The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-12-17
Protection In England.


mons, with tory ministry in power pledged BY their am
tecedenls the doctrine Of protection adopted by an inn
mense majoriy-ony 50 voting against il in house OF
ga membership following resolution proposed by Lord
Palmerston;
That the improved condition of the county and es.
peeay OF the industrious classes is mainly the result Of
recent legislation, which has established the principle
unrestricted competition, has abolished taxes imposed for
the purposes OF protection and has thereby diminished the
cost and increased tho abundance of the principal articles
of the food Of the people That this policy firmly main
tanned and prudeny extended WILL without inhcling in
Jury any important interest best enable the industry Of
the country to bear its burdens, and will thereby most sure
ly promote the welfare and oontentmen OF the people"
On the third day following-he sOlh ultmo--the
Prime Minister, Lord Derby, stated in his place that" he
was quite ready 10 agree resolution ra,iiying the
present system OF commercial legislation, expressing
the same lime the determination Of the present govern
ment TO adhere TO the principle OF free trade"
These proceedings had in the newly elected Par
lament, with the avowed design OF making known the
final Of that body the question OF free trade.
alleged 10 be already settled by the verdict Of the British
people, but which regarded as in degree com
plicated by the previous commitments Of the ministry
The result before us, and it demonstrates that Great
Britain. through the voice OF her national legislature and
under conservative lead, has defntively capitulaed
10 the spirit of the age, and finally abjured in favor OF
free trade her ancient and traditional policy OF protection
II is remarkable too that Parliament, in taking this po
siton. has distinctly planted itself the firm ground Of
satisfactory experience The of Lord Palmerstons
resolution is, that freedom of trade and unrestricted
competition in England have been thoroughly tested.
and have worked SO well as TO warrant their man,e-
henceiorth the permanent policy Of The British
empire.
SO has closed the great movement of commercial re-
FORM the introduction OF which has made memorable the
last administration of Sir Robert Peel Nothing more
important has been done in Great Britain since the Caho
lie emancipation OF 1929, and the Reform bill OF 1891
In the present enumeration of the commercial policy Of
Great Britain many important results are involved or
foreshadowed, and chief among them change in the
British colonial system, Under system of free trade,
colonial dependencies, In far as they are governed
in Downing street instead OF being left 10 govern them
selves, must cost more than they come TO. English
statesmen and the English people are already beginning
10 take this view, and though the colonial system may
still be Tor time partially kept up the interest of the
pacemen for whom il provides, yet 1t is easy to see that
it must undergo important notifications in the direc.
lion of encouragement, and long be mainly abandon
ed Nor The results Of the present British commercial
policy be confined wholly 10 the domains of com
and industry The enfranchsement OF Industry and
trade great step made by the masses OF the people TO-
wards the acquisition of sovereign political power The
sway of liberalism in tends directly to the SWAY
of liberalism in politics. When, in an arisocra,ic and
conservative society, Commerce comes to the kim,
democracy in form or less pure is alteady on
its way 10 the throne
1t is undoubtedly true that the result of the recent
presidential election in this country has had its effect in
emboldening the freerades OF England TO demand from
ministry and Parliament the formal sanction OF their doc.
trine, which has been given 10 this connexon the
election of General Pierce has been more than once re-
fced to in The recent debate The eec, Of the comm
cal legislation OF this country in 1915 upon the policy OF
Sir Robert Peel in the ensuing years is well known
And in fact partly in consequence of this nteracton OF
the two upon each other the policy Of pro.
lection is in nearly the predcament in the two
countries In Eng land the tories. victorious in the late
election in spite OF their past commitment 10 it, are now
found formally il order 10 remain in power
In the United States the wing party having nomnay al
least made the principle OF protection one OF their issues
and having met at the hands OF the people in every section
of the land annihlatng defeat afraid openly
themselves Protectonss, and limit their efforts
TO amper with the tariff OF 1916 10 resolutions which
however suspicious, at least wholly equvocal and
non-co mmittal, and 10 stenoyped executive recon-
mendations- il were, pro forma--and which
TO be scarcely read and not at all regarded az in
fuencng the action Of Congress the opinion OF the
country