week we published some sx'

effect Of the Wing tariff law OF
1912, and the Locoloco Tree trade
law OF 1916, on The iron business.
The demonstration was clear that
that branch Of our national industry
had been Tuinously depressed by the
present tariff law while IT enjoyed a
great degree OF prosperity. equally
TO the advantage of employer and
employed, under the law of 1912.
But it is claimed by the advocates
OF Free Trade in America that Eng
land is adopting a free trade policy,
and that reciprosity requires this ma
ton to adopt similar policy. The
enquiry then becomes significant
under which oil these principles has
England attained TO her present posi-
lion as the leading manufacturing
country o. the worldl The truth is
no country ewes more TO the protec-
tive policy-its laws were framed
with direct reference to exclude "Ihe
manufactured articles OF other ma
tions, and give the home market er-
cluSirely to their own artisans, so as
10 induce them to embark their time,
capital, and talents in the creation Of
domestic fabrics. She admitted the
raw material, which she could not
produce, free; prohibited the imp por-
tatiou Of many articles, and laid
heavy discriminating duty on Others y
Mr.. Stevens says:
England has acquired all this
power, wealth. and grandeur through
her protective policy alone. And
now she breaches "free trade" to
Olhers-to young nalionsl And
there are ionnd shallow dupes who
swallow the bait!
But protective tariff benefits
rich capitalists only, is the cry OF
free trade demagogues. Let US hear
Mr.. S. on this:
Now, sir. it is easy TO show that
protection against foreign competi-
tion IS mainly for the benefit OF the
laborer. True, it helps the capital
lists; for il is Impossible TO benefit
labor without nj Ing capital, and it
is inn osSibIe To benefit capital with
out aiding labor.
have said that protection would
principally benefit labor. The chief
value of most manufactured articles
consists in labor. Take iron for an
example. The costs Of ton ol
pig-metal in the most favorable loca-
tions in this country, is about twenty
dollars. The capital invested con-
sistS OF the real estate--lhe furnace
and land !or fuel and ore. OF iSe
twenty dollars cost, the labor in pro-
ducing the ore, coal, and smelling
amounts to about eighteen dollars
per ton. Not more than two dollars
is capital. Any protection given 10
iron is given to the laborer in the
proportion Of nins dollars to one
dollar TO capital.
The whole Of the labor, to be
sure, is not done by the collier, the
miner, and furnace hands-a part Of
il is the labor Of the farmer, the mil
Ter, and the butcher, who supply the
grain, beef, and other provisions
Still, the protection is mainl y 10 the
laborious industry Of the country.
So it is with fabrics of cotton and
wool. The value Of the raw materi-
al is increased by the labor OF the
operatives from four 10 twenty times.
Aud a great part Of the value Of the
raw material is the effect Of labor,
not capital. Whoever, therefore,
sustains the protection Of domestic
industry, susIains tho labor of the
people; whoever opposes it, votes for
their oppression and poverty.
! have said that every branch OF
national industry is dependent on
every other, and partakes Of its
prosperity or depression. But, per-
haps no class is so largely benefited
by protection as The farmers, as none
contribute so largely to the power
and independence OF nations. If il
were necessary that either commerce
or agriculture should sacrifice some
thing to the other, let it be COM
merce. 1t is possible 10 push for
eign trade too lar. Cicero, in his
treatise on the Republic, says that
the reason Of the great weakness Of
Carthage, was that she gave too
much attention TO her shipping, and
neglected agriculture. The wealth
of the farmer arises from his surplus
products. And their value depends
upon a ready, handy. and a con-
slant market. The nearer to his
farm you bring that market, the
better for him. The farmer who
must send his produce from Pennsyl-
vania 10 England foI a market, mus,
4 al