The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1870-10-13
THE TARIFF.

Evidently the Democratic party are laying
the basis for an ante-deluvian fight over the
American Labor Protection System.
They are pushing out stealthily in all direc-
tons, and through all kind Of methods cal
culated to meet the eye and captivate the un-
Outstanding Of the unthinking masses If their
insinuating doctrins of free trade. The old
historic members of that party, who mainly
idea, are aauated by their remembrances Of
the potent aid sich a prostitution Of Ameri-
can argument, used in OverthrOwing
American interests, gave TO the party
in the past through the sympathy and actual
cash subscription of the British manufactur-
ing monopolists. They have not lost any Of
their old fashioned appreciation of the power
of money in advancing the interests of n
party, nor any of their old time unscrupu-
lousness in inviting and accepting such as
sistance from the British capitalists, whose
sole interest in making such investments in
American politics, is Of course to destroy
American competition, prevent the growth
of the manufacturing branch of industry, and
give them control Of both the producing and
tho manufacturing interests Of this country.
1t is not denied, and Of course, it would lie
nonsense To attempt to deny the fact that the
parties or persons who are organized in New
York City, with the avowed object of over
throwing the system Of Protection to Ameri-
can Industry, are representatives OF foreign
manufacturing interests, or are commercial
men who arc engaged exclusively in the i'm
porting business, and who would not hesitate
to do anything, however disastrously it
might result to the larger industrial interests
of the American people, if il should promise
them an immediate and open field for per-
sonaI agrandizement. We do not deny that
there are many advocates Of the free trade
doctrine, who hold their opinions honestly.
Such, when il is discovered that they are
qualified by reading and study for the enter
tainment Of an intelligent opinion upon the
subject, are usually persons who reason from
/ an ascertaincd principle to such conclusion
| As is reached Ivy its unconditional application
| in the direction of human affairs. In other
terms, they are persons who do not ado
q,,ately weigh the disturbing influence of
facts which necessarily exist in an imperfect
conditiod Of human society, and which grow
| out of the crude and shifting relations Of Or
ganized governments.
There is lust one statement which If fairly
and fully ponderet, will start the free trade
men of the Western States thinking,
beyond the stereoyped arguments used
through the whole life time Of the nation by
the partisan advocates of that system. The
| ruling force which is the power behind the
throne, in Great Britain, inspires the in
terest in the free trade doctrines in this cOun-
try, and urges on their advocacy by the
Democratic party. Why do they do this?
This is business question, that any shrcwed
business man could answer himself were he
dealing, under similar order of things, with
another man.
They have ceased to grow. Their land is
all occupied, and is held already at price
beyond ITS value for use, under an application
| ofthe American measure ofthe worth of labor.
They are essentially nation of capitalists,
| who are we'll pleased with safe and perma-
nent investment of their money at per
cent. per annum. We have vast territory
unoccupied, rich in all the resources that
follow proper application Of labor. Great
States in this Union are building up on .
basis Of land that, before occupied, is abso-
lutely valuless, for any Of the uses Of the
writer upon political economy. 1t grows in
value in a year, sometimes in a month,
from ten shillings an acre to fifty dollars an
acre for actual use.
This is statement which all will readily
sec, and understand, its bearing upon
this great question Of Protection. This last
fact stated makes the use of money in this
country Of much greater consequence than it
is in Great Britain. You don't find any cap
italist here satisfied with an investment that
returns him three per cent. The active cap
ital of the people-the business people OF
this country-is earning many mon per
cent. than the legal rates, which are far be
yond those that can be obtained
by money men in England in
quiet times. The capitalists there are salts
fed with three Ier cent interest per annum,
where the security is safe. The capitalists
here are not satisfied with less than twelve
to twenty per cent Per annum, and for the
reasons indicated. Great Britain can build
ships and do the commerce of the trading
nations of the world, not because she has
superior facilities in the way Of material,
etc., but because she is q nation of capitalists
and they are content with small per cent
for the use Of their money, and those
of the capitalists who 60 into shir
building and commercial emprise
. do so upon that moderate calculation of the
!. value of their money. While the American
, capitalist will take no such ventures at a
rate of profit to compete with his British OF.
ponent, when he can do batter with hi
. money. Well, this incomplete statement
, put into form means this: that Great Britain,
/, as ia the case with most Of the other nations
of Europe, has got done growing, internally.
I She must go to commerce and trade to con-