The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-07-22

of excessive impOrtations and the extraVa-
gance of the people, which drains not
Only the specie from the country, but
which causes, as well, our bonds to be
sent abroad in great quantities to pay for
these iupoTtations This state of things
will keep the people of the United States
laboring, and their noses TO the grind
stone, for the benefit of foreign capitalists
Whenever a crisis comes our bonds will
be sent back from Europe, and cause
great trouble to the government and
country.
In referring to the depressed condition
and decline of American shipping and
shipping interests, Mr.. Fillmore thinks
the duties on shipbuilding materials
should be removed or greatly modified.
This would set our shipy ards at work, aid
increase our mercantile marine. Nor
should our merchants be prevented under
the present circumstances, from building
or buying ships abroad. The great thing
now is to revive our mercantile marine,
and to increase our tonnage so IS TO get
good share, st least, of the profits of the
carrying trade, which is now monpolized
by England and other countries. For this
purpose, the registry laws ought to be re-
pealed. While on this subject, and the sub
| ject of protection in general, he remarked
that his views had somewhat changed, or
/ rather that the changed circumstances Of
the country require different policy to
that pursued years ago. He had been q
protectionist, and had in 1912, as chairman
of the Committee of WAYS and Means Of
Congress, reported the tariff bill which
was then passed, and which was protective
in Its character. But since that time the
manufactures of the country had been
put on good footing, were able to
stand alone with such incidental protec-
ton as government necessity and cOnven-
lent home markets would afford, and there
ought no longer to be restrictions upon
trade and tax upon the whole cOmmunl-
ty for the benefit of few. England has
modified her policy In this respect, ana 1t
| is the part of craftsmanship to adopt meas
ures to suit the varying circumstances OF
the times. Hence Mr. Filliaore, who was
once a protectionist, now favors free
trade.
On the question Of Cuba and the action
of the Government, Mr. Fillmore is con-
servative. While admitting that the con-
dition of things in Cuba aud with regard
to the struggle there for independence is
| different from the filbustering movement
during his administration, when ne had
to enforce the neutrality laws agaist Gen.
Quitman and others, yet he says the ad-
ministration of Gen. Grant has only one
course of duty to pursue, and that is to
execute the laws. We may sympathize
with the Cubans and desire the acqulsi-
ton of Cuba, but q great lation should
act honorably in performing its obiiga.
tons to friendly powers. This is sound
in principle, undoubtedly, but all great
nations strain point in such cases on the
side of their own interests or of popular
feeling. Indeed, when important national
interests are involved, and particularly
when there is question of national eX.
pansi0n or increase of power, all great
powers act upon the principle OF seit-in
terest.
After nearly. two hours conversation on
these topics, and finding l had occupied
the time of the ex-President up to his din
ner hour @ o'clock, apOlogized, and
| left.