Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-01-26
John Bright on Protection and Free Truie.
RoCHEDALE, Dec. 2, 1865.

ltOCHEDALE, Dec. =, 100.
"Dear Sir:-I do not recoect any paper di-
recly bearing on the question of wages. The
ialacy was made great use OF in our move
ment for the repeal of the corn laws-honestly
by some men, and dishonesty by oilers. The
real argument against it is this: Free trade al
ways means great trade, and great trade always
means a great demand for labor, and this al
ways means and necessitates high rate of wa
ges. At this moment wages are higher than at
any former period in this country--than at any
period at least, within our recollection. 1t is
SO through all our manufacturing districts, al
though the length of the days labor is much
shorter. 1t is so also with our farm laborers.
In many counties their wages have risen from
twenty-five TO fifty per cent, since 1916, when
our agriculture was subjected to the compei-
ton of all the world.
"The aborers in America are taxed enor-
mously in the purchase of many articles, par
ticuarly in their clothing Americans and
Englshmen going from England to America
now supply themselves with clothing to last
them for years; they buy il for about half the
price it would cost in the States, and thus with
draw their trade from the American manutacu-
rers, and escape the payment of the extrava-
giant duties in the American ports
"Protection to the mancfacturers iron and
cloth in America may, and doubtless will, en-
rich some of them but it is by contribution
from the whole people TO those engaged in
these particular branches of indusNy. This
system will encourage the investment of capital
in the protected trades, and it will tend to dead
en- industry and invention in those States and
} whatever is gained on the one hand is far more
than lost on the other.
"When the tariff question is fairly before the
, American people, the truth will be discovered.
| ~, n1a iart If for
, enue on oil great articles of import by which
incidentally some protection may be unavoda'
: bly, Afforded to some branches of manufacture
but they will not long consent TO sustain branch
es OF industry too feeble to sustain thems selves
out of the taxes, not levied for the service o
the government, but extorted from them by the
Y protective fallacy for the exclusive benefit o.
{ manufacturers, forming a small portion of theil
whole population.
e at should be remembered, also, that the ex
= ira profit, il any, given to the ironmasters ant
manufacturers loes not go TO their workmen
II may increase the dividends of the companie
or corporations, but it does not seGsibly rais
the wages of their workmen for the wages o
e their workmen are determined by the genera
: rule of labor throughout all the States, and ar
|, not affected in any important or measureab
J. degree by the profits made by the various man
= ufacturing corporations.
e "lf there be profit in protection or monopoly
10 and there often is, the workman's share is non
at ALL or so little as to be imperceplible.
1t corporation working a very profitable pateu
e pays no more wages to workmen than a neigh
a boring corporation carrying on a trade not pro
a, tected by patent, and whilst monopoly ma
IS enrich those who possess and enjoy il, it car
not affect advantagcousy The interests and wa
ID ges of the workmen. The workman's safet
h, and success depend upon the extent of trad
l. and the greatness fthe demand for labor; an
ID far above any possible interest they can have
he | speak of the waole body of workmen in III
United States, or in any other country-an
IN special protection 10 any trade or in the ioste
of ing and pampering of any perlicular manuia'
sy ture is the great interest they have in that pc
a feet freedom of trade which creates the grea
is est demand for labor, and gives the highe
rt value to their skill and industry.
iy Nlt is interesting to see the old fallacy, ON
da so potent in this country now dead and buri'
in hope and belief for ever, reappearing with
or new life in the United States. a land where Il
en- superslitions of old Europe have not general
nd found Gongenal home.
ITS "Happily for The Americans, this question