The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-03-27

agreed on all hands that any interference
between neighbors or states within the
same general government, to prevent the
utmost freedom of exchange, is unwise
and impracticable, it is nevertheless mair-
tanned by many to be of the highest inn
portance between nations.
We will suppose, for the sake of SIM
plifying the matter, there are but two ma
tions which trade with each other, viz:
Great Britain and the United States. Let
US suppose that the tariff paid by Great
Britain to the United States in a single
year amounts to thirty aailiioas, and that
paid by the United States to Great Brit
ain to amount to but twelty millions. Here
it is supposed the United States has the
advantage of Great Britain by the sum of
ten millions. But it will be remembered
that while Great Britain has paid to the
Federal Government thirty millions, she
has taken from our people. in the enhanced
price of her goods, sum thirty millions
larger than she would otherwise have
/ done. So that. while the treasury has
been enriched thirty millions by Great
Britain ostensi6ly, virtually it has not re-
ceived dollar which the people did not
pay. What then has our government gained
by the tariff system? Simply this: It
not unfrequently receives large surplus
beyond the real wants of the government,
the tendency of which is, to make extrav-
agant expenditures, and produce corrup-
| ton among the government officials
thing which should be most carefully
guarded against. The ease with which
money is raised by means of tariff, we
are inclined to believe, is the principal
source from whence it derives its support.
But, besides this, the system creates mo-
nopolies, and the monopolists viii always
be clamorous in support of the system.
Besides the idea of supplying the gov
eminent treasury, it is maintained by the
frienGs of the tariff system, that home
markets for our produce are created, and
the country is greatly enriched in this
way.
Let us examine this idea and see what
it is worth. We will suppose that the
article of boots is entirely manufactured
in Great Britain, that we have been in the
habit of purchasing them at four dollars
per pair. A manufacturer commences the
business in the United States, but cannot
sell them for less sum than five dollars.
We will not willingly pay this sum. The
government imposes duty of 20 per
cent and both classes of boots are sold
| at five dollars. We are told that in con-
sequence of this new mandatory, a new
market will be created at home for our
produce, and that we shall receive bet
ter price in consequence of this new mar
ket, which will compensate US for the en-
HANGED price of boots. Let us see if this
be the case. We will suppose that ten
thousand persons have gone into the boot
business at home, who were formerly en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits. IF this be
the case like number must have left the
business in Great Britain and have gone
into agricultural business, for there would
be no demand for their boots, and no
means of supplying their deficiency in
bread stuff, but by raising it themselves.
i So that the increased demand at home
viii be balanced by the decreased demand
i abroad. Here it will be seen that while
We have been paying 25 per cent higher
for our boots than formerly. we have de-
rived no corresponding benefit. And this
is precisely what we might expect. We
have employed labor which was worth
% per cent more when engaged in agricul-
ture, than when engaged in the boot
business, and have lost 20 per cent; this
was inevitable, and is in all respects what
! it would be if one man were to employ
women to make coats at four dollars 8
4 piece, and his neighbor were to employ
men to make them at FIVE dollars piece
The workmanship being the same. the
man who has paid five dollars piece fol
r the making of his coat, has lost dollar
and so has the man who has paid FIVE dol
/ lars for his boots when he might have
obtained them at four dollars.
! But it is maintained by the friends o
! the tariff system that while it may b
true that in the outset we pay more fol
; the home made article, ultimately we pay
5 less. Now this may be true, and ye
worth nothing to any one, either logicall,
or pecuniarily. We viii suppose that ;
lew firm wishes to commence business il
; the city of New York. but complain tina
/ competition is SO great that it cannot profit
| ably do business unless the people vii
sustain them by paying % per cent
! higher for their goods for time thai
, those already in the business are charging
t butin consideration of this advantage bein!
given them. they viii ultimately selIlow
er than those they seek to drive from th,
E business. Now this might all be true
: bnt what would the people say to patroE
F izing the new firm? And what wouIi
/ these already in the business say? Iii
E very plain that the contribution Of capita
/. to person engaged in any kind Of brsi
0 ness, viii enable that person to undssel
5 those who depend simply upon the profit
Z of business for their support. But it j
!. not 50 plain that alT derive any advantag