The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-11-17
A Protective Tariff.

The subject of the present revenue laws of
the United States deserves more attention
than the qualifications of voters in any part
of the country. The tariff now in existence
is highly injurious in most particulars. and it
is not as productive of revenue as would be
system organised under different principles.
In the thoughtful aud able address delivered
by Mr.. Mills, In this city, on the 4th inst, he
introduced quotation from the writings OF
the best thinker of the pinteenth century,
Henry Thomas Buckle, that will apply TO
the heresy of protective tariffs as well as to
any other legislative folly. Buckle says
that 1.-THE great enemy of civilization Is the
protective spirit by which L mean the no
ton that society cannot prosper unless the
affairs of life are watched over and protected,
at nearly every turn, by the state" States
men, at least in this country, seem unwilling
to trust those laws of trade which must pre-
vail between man and man in civilized soci-
| ETY., when they place their hands upon the
commerce between the people of different ma
| tions. They seem TO imagine that the man
| ufacturing and mercantile interests would
suffer if they are unshackled by restrictions.
| They force them to develope themselves
where they would not naturally exists, and
where the necessities of society do not call
for them. They stop their easy and normal
channels, and adopt q general hot-bed or
stunting treatment which effsctually
changes their natural growth
They are unwilling 20 trust the immutaole
laws which, if unfettered, would work out
that great problem, 1.-THE greatest good OF the
greatest number" They forget that the laws
of social science have been studied and that
the truth on the great questions of demand
and supply, Of production and consumption,
of commerce and trade has been fully COM
pretended and fairly explained by a success
sion of great minds In the United States,
where we have politicians innumerabie, we
have few statesmen. We have had thous nds
Of speech makers In congress, but few men
who could pass an examination in the clear
est rules of political economy. Legislation
concerning the tariff has taken long stride
backward in the course of the last few years
The immediate pressing need for speedy ac-
cumulation of the Golfers of the government,
has led 20 the passage of laws far behind the
age, and e great way behind the legislation
of former times in this country. The tariff
, dues have been raised Internationally with
the hope of largely augmenting the revenue
from customs, at the very moment consump.
ton had increased, labor had become dear
! and supplies of raw materials had suddenly
diminished. diminution of the duties al
the beginning of the war, by stimulating q
trade which was imperatively demanded,
would have increased the income of the coun
try from the tariff to an immense degree. The
necessity for foreign goods was never so great
American consumers needed them 10
quantities never before eQualled
The history of the nation under series oil
! administrations which had been continually
approaching more nearly TO free trade priuci
: pies, established the fact that a continued re
duction OF these impost taxes down 10 q Low
e gure, added yearly 10 government receipts
; This was the rule. Exceptions manifested
themselves at times, but nothing to initiate
against the truth which has been exemplIfed
in the financial history of other nations-thsi
a low tariff IN the long run is best for the
government in the matter Of increase. Tax.
alton may be made heavy as TO crush
down all trade.
But the tariff has not only been raised In
, defiance Of the laws of enlightened social
, science, but it has been raised in the most
; oppressive manner. Specific duties and
hybrid system, comprising every conceivable
manner If duty, have been imposed instead
of Gd ralOrem taxes. These mixed and spe
; cifo duties have resulted from the purpose Of
Legislators to protect. in the most careful
manner the interests of man ufacturers. whose
goods would otherwise fud but a limited
sale in competition with those of foreign
make, that could have been sold at ial
cheaper rate.
Now, however powerful have become the
manufacturing interests Of this country and
they have been built up at the expense ofthe
nation-we are people Of consumers; as far
as manufacturers are concerned. The south
aud the west are agricultural regions. They
| can produce certain great staples more pro
= fitably and naturally than they can manu-
fscture Soil and climate favor these pur
suits. Thew were intended by nature 70,
these sections.
They thus become great purchasers of certain
manufactured goods. If these goods are needed
! by the whole population of the country: if onl,
a comparatively small number are engaged ir
their production, and it is impossible 10 obtair
them abroad cheaper than they can be made
within the limits of the United States, VIII,
should the majority be feeced bv being forced t.
buy of the few AT enhanced pricess But this !:
the effect of the protective tariff under which the
country suffers.
1t is easy to get these protective tariff bill:
through congress. SelEnterest governs toe
MANY "working members" The country has rot
!. forgotten the disclosures Of some seven oil
eight years ago, Of the bribery by which cele
brated tariff was supported. Different mHnufac
turing interests, having nothing in common but
| a longing for legislation which shall compel the
} purchase of their wares at high prices by the
community, combine their influences, and BY per
sonal appeals to the political ambition Other
sensibilities OF members, succeed in getting
through this abomiable continuance for taking
| money from the masses.
1t is with great satisfaction that notice the
renewal Of systematic efforts in New York tow
| ard reform in this regard. Organization should
extend and embrace every commercial and agri
, cultural centres. A determined, unresting at
tempt should be made TO break down completely
the manufacturers rule, and give the masse,
d r.