Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-12-21
THE RESULTS OF EDUCATION AND PRO.
TFGTIOH

LECTION
! We do not know when the world has
been SO surprised at tho amazing power
and wealth of single nation as it is now
Mt the marvellous developments of these,
! features in the German people of this gen.
Grafton. We have frequently commented.
upon the spectacle presented by their en-
inent statesmen, able military leaders, and
united brave soldiers. The foundations
upon which this incompatible power rests
are not of hasty growth, or indifferent ma
teriaI. The basis for such national growth
must be broad and deep, for it stands the
most trying test to which it can be sub
jected. War prosecuted so vigorously, so
successfully on such magnificent proper
tons is trial of national power and great
ness that cannot be disputed or misunder-
stood.
few observations upon the policy of
government which has attained this posi-
ton may not he Improbable
The education of the people has unuues-
tionably been one of the chief elemcnts
producing it, but it is not our purpose now
to do more than merely recognize it's
claims.
One of the chief causes of the wealth and
tainly to be found in its system of protec-
don to home industry-a system inaugu-
rated but fifty years ago. At its introduce
ton Prussia was Frustrated by the wars of
Napoleon, and Impoverished financially
hy the heavy burdens and eXactions OF pro-
tracted wars. Free trade had left its trades
people open to the competition of other
nations, and crippled their efforts to build
the nation upon an independentsu substantial
foundation. To overcome these influences
the Xollverein or Customs Union began its
work, by abolishirg all custom houses be-
tween the territories of the German States,
and imposing uniform rates of duty upon
goods imported from beyond the borders OF
the confederation. They were imposed
solely for protection and not for revenue.
It's duties were levied upon coarse fabrics
rs high as upon fine, while raw materials
were generally exempted. The result of
the system is easily seen from the follow
ing statistics, which we gather from the
Industrial Bulletin
When the system frat took effect the
exports from Prussia were corn, wool and
timber After the Iollverein had been i'll
operation twenty years, she imported o.
900, 900 pounds more wool than she export
ed, and sold to other countries l2,UD,OOo
pounds of WOODEN cloth. The return of
duties for 1867 show a product of more than
474. 000, 900 cwt. of COAL 100000 600 cwt. OF
peat, 7,37S000 cwt. of zinc ore, 3,557,OOO
cwt. of copper ore. The years return of
smelling operations shows a yield of 90
600. 900 cwt. of raw iron 6000,000 cwt. of
cast-iron ware, IL ,000, 900 cwt of bar and
rolled iron, and 2,452, 900 cwt. of steel
The balance of trade has, ever since the
Zollverein, been in her favor,an AS result
she absorped about l000,000,00O of our
bonds during our war. The magnitude of
her immense foundrics and shops explains
her immense command of war material,
and readily accounts for the fact that, in
1866 she prosecuted her grand Bohemian
war, which so signally humbled Austria,
without borrowing dollar.
BY education and protecting home in
dustries, she has laid the broad founda
tons upon which her Incompatible mill
tary strength and unlimited financial
credit are built. The example is worthy
of study and emulation.