New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-08
FREE TRADE MEETING.

On Saturday afternoon well-attended meet
ing Of merchants and Others of this city who opposed
TO the protective policy OF the present tariff held at
the Merchants Exchange and News Rooms No 80 Pine
ST. The meeting was called to order at o'clock, when
Mr.. James NJ. Brown was called to the chair, and Mr.
Charles II. Marshall acted Secretary. The Chairman
stated the object OF the meeting announced in the CALL
TO BIO TO devise means Of support for the efforts now
being made to overthrow the present irrational and
just tariff and thereby to lessen the Of the neces
Of the principal merchants OF the city, who Endorsed
fully the object OF the meeting.
said he had been called on for few remarks in regard to
the dongs Of the Free Trade League of who'll he and his
young men who not Influenced by personal or
political considerations the only object In their view was
the prosperity OF their common country and they were
Republicans and Democrats, Conservatives and Radicals
Their only interest was in the question of free com
the belief that protective policy" directly tends to the
Tqn Of all 1ds and S to the rent
trade the right OF exchanging the productions OF the
country for those Of other countries to be as essential as
liberty Under the protective system dissatisfaction,
temptations and crimes had followed Hence they were
called upon TO redress these great evils to remove the
system Of the past. Other important questions which
had long been before the public were now settled; the
question Of free trade was the question Of the future
was undergoing changes no longer than few days ago
large free trade meeting had been held in Indianapolis,
and in Massachusetts public opinion progressing on
TINS question In Boston, as well as here an association
trnde Mr. VIM Lloyd Garrison was to be the champion
OF their cause Association great engine wherewith
TO operate upon pubc opinion No attempt need be made
to convert tie politicians they not guided always
by their convictions The people should be convinced
as TO them to rise and require repeal OF the
false system Of protection force They should CO.
operate with the Free Trade League in order bring
public opinion TO demand the repeal and Remuneration OF
the protective system.
MI. David Dudley Field was the next speaker. lie de-
fined free trade the right to sell where the best prices
be obtained and TO buy where goods be bought
the cheapest All laws TO the contrary were directed
against free trade-against American principles. The
new Administration had opened new era; the new Pres
dent having pierced the lines OF the politicians as he
broke through the eDemys lines at Petersburg had thus
put himself In direct contact with the people, and would
execute their will He had appointed to the most respon-
mercial ibertyBr. a. stewart-and who it to be
hoped would remain in Office TO promote economy and to
every burden from the country that could be
taken of lie trusted that the friends Of free trade
would redoube their efforts to enghten the people, be-
cause il the great question OF freedom OF industry were
understood by the people Congress would Immediately
yield To their demands.
After ITO close OF Mr. Fields remarks, which met with
warm applause Mr. Robert b. Mntun presented the fol-
Ro!rsd Th. free trade 10y which exemption from tara
tor except 80 "a. ss nay be neets'a 20 .y ih debt and dy he
% 3 $ S s !Gi t Tie suS
pd o l.: p free 1s ra @Ss' to The
op Nth tie aSSesa FlsS Trade League promoting t5s object.
protective system might be. IT sefevdent that II
would never come TO an end unless an effort made 20
I
s done under the protective SYSTEM 1t was unjust
the poor. who had suffered in consequence Notwth
standing the mdness Of the Winter, larger number OF
demands aid had been made 10y the poor than ever
before Tho reaFon Of this was that although wages
NcTa higher. they had not advanced in the
same proportion as the prices OF The ,neees
saiics OF living. This wrong should be re-
moved. and 10 do 70 help needed. Their object
was 10 have which should take little rs pos
sblc from the pockets ~ tile people. and st suffice Il
dCfray the Government EXPENSE The bulk or the rev
now raised from taxes placed on Is articles
willie there 1000 articles on the taxable list n
the latter could be released from taxation without Loss
a. m. revenue. 10 would be an immense Improvement
Tho resolutions 81 Sir. II. were unanimously adopted
M bdhiOn Sands said that IL was proposed To send
lecturers 20 the West and that they would require 10 be
paid. 1he following subscriptions then offered BY
gentlemen present W A. Marshall $500 PObert Il. Min
tuIu, lr. $500 Thomas Holland, tlOO. VIM. Jessup
sons, t.. ". H. Morgan, $50; Jas NJ Brown, $1,000 Al
fred Psl IT,. f.3O. Henry W. and r. Maey * Co, $500
Daniel Rogers CO. Louis Wiudmuller Rocker, 500
&c 4 Poor Man" e, Ficimau & Co.. $3.50; Henry Dickm
fon 800 Chns Congfcye Son. 500; I. b. Ncrrck Co.
tlo. j. L. Miller SiJF Cartwright Harrison, 500.
Tire following Committee provided for 10y the rcsoln
tois was Hrpulgiod by Tie Chairman: Howard Potter
Geo Cabot Ward, Robert 49, Muturn elias. II. Marshall
N.hlou sands. Mr.. Chas H. Marshall was nominated a
the Tc1suttr ~ the Association and that further con
button. might De sent 10 him. No. - Burlmgsp. An ad
dress " to the American people" omb0dying the Views
expressed n tie speeches given above distributed
among tho audience. The meeting adjourned subject q
the call ~ tie char.