The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-07
FIRST EDITION
E U n o r Il.
Theirs Against Free Trade -Ledru
Rollin on the Bonsparte Tragedy
The Army and Roche
fort-The Liverpool
Tragedy.
M. ThiSr., speech against English Free Trade.

M. Thiers' Speech against English Free Trade.
In the sitting of January %, of the Legislative
Body, the discussion Of nj. Jules Brames inter
pellation relative TO the Commercial Treaties
was resumed by Nj. Theirs, who said:-The in
nuonce and prosperity of France are in jeopardy;
its material interests are bound up with its
moral welfare The prosperity OF the country,
which was formerly in the hands OF the Govern
menti now entrusted to the Chamber. We have
a noble task before us, and we hope that we
shall be able to accomplish it--namely, To give
to the country entire liberty without any dis
turbance of public order; but we have also TO re-
establish its prosperity and for that end we must
rely upon ourselves. We must not indulge in
recriminatons with reference to the past, but at
the same time we must not forget that, hence
FORTH if the country is not happy and salts
fed the responsibility will solely weigh upon
ue. am going to review the present situation
OF affairs, and then refer to the object towards
which we are aiming. We do not wish for pro-
hibitory duties, nor even for such as we should
deem necessary for the protection of our trade.
will prove to you that 10 per cent. is not pro-
tectionist duty, and that in no other countries
are the duties SO low In the freest countries
arrangements are made to protect the different
branches of native industry. This Is especially
the case in America and the British Colonies, in
Canada, Australia, and the East Indies.
NJ Theirs concluded as tollows:-Our pro-
duction of wool is 100000 pounds, and we
import 18O, ,000,00 Australia already supplies
$4,000, 900, and could furnish GOO, 600, 900. La
Plata can produce similar quantity. In that
situation, how is the wool of France to sustain
the competition? With respect to corn, there
is an immense market in England, similar to
that of Holland in the fifteenth century, and by
abolishng the duties on grain you have placed
French agriculture in state of dependence on
the English prices. France can no longer pro-
duce at cost of 1Sf. the hectoitre ca bushels),
in consequence of the deplorable extension
given to public works, which have attracted all
the laborers to the large towns. The English
market is chiefly supplied from Poland, Russia.
and America. In the Crimca wheat may be
purchased at the rate of 12f. and 49,, to which
must be added 2f. for freight, which makes in
all only 14f. or 15f. Can we compete on such
terms?"
Yet we are told that we are in prosperous
state; that our trade has doubled since 1860.
admit that between that year and 1869 there
was an augmentation of &c per cent, bat
before the treaty, between 1880 and 1851 there
was an increase of 100 per cent.
M. Bethmont-In 20 years
NJ Thiers-Wait! To make the comparison
more striking, i will take periods of nine years,
like that between 1860 and 1863. Between 1843
and 1852 the average annual trade was ], ,551,
OO0, 600; between 1851 and 1860 1882 O00, 900,
or an increase of 115 per cent; between
1860 and 1869, 5,479,0OO,OOO, or an in
crease on the preceding period of 65 per
cent. Thus the mean development fell from ll5
to IS, which cannot be contested. Besides, the
augmentation in the last period is less than is
stated, as since the treaties of commerce many
productions, such as cotton and indigo, merely
pass through the French territory without en-
riching it in any way, and yet are included in
the customs returns. M. Pouyer-Quertier is cor
rect at fixing at 300 000 600 the deduction to be
made under that head. 1t has been said that, as
all countries suffering more or less, France is
naturally among the number. l deny that
fact absolutely. Switzerland has increased
her spindles from 100000 to 1,700,0
industry is fourishing in Prussia; Austria
and Prussia have preserved their home
markets. England is suffering a little France
very much. And why? Because England,
finding the markets of the United States closed
to her, and those of her colonies protected
against her, has inundated France with her
productions. French industry has one superb
ority-its workmanship. We are perfection, but
we are not cheapness. Why, then, attempt to
rival England in low prices2 To do so
is to disregard the genius of France
and the reality of the situation. The career
of England is to aim at cheapnesS, that of
France to strive for quality. France has attained
her industrial position in the world, not by com
peting with England in low prices, but by sell
ing printed stuffs and silks which are unrvalled;
by her merinos and her fine wines. One fac
will be proved by the inquiry which is, that by
endeavoring to manufacture cheaply, we have
lowered the standard OF our productions. Not
that our workmen have become less skilful, bat
that they have been turned aside from theil
proper occupation. The situation of France Ii
still to be enyied even by the great and admirable
nation called England.
But do not envy her lot for France, who has
brilliant future before her. But that depends
on your wisdom. For you 1t is to choose be
tween puerile doctrines and illusions, and thC
fine old national good sense. France will ther
resume her glorious rank among the nations
cloud applause on a number OF benches
The Noir Assassination.
NJ. Ledru Rollin, who had promised to appeal
as counsel for the Noir family before the Higl
Court of Justice, has declined the task, fo
reasons appearing in the following letter 10 tn,
editor OF the Reuetl:-
LONDON Jan. 21.-My Dear Friend-At tn,
moment when public Indignation was fresh, anC
when was excited by the terrible grief of tn,
Nor family, my heart alone spoke, and l saiC
''yes" in answer to your appeal. / had hopet
that my health, really very bad, would hav
permitted me to be prepared before the strapg
Jury can be assembled, and / would hope so yet
But now political reasons have made me hesitate
and only yesterday very formidable objection
presented itself to my mind. Can recogniz
such judges without being false to all my past life
When contemplating the possibility of my retur
TO France, never contemplated inscribing m
name once more on the list of advocates.
shrank from the idea of giving my sanction b.
the annual oath taken by the council of tn
order in the name of the bar to the multitude o
Odious laws which have been passed. The pre-
sident of the court would not fail to remind m
of this oath at the very outset of the trial. Ca
J. after having suffered twenty years exil
rather than give an amnesty by my presence t
prevaricating judges, bring myself to plea
before them? And more particularly when
should find them in contempt of all the laws
equality, sitting as an exceptional tribun;
in chambre drdente, without appea
and while ! should be precluded froI
taking any exception to their Jurisdiction? M
blood boils at the idea. Between my long al
stention from the bar and my participation
such trial, the contrast would be shocking
and would afford but too great an occasion
might as well have taken the political oat
which WOud have assured me q seat in tl