The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-21

enioycd an amazing run OF good luck, and
should be willing now to share the disCOmtOrts
of depression. They had the double advantage
OF protective duties aud limtless demand, and
should now share with iOrtitude the embarrass-
ments which others have borne from the begin
mng Of The war. The handsome profits of the
past ought TO be remembered in abatement OF
the losses OF the present. Aud when Congress
is a. ked TO enact tariff with especial refer
ence to the enrichment Of few manufacturers,
it cannot, without moral cTiminality forget the
yet stronger cla'ms OF the great body of the
people, whose prayer is not for the protection
winch means high prices aud high profits, but
for protection against the prOhlbitionists.
There is, indeed an inexplicable unwilling
ness on the part of the friends o. an inflated
currency and the petitioners for prohibitory
tariffs to recognize the results that must follow
the termination of the war. They would have
things go on forever exactly as they went dur
ing the excitement of the conflict. They refuse
to see that much of the material activity was
abnormal and that the activity born of ofspecula-
tiOn was in the nature of things more or less
fictitious. They will not admit that with the
return of peace must come q readjustment of
finance, industry and business, TO a degree
called for by the altered circumstances of the
country. Thoughtful intelligent men, one
might think, would appreciate the significance
of the change, and realize the folly OF attempt
ing TO arrest it by acts Of Congress. Prudent
men might be expected moreover, to prepare
iOr che levulsion, ana thus strip it of its ter
rOrs, stead of shOuting to the Congressional
refusal to push forward the contraction of the
currency may postpone speculative disaster,
but viii assureGly intensity its perils and en-
large the sphere OF its effect. And though the
enactment of prohibitory duties may Temporal
rlly augn ent the profits Of the few it will so
cripple and iniure the many that the benefit
obtained by the manufacturers will be rather
apparent than real.
The eXpediency of justice could not be more
oppoTtunely pressed upon Congress than now.
There is neither wisdom nor equity in the Crv
for legislation with the view of satisfying and
beneftlng special interests. Such legislation
will be illusory, if attempted, and will ulti-
mately produce q reaction from which these
special interests will be the first to suffer-
The general public may be less demonstra-
tive than the principals of the lobby, but they
have rights which Congress ought not TO over
look, and interests which no majority can afford
TO neglect.
They call for a reduction in prices, which
means a steady march in the direction of hard
money, and Tor fair play i'm the midst Of diff
Culties; which means a rejection of schemes
tending to aggrandize special at the cost of
general interests. Instead of higher tariffs,
they ask for reduced taxation to the extent of
the hundred millions which Mr.. Wells has
shown to be annually available. BY providing
for this lessenIug of the burden, in conjunction
with coItraction policy, Congress will do more
to promote the general veal than by the most
ingenious attempt to bolster UP particular manu-.
taCturers. In the one case the many will be
sacrificed; in the other, the few will share the
relief which all will experience. That is the
difference between monopoly and justice.