Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-05-02
HOW SHaLL I'VE GET ND?

The most formidable opposition whicl
the shipbuilders of Maine and other State,
encounter in their efforts to revive theil
shipyards and protect the commerce of the
country springs from the Free Traders
The propositions which they make as rem
edies for the difficulties under which ship
builders labor and to improve our naviga-
ton interests is to allow the cheaply
built vessels Of the British Provinces to be
brought free into our markets, and t
admit foreign vessels to American registry
These are legitimate free trade PROPOSE
tons. They cannot be denied to be logi
cal deductions from free trade premises
They are consistent with the doctrine
from which they spring. But suppose
these principles were carried in.o effect
that while our people are obliged to bt
taxed heavily to meet the liabilities of the
government, the cheaply built, untaxed
vessels of the British Provinces are per-
mitted free access to our markets, how
long could shipbuilding continue in this
country? That policy would make every
shipyard in this State as silent as the grave,
stopping employment for men, and blight
ing every business upon which the con-
struction of vessels depends. The capital
and skill used in shipbuilding would leave
us and 20 to the Canadian Dominion. The
current of migration would be checked in
its set toward us, and the stream would
flow in the opposite direction. If in adj
dition to this free trade policy in the mat
ter Of building vessels, we take the other
step and admit foreign vessels to our coas-
ting trade, from which they have long
been excluded BY the desire of our gov
eminent to foster its navigation interests,
what more could be done to PROSTATE those
interests and place American commerce
completely in the hands and under the
control Of foreign influence?
The claim which our shipbuilding and
shipowning interests make for protection
from the government must be carried il
carried at all blythe opponents of the Free
anu ONCi uCstio anu oPpooi7
ton Of the latter. If American coasters
are to be protected in their business it will
be through the influence ofthose who stand
by the principle of building up American
manufactures and agriculture and paying
the laborer fair and living wages for his
work. American navigation has been an
tad tho - ba
government. Free trade would ruin it..
Ii is now in peril from that source, and
its safety consists in joining hands with the
other classes Of interests that need protec-
ton, and strengthen the hands OF all.
Our shipbuilders can obtain no drawbacks
from the Free Traders, but if they look to
them for relief they will be pointed to
Canada as the best place to carry on THEN
occupations. itwiH be in vain that the
Select Committee of which Mr.. Lynch is
chairman will urge the claims of Maine or
the navigation Interests. if at the same
timeshe and they plant themselves on the
platform of free trade and hostility to an
American policy in opposition toa foreign,
policy. Those who are asking the aid of
government must be willing to grant
equal aid 70 others and IN this way success
may be achieved. Maine is compelled by
the condition in which she finds herself to
seek alliance with the friends of protection.
Doing this she win prosper, but refusing
to do it she viii 90 backward until neces-
sity drives her to see her folly and reverse
her steps.