The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-15
CACKLlNG OF THE GEESE.

from inc ". J. NCFU.
The old story that Rome was saved from
destruction by outside baTbarians in conse
quence of the timely warning uttered bv the
bird which, up to that time, was not generally
supposed to be the emblem of wisdom, has
had recently fresh illustration in our own
times. The sapient body which STYLES itself
the Chamber of Commerce. on whose deci
sions so much OF our commercial prosperity
depends, fearing lest the total disappearance
of the interest which it is popularly supposed
to represent may cause it to become to the
ordinary apprehension what for long time
it has been really-not a name only, but the
very shadow OF one-came together IN solemn
conclave and decided there and then that
something must be done to revivify our shat
tered commerce, and to prevent the Chamber
of Commerce itself from finding its serious
occupation wholly gone The free-traders-
those terrible agitatOrs who have been making
so much noise of late-are teaching the per-
nicious doctrine that, in order to place the
American ship-owner on an equality with
the Englishman, German, and Frenchman
so far as the carrying trade is con-
cerned, the purchase of vessels in the
cheapest market and then free admission to
American registry must be conceded. The
Chamber OF Commerce, anxious to save the
country from the ruin which would be
brought upon it by the free-traders-wh in
this case represent the Goths Vandals, slaves
of British gold, agents of ''disloyal' press,
or whatever the case may behave cackled
loudly that such step, which at first blush
seems one Of the simplest justice, must never
be allowed, but that the true remedy lies in
a little more Of DR.. Sangrado's practical
trihe more or less, it makes no difference of
blood-letting and hot water Pacific railroads
have been encouraged; why not Pacific lines?
Vast sums have been spent to benefit private
interests; why not call on Congress to do a
little more business of this kind, in order to
make the owners of few steamship lines
happy and comfortable, and to cause the
country to thrill with delight at the thought
of the Star-Spangled Banner floating from the
mast head of vessels of American build, and
the Englishman and Frenchman and German
gnawing their vitals with mingled feelings of
jealousy and rage!
We have every respect for the members
who compose the Chamber of Commerce;
but, seriously speaking, IS 1t not humiliating
that an association which is presumed to keep
the question of commerce under the most
careful consideration should have no other
remedy to suggest for the re-establishment of
this PROSTATE industry than the granting of
subsidies-the putting of private hands into
the already depleted public pocket-which is
merely an attempt to make atonement for an
existing form Of injustice by the creation of
new one!
Instead of attacking the tariff which has
protected the American ship-builders out
of existence and the American ship-owner
into watery grave; instead of pointing to
the unjust and oppressive laws which dis
criminate against our own citizens and
actually favor the foreigner, the Chamber of
Commerce declaims about grants" and walls
over ''disloyal' and ''anti- American" press,
and aflirms that, if any movement is made in
| the direction of subsidies, there is always OPP
| position to it. OF course there is. 1t is the
duty of the press to raise it's voice against
any wastetul expenditure of the peoples
money; and the subsidizing of particular
lines of vessels is no less wrong than is the
legislation which has destroyed the lines
which previously existed.
We desire TO point ont to these gentlemen,
and TO those who have our commercial inte-
rests at heart, that there is but one legitimate
way of restoring our commerce and of re-
covering share Of the carrying trade between
this country and foreign ports, and that is a
modification of the tariff to a revenue basis
and absolute freedom of trade in the purchase
of ships. To resort to subsidies would only
add to the ruinous competition to which
American shipowners are already subiected;
aAd, as the subsidies which it is proposed to
pay must be taken out of the pockets of the
peeps, the net result would be that we should
tax the whole country, with the effec of tmaking
our uniostunate shipping interest worse of
than ever.
} THE CURRENCY QUESTION AND CON
FTom the NJ Y. Herald
In view Of the Movements in the West and