Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-03-28
.u1npnnrAnr MovEMENr.

AN IMPORTANT mOVkmkNt'
We have all read, within the past two
or three years, great deal concerning
Union Leagues, and Loyal Leagues.
In the South they are not fancied' as
they are supposed, and justly, to be the
hinge. upon which the Radical party
opens and shuts. These Leagues have
only two principles, the loayes and the
fishes. To secure them, it ispolicy to keep
the South in military chains Wo' comes
10 the man who dares to question the
justness Of any act OF these secret organ
izations. Whoever does so, is at once
denounced as Copperhead and a rebel
But, in the good time Of Providence an
other League appears upon the surface
of politics-"The American Free Trade
League" 1t was not organized in the
South, but owes its origin to New York,
and is presided over byWm. CullenBryant
with David Dudley Field and otherprom-
iuent Republicans, as Vice Presidents.
Bryant is editor ofthe New York Erenfng
Post was, before the war, free trade
Democrat, and has been, since 1861,
among the most influential Radical poll
licians In the organization of this
League, we think we can detect the be-
ginning Of revolution. All the old
Democrats of the North, who went of
upon the abolition inundation, will re.
turn to the flag Of Free Trade. This
League
Holds that every man has natu-
raj right to sell the produce OF his labor
to those who will give the most for it, and
to exRend the proceeds in the way which
he himself may judge most serviceable;
and that just as the total denial of this
right constitutes slavery, so a partial de-
NAL thereof is partial enslavement
Acquiesces in taxation and duties lev
led to meet the needs of Government, but
denounces as pure robbery and tyranny,
all taxation for the benefit of special
classes.
Holds that, one of the truest and most
comprehensive means of preventing pau
perism, is to remove all obstruction in
the way of the free exchange of the pro-
duce of labor; and to allow men to pur-
sue their own welfare in their own way,
so long as they do not infringe upon the
rights of others.
That the Protective System" is
form of ignorant national selhshness
which defeats its own ends; that it is
contrary to the wise and benefcent laws
of Providence; that it partakes of the
odious and iniquitous peculiarities which
distinguish class legislation; and that
it is fertile source of social, sectional
and international discord.
That the Protective System" diverts
capital and labor from the most efficient
occupations to others proved to be less
efficient, by their need OF artificial sup
port that it results in waste; that it
Injuries the Protected" classes by d.
minishing their markets, and by the
fluctuations and incertitude which at
tend it
That the more we import, the more we
encourage home industry, on account of |
the employment it finds in producing |
commodities to exchange for those which |
we receive,
That people is most enriched by en-
gaging in those occupations for which it
possesses advantages over other coun--
tries, and exchanging its productions for
those for which those countries possess
over itself
That free trade with all the world will
conduce to the highest interests Of our
country, and that this policy is pre-smi-
nently worthy of the American people,
who should be foremost in breaking down
all restrictive barriers, social and com
mercial