New-York tribune., 1869-04-13
THE FREE TRADE QUESTION.

MEETING IN BR0oKLYN-ADDREsSEs BY THE
| REV. HENRY WARD BEEcHER AND PROF.
| PERRY.
| A public meeting in the interest of Free Trade
was held the Brooklyn Atheneum evening, under
the auspices Of the Brooklyn Free Trade League. The
large hall was well filed with audience, about half OF
whom appeared to be enthusiastic sympathizers
| with the objects Of the meeting. The remand
| er, including number OF ladies, were prob
| ably drawn there by the announcement that
the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher would make a speech on
the occasion. Several officers OF the Brooklyn and New
York Leagues occupied the platform, and an
active gentleman at the door distributed to ell who
tered copies of the prospectus Of the oganza
ton At o'clock punctualy Mr. Beecher stepped to the
front OF the platform and when the applause that greeted
| his appearance had subsded. he said:
When Louis KOssuth in 1852 America declared
principle. but that found IN America all questions
were questions Of policy We at that time drawing
been questions OF policy. We were Just beginning draw
great struggle which has occupied the last 20
years. in which both by voice and by the sword have
discussed and vndcated the greatest Interests aud prn
clples which interest the nation Now with the
again drawing to the period in which must discuss
policies It's evident therefore that the hrst policy shond
erty which has long inspired the mind OF the Republic;
every trade has simply doctrine of liberty in
there shall be tariff All sides that for long
question however, is on what principle shall the tariff
be framed There two main views: One that II shall
be only for revenue, and that mposts shall be laid on
that principle only; the other notion OF the tariff, while
it includes the idea OF revenue renders that su6ord-
to the idea that Government should foster and
tect the great Interests OF the natisn Against
rse rsde fare better When left absoutsy free than
when fondled and protected by Government aud that
for the work is huge that it be done impair
italy II important for all the industrial interests OF
and impartiay projected on tho other hand. expert
shows that the vast and already oyersvolen indus
themselves unneeded protection and make feeble indus
tries than they were before their existence The
uate in this way the industry OF the country might bring
upon II an G6u GI hsr %" no Soab
that the party who opposed to free trade have OF late
stEory and sSecess Ne sSoud have whole country
composed OF States each OF which shall have the same
the exclusion Of oconomizng expedenscredit. checks,
drafts, money orders bills Of exchange, &C. but hard
sympathy with the commercial currents OF the whole
world We should have a commerce which would per
mt us to sell what will and where We ike for
price The exchanges OF the people are ana should De
the only resources OF Government one part OF he rev
enue OF the Government should come from foreign
exchanges. just the other part OF the e1ehequer
OF the Government comes from domestic ehchanges'
No eau object to taxation when sup
ports the Government-the m1ther OF US all
but object to duties laid In the name ofaIaton
which not designed to realize muoh " any Govern
All ardenty desire system OF taxation.
the peoples Industries, and which will take from the
gains Of exchange much as s requisite for the main
Ing he exchanges The United states should Keep IN
sympaihy with kindred nations. IL Il mistaken idea
that those who uphold freerade principles are conser-
vators The contrary Is the fact. There Is no doubt
that "A great deal OF the commerce OF the world
Is under the system Of free-trade. which Ameri-
should desire for themselves have spoken little ON
this subject asked TO preside this evening. pre-
because represented large class of silent tndl
YiduAs In the community who have hitherto trained
with those Of the prOtectOns but who begin 10 doubt
the correctness OF their former belongings. believe
will convert those who opposed free trade In
time and show them the necessity Of IT, There -
no that the present system o free trade strikes
blow at the rights OF property. The thrin
acts which have been passed WITHIN the past lew
years differed from each other very little. A
radical change necessary II the Government debt must
be paid The right To have property Is the right To ren-
der equivalent for the use Of u. community who
fail assist each other cannot long exist some care
little whether they assist their fellows not; but am
one those who believe there men who cannot be-
bought Some indeed there who would take 100000
for single II they could get H. and sell II higher,
what the consequences have yet nope, ana
see the future the brightest prospects for the advocates
Of Free Trade and Prof Perry comes to speak To you as
"a citizen on Its principles. .,,,,
Mr. Beecher then introduced Professor Perry or VIII
ams College Massachusetts, who In an elaborate ana
laborod speech went the ground usually occupied
who make set speeches on that topic The
address was made up chiefly Of defamation nnd decara-
tion - assertions sometimes supported by arHn-
meuts and once twice illustrated by facts-tbe
whole covering the several propositions: FIRST,
that protection, by law ~ unnecessary second thht IL
does not object which IL seeks tnrd, IL results
especia one sought favored fourth. that IL Is
wastefu and extravagant system ana bears Win parc
uar severity the poor. At the close OF Mr Perry
address, Of thanks to the speakers OF the evening
was enthusiastically passed by the AUDIENCE anu TIC
meeting broke up