The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-14

policy under which every class OF our people wouo pIos
per- and taxes would prove far lighter burden than
the oppressive competition which has been so long en-
dured with European cheap labor Whatever may %
In this Il is as we'll known as any other European
fact that wages there have long been less than na what
they are here it is well knownthat the disparity now ~
greater than ever, with our general range OF prices sun
bearing the same proportion to the price OF labor -
Admission markets is, therefore, the ann OF all
course to take our high priced for their cheaper goods
AS we cannot obtain supply equal TO value OF Two
no% anshs om ali The world we nuns.
system Of manufacturing able to furnish a. least
four 6fths Of our wants II is conclusion from
mods manufactured the cheapest rate at which they
be made here, and Of the best quality we must give
support 70 home industry Our manufacturers have
made such progress In their several arts enables
conhde In their ability to meet adequately all wants and
all tastes They have already far surpassed their foreign
can soon equal them in all II fairly sustained.
These remarks are not offered with the object Of
cardsd from TIA. ' point Of view Il as well known As
any other fact that the rate Of wages is moro than
double high here in Europe It Is known that
working classes have more power to exact high wages
hero than they have there It il not necessary to
discuss the question TO the proprety Of their exsrcis
OF political system Acting upon that, they demand
and are receiving daily wages at these high rates
1ao or psop have Ons 20
higher compensation for labor than il given elsewhere
Interested parties At home, who were consumers and not
willing to pay the enhanced prices for commodities cor
responding the Of labor declared favor Of pa
e. % Se ~ops
sis1, By ax,ng such duties on foreign com m
mestic manufacturers to equality in our markets 1t
did not seem TO be understood that it was mainly
il two manufacturers Of the same article beside each
other and looking to the Market one OF whom can
Obtain labor at less than half what paid by the Other
profit and take all tho business Il Is just as clear that
makes only the difference Of transportation, If the
cheap labor is ut three thousand miles distance Tho
hardship TO the working man and the employers is not
less TO be crushed by cheap labor thousands OF miles
away than IN tho same city, The evil to the country is
Tho rigid principle Of international trade should be-
that all things being taken into account the working
should by proper precau cas- and legislation BIO
placed in fair and strict competition in each others
markets Even this principle would very often operate
save citizens from injury in cases Of emergency
In every country the welfare OF the people, and espe
cIay Of the working classes is far higher considera
tion than cheapness
THE FIRST CONSIDERATION OF NATIONAL Foley.
At all times and In all circumstances the first con-
interest Of tho citizen If 1t be the best interest of
people that wages shall be reduced, that end will
products Of foreign cheap labor without ievying
duties sufficient to countenct the difference In the cost
1t cannot be done, however, without producing such
competition disastrous II touches the quick every
interest Of employer and workmanthc living and labor
of the poor Much less the country endure 1t with
out serious injury TO its productive power In the long
struggle TO which our 1uctuang policy on this subject
exposed our industry it has often happened that the
influx Of cheap goods has injured theproducng classes
for the temporary benefit OF other classes, TO the
amount Of hundreds Of millions in year. 1t must
with unsteady and variable commercial and industrial
policy for the last fifty years that our revenue, exter
domestic Industry IS to undergo hereafter the same vara
bio and mistaken course The question should not DO
merely what rate Of duty shall DO imposed on this or
that commodity, but what duties and what regulations
will our working classes from such competition
must be oppressive to them and injurious TO the country
II consumption Of certain articles DO fifty dollars
yearly for each person the importation below home
cost Of quantity equal to ton dollars for each person
mons and ureyen II The Of quantity bow
ever much needed by consumers, equal to twenty or
more dollars for each person.
The mschics OF s irregularity Is intensified BY other
peculiar characteristics of our foreign trade The peo
pie large consumers our prices havo always ruled
high our nrs sesn ,se m snx
In the world Thor determination 10 avail themselves
Of these advantages shown by perseverng efforts TO
sell goods here TO evade fiscal regulations and TO
misead our custom house officers at any hazard But
We are not only large consumers Of goods, selected and
iho top Of ali these we are stuffed to more than
repet!on with foreign commodities thrust upon us
osssS every S' thousand do"qs worth 0" of
goods petetea and imported for our use, arc
prhss another ."c,on Us a1 81
selves and prevent the market from being wholly broken
down. As u Is now, our foreign trade Is the masters 1t
controls and 0vorrdes what Is Its way. II Should DO
thoroughly controlled and mado subscrvicn TO national
Interests and considerations.
be conducted upon abstract propositions unbendng
rules than the trade between individuals what is for
the real benefit Of the people Of each nation should con-
first look after the interests OF its people; should
that no harm comes TO them from within or from
without and the highest interests OF all nations can
only atLllnel by policy which best each
EXCHANGE or COMMODITIES.
France and Great Britain after long efforts TO obtain
advantage Of each other trade or smuggling sat down
together like two sensible merchants to consider how far
they could exchange commodities without injury to their
respective people, and, after patent aud careful
change Of Views and examination OF their respective
productions and wants occupying years. they agreed
upon the terms Of their future trade carefully consider
ing what benefits could be attained on both sides aud
xiousy shutting out that competition which might
prove injurious to Industry either side. Both parties
conservative. II was study OF mutual benefit be-
who understood the respective interests at
stake. IL was not hastily nor unskiially done.
This great measure, cautiously and carefully per.
fected with reference 10 tho internal industry Of each
nation has boon emncnty successful II Is one OF the
most important lessons upon international trade ever
given 10 the world IL teaches nations not TO rely upon
the gcncaliies Of their respective tariffs, but to study
together how far their respective interests may be pro-
NOTED by mutual trade In which nothing injurious
their industries should be conceded, and every
thing allowed which could he mutual benefit In such
party, the irst step part would be to oar
laborng classes and their wages and OF other inter-
es which might be endangered.
The fact that as a manufacturing people cannot
compete with the cheap labor Of Europe and Asia, Is
often mentioned reproachfully II in dsparagemcnt of
activity, capacity, or enterprise such re-
preach exhibits want Of consideration. All manuac
tuning nations have certain branches In which, owing
peculiar circumstances thoy excel hut in regard the
whole range Of those productions which most nccos.
sary 10 civilized liic no nation exces ours and In fact
very few como near ~ In the Substitution Of machi
merry all others far behind u.s. and progress
this respect Is far more rapid than Is TO b,
seen elsewhere. II Is rcproach, does II
furnish sembsncc Of rcproach that cannot work
chcaply, nor manufacture cheapy Is done In most
other countries. Is reproach 10 that pay for
days labor from two Ia four times much paid
In Europe. II j. credit 10 other nations that they
pay but onc-iourth onehrd much for day labor
A. IL paid here.
The simple and nicigble fact that II Is labor which
constitutes from oneourth 10 three fourhs OF the cost
Of much the largest portion OF the commodities pro
ducod every country Is that should finally solve
the whole question Of competition II Is not desirable
that wages In this country should he reduced 10 the
European standard Three-fsurths OF our people arc