The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-07-09
Free Trade.

An American in England writes an able
letter to Hon. VIM. d. Kelley, exposing
the British opinion of American Free
Trade, from which we make the following
selections:
"The worst of it is that our people by
adopting this policy lose much and gain
nothing. It helps the English and nobody
else, while it Injuries ourselves. If it would
but cheaper the price of the English goods
we should then be compelled to buy, there
would be more reason or excuse for it, but
it will not even do this. 1t will break down
our manufacturers, throw our people out
of employment, and make us dependent
upon England. twill do this and nothing
less. If our people are foolish enough to
believe that they will reap the benefit of
the reduction of duties to the amount taken
off, they will find themselves greatly de-
ceived, for ne such result will follow
Take for instance the article of IRON
There is no iron man in the kingdom but
what will tell you if you ask him that is,
if he has the truth HIM, that a reduction
of duty in the United States will put up
the price of iron in England. Ihave talked
with many of them and they all admit it
to me. This is perfectly understood. 1t
will give them larger prices and larger
profits, while we Should have to pay the
same or about the same. That which now
goes to the customs, and helps to pay our
national debt and the expenses of our Gov
ernment, would go to the English manu-
facturer, help to enrich him, and to this
extent add to the wealth of England. We
should pay this to the English, and then be
compelled to put our hands in our pockets
and pay it over again in the way of tax
to support our Government. While the
bill was under consideration in the House,
the committee reduced the duty from nine
to five dollars per ton on pig iron, reduc-
ton of four dollars, equal to about sixteen
shillings. 1t was admitted to me by iron
men, that if this had become law, pig
iron would have advanced in price at least
twelve shillings per ton at once, and prob
ably sixteen. The managers Of the differ
emit steamship companies here, running to
the States, have weekly meeting. At
one of their meetings this proposed reduc-
ton on iron was brought up and discussed.
They were all most anxious that it should
take place, the leading speakers asserting
that the effect would be to put up the
prices of pig iron at least three dollars per
ton to the manufacturers, and to give them,
the companies, from one dollar to one dol.
lar and half per ton more freight for car
rying. These are facts, and not fanciful
theories, and would fellow just as certain
as the night follows the day, if the reduc-
ton is made.
"To give you an instance of how this
works, you know that the duty on cigars
in England has been reduced within the
past few years very much. According to
the free-trade theories the effect of this
should have been to reduce the price to the
extent of the duty taken off. 1t has done
no such thing. The price is just the same
now as it was before. One of the leading
dealers here, by the name of Pierce, was
asked for an explanation, and he stated
that as soon as the duty was taken off, the
manufacturers at Havana Immediately put
up the price to the extent of the duty taken
off, and that cigars now cost him just as
much to put them in his shop as they did
before the reduction. And SO it will be
with iron and other goods. The foolish
Irish, if they would give up their Canada
raids and go in for home industry instead
of voting for the free-trade party and pol
icy, could aim more effectual blow and
do more mischief to England than five
hundred Fenian raids can do. 1t is strange
that the Fenians have net got sense enough
to see this. An Englshman once said to
me, "The only time an Irishman is of any
service to his country is when he goes over
to America. He joins the free trade party,
votes the free-trade ticket, and helps to
break down the protection to your manu-
facturers" This is so. And he renders
in this way the most important service that
it is possible for him to do to the very coun.
try which he processes to hate so much
Why are not steps taken to enlighten the
Fenians upon this subject?
at lays in the power of the Fenians OF
the United States, if they would but unite
and resolve to do SO, to almost ruin Eng
land, simply by going against the English
policy of free trade in our country.
"A good minister in country village
lately prayed fervently for those of hi.
congregation "who were too proud to knee
and too lazy to stand.'
In pocket-picking, as in almost every