New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-05-20
rHR SAGES IN COHNCIL.

TIKI SAGES IN COUNCIL
The small cOterie of schoolmasters and min
listers which met recently somewhere In the
upper part of the city to instruct Congress
upon the proper modes of adjusting taxation
enjoy qualifications for their high task which
are not to be overlooked, though they may by
some DO despised Several of them have ex-
pended the energies of long and valuable
life in filling the somewhat ornamental but
perfectly respectable position of Professor OF
Political Economy in college. In that super
numerary ayocaton their minds have been
trained in acumen and modesty by constapt
undisputed dictation to the brightest youth OF
our land. They have lecturcd young men OF
from fifteen to twenty years relative to those
doctrines of taxation and tariff in which the
Youthful mind takes such profound interest
and has such extended sources Of information
The great minds Of these pedagogues have
thus been brought daily into exciting and Keen
conclusion with the far-seeing vision of their
pupils upon questions the most profound in
statesmanship, and involving the greatest num-
Der OF unknown quantities and of facts and
propostions which are more easily ignored
than understood
The weekly receipt and disbursement Of n
moderate salary in a secluded New-England
village quickens the intellectual apprehension
of the Professor upon questions of finance. His
mind is not disturbed, like the minds of our men,
bers of Congress, by Populations and committees
of Importers, Manufacturers, Jobbers, Miners,
Railroad Presidents, Bankers Farmers, Plant
ers, Free-Trade Leagues, and Protective
Leagues, all wrestling and contending with
i A. l. fhau fhnir
and diversified information relative to the
wants, sufferings, struggles, dangers, and
necessities of the several branches of industry
by which they live. Such an experience for
one session would crowd upon the mind OF a
college professor more facts than he could ar
range into a system in IA lifetime. Very likely
it would make him skeptical of his dearest
theories, to sustain which he was placed in his
chair, and bis skepticism would cost him his
place. 1t is well therefore that, basking in
the rural quiet of our country villages, and de-
veloped by daily intercourse with the average
minds of the rising generation, we have men
whose habits and pursuits qualify them TO in-
struct Congress upon questions OF revenue and
finance by exempting them from all practical
connection with business of any kind, and es-
pecially with politics and legislation. These
sages of the closet prick the bubble OF Ma
poleon's craftsmanship with an aphOrism.
They demolish Clay and Webster with conf
passionate smile. They will inform you COM
placently of the particular page or paragraph
in their nursery rhymes which explodes all
the doctrines Of all the statesmen who have
eve; passed tariff laws. What wonder that the
great gre Il end deep things q ta7 'SuH question
are hid from the wise and prudent and re-
vealed unto these babes
The clergymen who participate in this move
ment instruct us that nations, like individuals,
get rich (Which they probably regard as
great misfortune, since money is the root OF
all evil) by the excess of their generosity over
their selAshness. Their text is; "Cast your
dbread upon the waters" LET every one seek
0not his own but anothers wealth" Those
who perceive this relative to individuals must
SEQ the advantagesof Free Trade as generous,
unselnsh international policy over Protection,
which, in a spirit of mere nationalsm, seeks to
develop the industry of this country at the ex-
pense of others. They will also tell us how
our dependence upon foreign countries for that
which we could produce here tends to preserve
the peace by incapacitating us for war-as the
fupitiyes from the draft during the Rebellion
shot off their thumbs to avoid fighting.
We shall scrutinize the pretenslons OK these
financial prophets with some interest, and if
from any of their number light should shine
greater than has yet shone, we shall announce
the fact, so that the people may be happy.