Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-16

From the 81. Louis Dsmocrnt.J

FINN the ST. Louis Democrat
One Of the most important and significant
political movements Of the day is the organ
ization, in New York, of Free Trade
League, of which William Cullen Bryant of
the Epenine Post is President We have
advcrted to this organization and its objects.
The organization of these Leagues is being
extended throughout the United States. On
the evening Of the I'd inst, by invitation of
Mr.. Simon Stern, Secretary of the Ameri-
can Free Trade League OF New York, a
number Of the most influential business men
Of St. Louis, met at the Lindell Hotel, and
organized one Of these Leagues. The meet
ing was presided over by the Mayor of st.
Louis. A constitution was adopted, and the
names and members enrolled, and the COM
mittee on organization instructed TO report
the names Of proper persons for permanent
officers of the League to an adjourned meet
in. Mr.. Stern, Secretary Of the American
League, being called on, made some well
considered, cogent and lucid remarks as 10
the objects Of the League which he said were
70 promote free and unrestricted trade be-
tween the United States and all Other coun-
tries.
The remarks Of Mr. Stern contained sue
cinct historical account of the efforts of the
Protectionisis of this country from the be-
ginning Of the Government, and are well
worthy of being reproduced. They are brief,
pointed and full of pith. There was never
time in the history OF the Government
when the Protectionists may be met with
greater advantage than now, when rev
enue Is needed by the Government and
when IL is an absolute certainty that
protective duties bring no revenue. Mr..
Stein's arguments briefly stated as they are,
fully illustrate this point.
This question Of free Trade, he said was
not new one i'm this country. But in the
changed condition Of the country Il came 20
us under new aspects Protectionists were
not satisfied with the present tariff, and in
the nature OF things never would be satisfied
with any rate Of tariff that might be fixed.
A proposition was now before Congress 10
increase the present tariff. IL was remark
able that as early as 1889, Alexander Ham
iiton had stated that tariff Of seven and
one-half per cent ad valorem was necessary
10 enable the manufacturers Of this COIN
Try TO engage in the manufacture of iron.
Al his suggestion this rate was establish
cd. This Was then declared to be all-snfli-
Gent, and even that imposition was consid-
cred temporarily necessary. Now the man.
uiacsurers demand tariff Of onc kaadrcsi and
ffly per cenf, still saying that they will soon
be able 10 manufacture iron successfully with
out any protection nj all. They never would
be satisfied. He considered, as one Of the
wopt features Of our protective tariff, the
fact that they resulted in erowding our East
ern towns with population, and thereby left
the Western lands untitled. Free traders
had asked him whether II were possible TO
organize free trade with our present heavy
national debt. lie thought il was. No per-
ION who had reflected upon the subject could
have failed 70 see that protective tariff. BY
checking or prohibiting inportations, drive
from us trade, and consequently diminish