Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-25

for the whistle" It does seem to me, though |
submit it with great difidence, that we may be
"paying too dear for the whistle" of protection.
And here, let me ask, who has been benefited
by the loss of that 000000,00O? In lS46,
according to the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury, there were ten thousand capitalists
engaged in manufactures, and four hundred
thousand operatives. Well, sir, suppose that
We now double that number. Suppose that we
place at twenty thousand the capitalists engaged
in manufactures, and at eight hundred thousand
the operatives. First, what do the operatives
receive for protection! They do not gain more
than average wages. appeal to you, gentle.
men, who represent manufacturing interests, DO
the operatives gain more than average wages?
Hardly, apprehend The operatives are in
nowse better off than they would have been
without the protective policy, for they would
have made The same average rate OF wages III
other employment. But there are twenty thou
sand capitalists benefited by it; and to benefit
these twenty thousand capitalists We have lost
$1,000, 100000 Now, have the most benevo-
lent feelings in the world for these twenty lh"u'
sand capitalists; but it seems to me that they
tax Us rather too high when they charge Us
$1,000, 100000. 1t would be better to pension
them each n Fortunes anu let them 60, If we
could thereby obtain the great privilege OF hay
ing our industry and exchanges untrammeled.
So much on this point
The report of the Committee of Ways and
Means refers US 10 the example OF England us
an argument for protection. Well, sir, atn SUI
prised that the distinguished gentleman at lhe
head of that committee is so much behind the
times. The example Of England is exactly the
other way. In 1912, what was the condition OF
England? She was laboring under paralysis; ;
dying of the protective policy; her exports d.
minishing day; her revenue tuing oft; every
thing languishing. Eng land was the sick man
them Fortunately for England, her financial
policy was in the hands OF man of pre-eml-
nent wisdom. allude 10 Sir Robert Peel, then
Prime Minister. He surveyed the field, and
saw that there must be radical change in the
tariff of England. What did he do? lie
boldly applied the knife TO the English tariff
and advanced tearessly in the policy Of free
trade. He struck at the very heart of ulonopo-
". He lowered the duty on corn. That was
the great point of monopoly there. Hear him
speaking in ls45. He says:
"My opinions on the subject of protection
have undergone q change. My opinions have
been modified by the experience of the lust
three years | have had an opportunity of
comparing The results of the principle which
has been followed during those years, viz: The
gradual removal Of protection from domestic
industry; and ain led TO the conclusion that
the grounds of public policy on which protcc-
ton is defended are not tenable."
In l545 he made further advances in free
trade. And here cannot refrain from quoting
the last words of 81. Robert Peel on quitting
office in 1916, words indicating great elevation
of soul and great sensibility:
"Within few hours probably, that power
which have held will be resigned into the
hands of another. | shall surrender power,
severely censured fear by many honorable
men, who from no interested motives have ad-
hered to the principles of protection, because
they look upon it as of Importance to the well
fare of the country. shall leave name exc
Grated, know, by every monopolist, who, pro-
Tossing honorable opinions, would maintain pro-
lection for his own individual benefit; but it
may be, shall leave 4 name sometimes remenl-
bered with expressions Of good will, in the
abodss of those whose lot it is to earn their
daily bread by the sweat of their brow, when
they shall recruit their exhausted energies with
abundant and untaxed food, the sweeter because
no longer leavened by sense Of injustice"
Subsequently, under the administration Of
Lord John Russell, the duties on sugar Were
greatly reduced, and the celebrated act of navi-
cation repealed. Sir Robert Peel reduced the
duties on imports, and substituted an income
tax. The principle on which he went was TO
free exchanges, thus take of the burdens of in
dustry, and throw taxation on property The
results of this policy were very striking OH the
revenue and the prosperity of the country.
Between 1912 and 1858, datics on imports
and the excise were reduced over tl0,0OO,O0O,
and yet in 1853 the amount yieded from these
sources was only El22,4ll less than in 1912.
By remodeIing their financial system in England,
they have added f6OOO,OOO TO The revenue,
and remitted tl6,OOO.OOO to the people. Be-
sides this, the general prosperity OF the country
has advanced in II most astonishing ratio, lis Is
apparent from the following statistics:
The total exports of Eng gland in 1912 were
G37, 1881 ,O23; in 1853. .f93 347 3O6, ninely-seven
per cent. greater than i'll 1912. Such was the
result under an approximation to free trade -!
Under the protective policy which existed in
full force from 1912 to 1922, corresponding
period of twenty years, the results We're: Total
exports in 1912, f4l,Tl6.s64; in 1922. tS6,-
96S.964, exhibiting Il decline of thirteen per
cent. The exports of England to the United
States in 1882 were f3 528 8O7; in 1852, tl6.-
l34.397, an increase of three hundred and fifty
six per cent.
am Glad, Mr. Chairman, that the honorable
gentleman from Ohio Mr. CAMPBELL. has re-
ferred us to the example of England | wish
that he had been inspired by those great ideas
of free trade, and ) unned this miserable schno!
of monopolists and struck out \ bold and man
" policy The Latin proverb says that -" for.
tune knocks ut each mans door once in Il life
time" So is il with fame. Fame Knocked al,
his door, but he was 50 "cabined. cribbed, con.
fined" by the shackies of monopoly, that hv
hesita,ed TO open the door. Would to COD
sir, that the gentleman had risen TO the grandeur
of the occasion. and not lent his fine abilities 70
galvanize the cffete ideas of the mon"polsls-
IDEAS which genius and experience have demon
strated to be the relics OF barbari>m and iyno.
rance If he had boldly struck out in the ca
reer of free trade, he would have married his
name to great principle, and won an honorable
niche in the history of his country; but untor-
tunately he has suffered the golden opportunity
10 escape him.
Mr. CAMPBELL, of Ohio. Do understand
the gentleman from South Carolina to advocate
system of free trade and direct taxation!
Mr. BOYCE 1t is just the very thi;' g am
after
Mr. CAMPBELL, Of Ohio. desire to know.
because now the gentleman from South Carolina
has an opportunity of distinguishing himself
and of taking bold position ON this grca
question lie has offered substitute for lhr
Al i