The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-11
RELIGION OF FREE TRADE.


Lecture Of Rev. Henry Blanchard Before the
FREQ Trade League.
Dodworth's Studio Buildings, corner OF Twenty.
sixth street and Fifth avenue, did not present very
natterng assemblage, as regards numbers at least,
to listen to the expounding OF the Religion OF Free
Trade" before the American Free Trade League by
the Rev. Henry Blanchard, OF Brooklyn. David
Dudley Field, one Of the presidents Of the league,
called the meeting to order, and after congratu-
lating the league on the success that had thus far
attended Its efforts through addresses and discus
sions in making their views and aims known to the
public, introduced the lecturer 10 the audience.
Mr.. Blanchard, after indicating In few
Introductory remarks his sympathy with the free
trade movement as making Itself known and felt
In this country, and appreciation Of the eanestness,
conscienousness and ability shown In the manner Of
pushing forward this movement, defined the mean
ing OF free trade. There were he felt assured many
who dstrust the old policy OF government inter
ference with trade, but who because Of IuscoDcep-
tion OF the phrase free trade, are unwilling TO call
themselves free traders 1t could easily be shown
that free trade teaches men TO recognize supreme
Being whom they are TO worship, love and obey. IL
was, therefore, he urged, religious. lie here dwcIt
on the sneers OF those who do not comprehend how
the question Of freedom, applied 10 trade, can
be one OF philanthropy. lie ridicued also the
talk about British gold, and referred to Gerrit
smith, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Bright, John
Stuart Mil and others " no advocate free trade NJ
earnest huinanitarians. The opponents OF free
trade, he urged, were going TO throw dust In the
eyes OF the people They say that the legitimate re-
suit OF free trade IL TO do away with ali govern
ments, all schools, all social restraints. TO hear
many OF these ono would suppose that all free
traders would have no taxes raised and police
force maintained. Defining free trade, he would say
that IL not necessarily opposition revenue tariff
Governments must exist They must be supported.
Taxes must be raised. 10 IL an open question with
many which Ia the best way to raise the needed
revenue. revenue tariff may be the simplest and
best way to reach the desired end. lie believed IL
would be better to do away with all custom houses.
The question q taxation was however, an intricate
one. 1t lay outside the question OF free trade He was
anxious TO have his brother free traders who had not
yet reached clear convictions concerning the best
way Of supporting government clearly under
stand that their present advocacy OF q revenue
tarif separated them from prohibitlonsts who call
themselves protect0niss, and that II did not make
them dis0yal to freedom. lie was protectonist
only few years ago, but his conviction was daily
deepening that the only province OF government Is
therefore for unpreJudced study OF this protection
question. He deprecated the Americanism which
talks Of building up America regardless OF the rest
OF the world. America, he insisted, needs freedom
OF trade TO entte her TO be called tho "h0me OF the
free.n Free trade was not hostility to law. They
wanted liberty-llberty regulated by law. Having
defined what Tree trade IL not he proceeded 10 denne
what II is. IL was that condition OF affairs in which
any human being may freely exchange has own
services or commodities for the rvlces or commo-
dlties OF any other human being IN any part or the
world In other words free trade gives perfect free.
dom of exchange with al mankind. Vie here drew
picture OF great city, It's Inhabitants sleeping
while the railroads. and markctinen were bringing
their food. he also drew q vivid picture Of the
great exchanges going on between various
nations, Of SHIPS with teas aud cofees and
sugars and silks and pictures and statues,
and called On hls hearers 10 consider the
beauty OF these movements of freedom. He then
pointed 0us sv.ne oi tne lnseriescnces VI Hoyeln'