The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-05-07
Correspondence Of p. c. Adyertiser.l
Free Trade and Equal Rights.

Protection, in the arts and manufactures, is either
RIGHT, or it is WRONG. If it is right, let us have
more of it. If it is wrong, let us have none of it.
At present there is protection on rice growing and
on sugar making. We are paying one cent and a half
per pound for our rice, and two cents a pound for
our sugar, more than IRE should hare TO pay, if rice
and sugar ,csre not protected By u high tariff:
Is this right? Should a few persons be made rich
at the expense of the community? If n few can be
favored in this way why not favor d few mOre7 If
rice, and sugar, why not clothing? If the rice
grower and the sugar maker why not the wool
grower? If the rice grower and the sugar maker.
why not the wheat grower, the potato grower, and
the harness maker? Let us have an even thing Of il.
Don't protect two branches of home industry, and
leave all others TO languish and choke ont by cheap
foreign labor. Take the duty of of rice and sugar,
and let us all have an even chance for life.
If protection is lad for us, and free trade is good
for US, take the duty off of all things, and raise our
revenue by direct taxation on real estate, and per-
sonaL property. The right persons to support the
Government, are those IchO Own property aud need
the police to take care of their interests. What does
the poor man want with watchmen 10 guard his
houses by night, or with whaves for his ships in the
day time? 1t is only the rich man who requires these
expensive things, and let the rich man pay for them.
If home labor is not to be encouraged, if our arts,
agriculture, and productions are not to be cared for
by the Government, then let the burdens of the taxes
fall on the shoulders Of those who are benefited by
the laws. Let the importing merchan is and the
traders support the Government in proportion TO
their riches and income, and in proportion TO the
protection which the Government gives to them.
How is the producer encouraged in this country ?
Is it by a premium on his industry Is it by offering
him the first chance for the sale Of his produce? No,
all the pauper labor of overstocked foreign lands is
brought here and sold i'll preference to home labor /;
and the poor man here may see his children dyin
one after another, by his side, for want of nouris
ment, while what little he gets for his labor is insut
Gent TO feed and clothe himself alone.
Instead of our living a prosperous people mul
plying, and replenishing the land, as we should !
if properly cared for, we are gasping for breath .
dying from our industries not being protected.
But let US have all served alike. If protection s
bad, let us have none OF it. If protection is not good
for the manufacturer, it is not good for the grower.
If protection is not good for potatoes and wheat, it is
not good for rice and sugar. Away with it altogether
or have it equal.
Let our Legislature show their manliIess and
sense by either protecting all alike or sweeping away
what we have already. If protection is wrong, have
done with it. If it is right, then protect us. =.