The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-06-03
Protection a Failure.

Il
Of free trade, or an unrestricted inter
change Of commodities between nations.
Such policy would seem to be in per-
feet accord with the laws of trade,
which laws have their origin in the
wants Of man. One community or one
nation cannot supply all its own demands
and necessities The laws of climate,
soil, &C., forbid it, and hence the neces-
sity of an interchange Of commodities (;
and this interchange is what is called
trade or commerce between nations.
Agriculture, commerce and manufac.
lures are the great leading interests of
tho world, mutually dependent upon
and supported by each other; and if
left free and untrammeled 10 their re-
spective spheres, confer reciprocal bene-
fits. Special legislation in behalf of
any one Of them, works only detriment
to the rest. To stimulate one by spe.
eial enactments is to depress the others
A is farmer and produces the staff of
life. B is a mechanic and manufactures
the implements which A needs in the
culture of his farm These implements
he exchanges with A for the produc-
tons Of his farm, which are necessary
for the sustenance Of himself and family.
But, instead Of a simple exchange of
one value for another between A and
B, they are both required to pay pit
lance to G for the privilege of making
the exchange. This pittance is the
tariff, and to that extent the earnings
ofboth are lessened This is a plain H.
lustratiou of the operation of a tariff, SO
plain as to be within the comprehen-
sion Of the humblest intellect. Instead
ola protection to industry it is a check
to it, and restriction upon trade,
wherever imposed.
Revenue is essential to defray the
expenses Of government, and tariff for
revenue was assented to in times past,
in preference to direct taxation, as a
less objectionable mode of raising sufh.
Gent revenue for government purposes.
Such tariff was light, and scarcely felt
by the people. But higher tariff was
demanded, under the specious plea Of
protection to American industry"
The idea was Incorporated into the
tenets of great political party, and the
American SYSTEM" was upheld by the
splendid genius of a Clay, and the pro.
found logic Of a Webster, both OF whom
had the power "to make the worse
appear the better reason A high
tariff was enacted, speeiously called a
protective tariff" In time a still
higher tariff was eaacted, which amount
cd to prohibition, in some respects
Commerce languished as a natural con-
sequence of prohibitory duties, and the
shipping interest has been almost de-
stroycd. From having the largest com.
mercial marine in the world, our ton
mage has dwindled down to that of
fourth rate power. Ship building has
been almost abandoned and thousands
of Industrious mechanics and sea. faring
men, have been thrown cut of employ
ment. aProtcction" is not-only mis-.
homer, it is failure. And thousands
now begin to see it, who never saw it
before. Hence the revival Of free trade
opinions and the establishment of free
trade leagues in all our great CONNER
cial centres. Our public debt aud the
current government expenditures have
grown 50 great, that "a tariff for rcve.
nue." is no longer thought Of Direct
taxation, such as no people ever before
endured, is upon us. And, as a tariff
was devised to prevent direct taxation,
because Of the unpopularity Of that mode
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