The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-07-05

in this cheap market, for the further rea-
son that it is the dearest market in which
to sell our breadstuffs, cotton and other
raw materials; and this is the argument
by which American farmers have been
induced by the abandonment of their pro-
tectiye tariff of 1912, to discharge their own
manufacturers and employ those from
abroad. Has experience, the faithful
touchstOne of truth, commended to their
judgments all the advantages of a foreign
market, which free trade pictured to their
imaginations? [ think not They were
told that England was casting off the
shackles from commerce which a barbarous,
selfish, and anti-commercal spirit had inn
posed, and, that ihaugurating a new era
of unrestricted international exchanges,
she was throwing open her ports for the
admission of our breadstuifs, after long
and wearisome contests with the protcc-
tionists. That was in the year 1916. The
protection afforded by the act Of 1912 had
infused so much of life and energy into
the country, that it was fast working its
way to commercial independence. Capital
that had been driven from active employ
ment by the disasters consequent on the
reduction of duties by the tariff Of 1888,
sought investment not only in the old, but
III new avenues Of industry; laborers no
longer looked for employers, but employ
crs for them-a condition of things tnat
in short time would have driven British
manufacturers from our markets, and re-
placed them with our own, on basis so
firm that they could have soon maintained
their ground, unaided by protection. But
the selishness and avaTice Of British man
facturers, shippers and merchants left
untried no means within their power TO
compass the defeat of our prosperity
British intrigue and British gold were
employed in the work Of destruction, and
an Administration was brought into pow
er by studiously and persistently assuring
the people that the law of 1912, SO fruitful
of blessings, should be rehgiously support
ed and preserved. England Immediately
began the repeal Of many duties which
were utterly useless for the protection of
her industry, for the simple purpose OF
atfording an example Of her supposed
abandonment Of the protective policy, the
better to enable her to operate on the
minds of our own and of other people, and
| thereby induce them to repeal duties that
were truly and substantially protective
The modification OF the corn laws, too, was
pushed TO a speedy conclusion, for the
benefit Of the manufacturers, and to recon
cile our farmers to the repeal of the act OF
1912. Now, sir, what have they gained
by it? What has been the result?
From table exhibiting the quantities
of wheat imported into Great Britain in a
series of years, which l find in the consu,
lar returns Of lS55, | extract the follow,
ing: -..-.-..
Wheat imported from, the United States
In 1916, 80S, IFS quarters; in 1917, L,
834,142 quarters; in 1913, 296,10 quar-
ters; in 1S49, G17,l31 quarters. in 1850
537 $50 quarters; in 1851, 911,955 quar-
ters; in 1852, ,231,S 1914 quarters.
Wheat imported from other cOuntrtes.-
In 1916, l ,529, 900 quarters; in 1917, ,,
592, ,526 quarters; in 1913, 2,587,13
quarters; in lS49, 1852, 900 quarters; il
1850, 1901 ,04S quarters; in 1891, 4,349,
SO quarters; in 1852, 2,906,77S quarters
The exports of wheat and wheat -four t
Great Britain for the year ending 30tl
June, 1859, were as follows:
Bushels. Value.
Wheat, : l,322,11S Sl,296, ,29(
Wheat -four 232 1868 1,051,05l
"a [ will not stop to dwell on the ircon
, siderable importance of the British mar
ket for this article. 1t is sufficient to sa,
that considering the increase of popula
, ton in both countries, and the power o
other nations to compete with US success
, fully in the supply of breadstuffs for tina
naa ket, it is not worth our care. And
we will but consider the improvement
: in agriculture which of late have com
manded so large share OF public atten
ton in -England, il will be obvious tha
, her market for our brcadstuffs will continu
to diminish until, in a short time, we shal
be entirely excluded j have already ad
| verted to the difficulty, indeed impossible
ity, OF investing a proper share OF capita
q in English agricu ulture. | would no'
a claim the attention of the Committee NOR
= particularly to the reforms recently sc
: on foot for the remedy of this evil Th
Y Parliament, as early as 1910, took hold {
+ the matter, and passed an act enablin
@ persons having limited interest In land
: | to charge them under certain restriction
. with debts contracted for Improvement
=, the spirit purpose Of which is reclted in th
e preamble, as follows:
) "Whereas much of the land In Englan
y and Ireland would be rendered perm
Q nently more productive by improve
n draining. and nevertheless, by reason
the great expense thereof, proprieto
IS having limited interest in such land 81