The New York herald., 1869-03-07
OPPOSITION TO TIE PRESENT TARIFF.

OPPOSITION TO TIE PRESENT TARIFF.
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Meeting of Merchants md Business Men OPP
posing Continuance of the Protective Policy
The Addresses, Resolutions and Subscrip-
lions Received.
Pursuant TO o call to which were appended the
names OF large number Of leading merchants and
business men Of the city there was quite large
gathering at three p NJ yesterday at the Merchants
Exchange and News Room No. so Pine street, to-
as said the call-.devise means OF support for the
efforts now being made to overthrow the present
irrational and unjust tariff, and thereby to lessen the
cost OF the necessities OF life."
Mr.. Alfred Pell called the meeting to order and
moved the appointment or Mr.. James N. Brown as
president OF the meeting who was at chosen as
presiding officer. Mr.. Charles H. Marshall was Sc
ected as secretary. and twelve gentlemen whose
names were signed to the CALL were duly appointed
as vice presidents.
The Chairman read the call OF the meeting and
then briefly explained Its object, after which he
called on Mr.. william Cullen Bryant who, In re-
sponse, made the Introductory speech. He referred
first to the Free Trade League Club, and said was
organized mainly by young men who had enlisted
their energies the side OF free trade with an enthu-
sasm natural to their time OF life This organization
he caiped was cQmparatiyely helpless without the
t6opefatlve support II the mefcka6t5 and Business
men OF the city to furnish the required means to
carry to successful completion the objects for which
they were laborng. This club had an accomplished
lecturer-a man OF persuasive eloquence-urging at
different points throughout the country their views
There was need OF other lecturers and corps OF col
pnrteurs and additional tracts to aid them in their
work to effect repeal or the present unjust laws.
This was no political scheme q repubIcans @ or
parties alike The public at large were interested in it
as involving the great question Of commercial
was universally disastrous TO the working
classes. They took their stand on this broad
ground-it was the duty OF every man to oppose the
present sO-caed protective policy with all the ener
gy he possed. They should combat It as they would
cholera. or yellow fever; 1t was destructive,
trade the right Of everybody to the product Of his
own industry In the same catalogue with the free
dom OF the press, the freedom OF public meetings and
religious liberty. He dwelt upon the destitutl0n OF
the working class and the painful fruits Of such
desttution 1t was their duty to interfere to break
to restore the commercial and industrial freedom OF
the good old days OF the past. For this .pur-
pose the Free Trade League was organlzea n
question OF the tme-the great question OF the
future Other questions had been settled. It was
was glad TO see that there were most encouraging
indications throughout OF growing public opinion
IN their favor. as instanced in late meeting at
Boston OF Free Trade League Club ike the one in
this city. There was no use to try and convince
politicians on this subject. Politicians would not
act on their CONVICTIONS as shown In the recent
votes on the Copper bill in Congress. They must
ity with zeal with determination to carry their bont
and demand repeal OF the present tariff system, and
act to aid the Free Trade League have the existing
forever.
Mr.. David Dudley Field was the next speaker.
After what they had just heard from one Of the Oldest
and most enthusiastic advocates OF freetrade In this
country there remained but little to be said OF their
principles or necessity Of action. What was free
the best prices, and buy where they could buy the
cheapest ANY other system than this was opposed
1t should be demanded as the right OF an American
to buy and sell where he pleased. The time was pro-
Ritious they had entered on new administration;
lines OF the ormies Of the rebellion 30 would he
break through all precedents OF politicians He was
the Treasury Department New York merchant-A.
I. Stewart-and he hoped nothing would occur to
prevent his retaining eta the place AFTER an an elaborate
to give at length his views upon free trade and what
was needed TO be done IN Congress and out oft to
To be successful all they mad to do, he urged
clusion, was determined and unnagging unanimity
OF action.
Mr.. Robert b. Minturn offered the following reso-
lutions:-
Resolved, That free trade y which exemption
defray expenses OF eosernmen s n accord
with the theory Of American Institutions and is de-
Resolved, That VIII TO disseminate the
principles and promote the practice Of free trade thus
Resolved, That committee Of Ave be appointed BY the
In promoting the objects OF the foregoing resolutions
Mr.. Minturn made some remarks upon the resolu-
tions There were many importers who would like
to see the duties kept al high fignres. and he ex.
planned the reason OF this AZ Glass; however, the
importers were interested IN free trade. Ali the
country was interested-everybody, In fact, who
felt any interest In the best welfare OF his country
was Interested, and that deeply. lie denounced as
unjust the imposition OF taxes upon the poor work
Ing classes OF the community, and referred to the
"A5socaton for Improving the Condition Of the
Poor" oi which he Is the treasurer, AZ revealing tue
oppressive burdens through excessive taxation the
poor are called upon 10 bear. Next he spoke OF
the revenue accruing from the present Tariff laws,
ana nstanced that Of two thousand articles upon
which taxes are imposed The bulk OF the revenue
was derived from thirteen articles lie urged tnat
they should show the same zeal IN accomplishing this
purpose that was shown by other organizations to
forward their special views and spoke OF sixty thou
sand dollars having been expended In Philadelphia
In tracts alone for certain political purpose.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Minturn's remarks q vote
was taken on the adoption OF the resolutions, and
the same were unanimously adopted.
The Chairman announced Mcssrs. Howard Potter,
George q. Ward. Robert b. Minturn, Charles II.
Marsnail and Mahon Sands the committec.calied for
Mr.. Mahlon sands suggested that money was what
they wanted. Everybody knew the principles upon
which they were acting and the thorough soundness
OF those principles. lie proposed TO give $1,000 TO
help carry out The purposes OF the meeting. zap
MIR. Charles IT. Marshall said he would also give
$4,000. tKcnewed appause.l
Mr.. Minturn said he would give s2.5oo. Continued
aPut me down for $1,000" called out Mr.. Thomas
Holland.
add my name for 9 900 said the president.
'wl you take anything from poor man ~ asked
one IN the middle OF the room.
"Yes-gladly" answered the chairman.
''wcIl, here's Owe dollars- and walking up he
threw grcenback bill OF this denomination on the
presidents table.
aYour namci' asked the president, passing the
bill to the secretary
"free Trader tLaugbter.)
Names continued To be called out, and at the close
OF the meeting the subscription list stood ~ follows,
making total OF Sf5,3J0:--Mahlon Sands, $4,000;
Charles II. Marshall, 5000; Robert B. Mntnrn,
$4,000; Thomas Holland, $1,000; James N. Brown,
l,00o W. Jessup \ sons, $500; W. D. Morgan, $500;
III. T. Mali n CO., $500: Alfred Pel Jr $3.50; daniel
@. Robbins. $3.50; Flietman Co., $3.50; Louis WIND
muller Rocker, 500; Henry Dickenson, 500;
SloO; J. y. Muller, 500; Cartrght Miller, 500;
Free Trade, S5.
tons could be left with the secretary ut NO 30 Bur