The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-11-18
PROTECTION.

can TOOLS are trying to get up quite Sfli
IE this country to obtain members in the
West especially, for great Free Trade
party, whose purpose it is and shall be to
abolish our protective tariff and thus
to destroy American manufactures and
to give free scope to foreign pauper la
Dor, while the true American policy OF
encouraging and fostering home industry
is hardly mentioned if not entirely neg
lected Thus we read Of large Free
Trade conventions and flaming speeches
in the papers of almost every western
city of any importance whose only ten
dency seems to be to cry down our pro-
tective tariff and praising free trade to
the skies. For the purpose of calling at
tention to this really deplorable state of
things in our western country, we here
publish communication, sent to US by
friend, for serious consideration:
First. The development of our own re-
sources and the firm possession OF our own
markets are much more important than
foreign commerce to the welfare OF all the
: people Of this nation.to to the s1lvency OF
the Government, and to the attraction Of
The bettor class of immigrants and by no
other method can durable resumption of
specie payments be attained than by in
creasing American production and check
ing Importation.
Secondly. To maintain such possession
of our own markets, and thus to attain
financial Independence. We must be able
to produce at home nearly all the manu-
factured articles needed by our people. in
Guiding those which require the facilities
of great establishments, of many work
men trained To special arts and of large
capital, and we must also ne constantly
undertaking those new lDdu>trl which
the advances in the arts and the progress
OF civilization require.
Thirdly 1t is impossible for such great
establishments to prosper. or smaller ones
to spring up, and for the new industries
to take root. under tickle ami sometimes
unf iendly policy which holds them con
stantly in tear of revulsions.
Fourthiy As means of regular growth
in the productive powers OF our cou -
try, it is a duty of the Government to au-
nnunce, adhere to, and steadfastly act up
on the policy of defending its citizens
in their industrial conflict with foreign ma
tions, of assuring To those who are support
ing the Government a marked preference
in our markets over aliens who are our
rivals In reace and our foes in war. and
Of obliging foreigners who wish 10 reap
the advantage of the better markets
created by our institutions. to pay toll
upon the goods they send here, ana thus
share the expense maintaining those In
tliutlons.
Frtthly A policy of firm and steady pro-
lection to American industry being dis
rinctly annouced a general tariff law
should be framed embracing the entire
range ef imported goods, and superseding
all former tariff laws, the duties being
made specific so far as conveniently posi-
BILE, and high enough to afford fair wages
aud reasonable profits to such American
working men and employers a> apply
themselves with assiduity, skill, and in
teligence to industries suited to our con-
dition and resources.
Sixthly In order to diminish the labor
of Congress, aud to expedite those future
notifications in tariff legislation which
the development of new industries or the
changes of trade may from tune to time
render desirable, some department, bu
reau, or commission should be created,
specifically charged with the duty ofkeep-
ing watch over this subject, with authorl-
ty to examine witnesses, make lnvestlga-
tons, hear statements. and to submit to
Congress at the opening of each ses sion
IA brief report, accompanied. when neces
>ary, by draft Of bill embpdying such
legislation as may seem expedlent.
Seventhly Experience having clearly
shown that the maintenance of domestic
production is the only sure method for
reducing the prices of manufactured
goods, it is grossly unjust to the employ
ers of operatives who ask for the legisia-
ton needful for keeping their hands EN-
ployed, to charge them with endeavorlng
to aggrandlze themselves at the expense
of the public. They do not desire or
expect for themselves or their employers
to escape from the toll and strife which
are the common lot of man. but they pro
test against being obliged to follow the
employers of other countries in expert
menting on the degree of degradation and
misery which can be endured by labor
| ing population, aud they claim that our
national lsgislation should be such as to
enable our producing classes to enjoy
civilizing Influences. and to permit EN-
players to acquire solidlty enough to give
steadiness to manufacturing pursuits.