The New York herald., 1870-02-25
FREE TRADERS IN COUNCIL.
Meeting OF Merchants In Favor of Free
TraGe-fhe Men, the deans
and the Money.

An enthusiastic and largely attended meeting OF
Importers ana merchants OF the city was held yes.
teray afternoon. at three O'Clock, at No. 10 Broad
street. In the used formerly by the Open Board
OF Brokers. The object OF the meeting was to OBJ
tain reform IN the financial policy Of the federal
government by the adoption OF free trade prin-
ciples. In addition this there was the practical
object OF deyisng the ways and means for carrying
ON agitation IN favor OF free trade principles. In
this latter object the meeting successful, for,
before IT adjourned, nearly $4,000 were raised by
voluntary subscriptions.
The chair taken by Mr.. JACKSON S. SCHULTZ,
who in the course OF his speech alluded to The
nopoliss who had diverted public to secure
m0nopohes to certain classes by prohibiting i'm
portations altogether. He then went on to say
So far as any right 10 speak for the manniac.
turers OF the country, desire TO protest, their
name, against the continuance OF Eucn q state or
things, wnich must In the future unsettle and de-
stroy enterprise, has the past which, but for
snch interference, might nave this day been pros
porous As manufacturers we want to be let alone
We want not only stability, but peace. This we can
never attain under any system OF forced Legislative
''pro.eouon," such as Is demanded IN our name and
interest. II strictly revenue tariff Is established
declared to be The fixed policy OF the government,
then Is not only all controversy at an end, but the
manufacturers themselves can anticipate long be-
fore Congress VIII De called upon 10 act what
changes are demanded and when likely to occur.
SO long as Congress shall listen 10 the demands OF
unscrupnlous men for SPECIAL protection these ap-
peas Will continue and multiply as they have here
Sofore; and II THEY are needed all the productive IN
terests Of the country may be placed III the anOma
Gus and mortllylpR situation OF our own merchants
ana shpbullders. who are forced TO ask government
subsidies for transportation and bounties ON ship
bulloing. The concessions unavoidaby made III a
strictly revenue tarlH are all That any or the mana
facturers hitherto specially favored can plausiDly
ask ana this only Tor short time nntl the eXtln-
gushincnt or our national debt
Mr.. WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER then read number OF
resolutions decaratory OF free trade principles The
last Of which were the following
Resolved That those Of fellow citzens who
Of sne Free Trade League have ss cam 10 onr
thanks for the success which has attended their efforts dur
eaolved That Congress shortly be elected,
be eonnnea and that The people should be 20 enlightened
that members Of Congress be chosen pledged economy
men ooanes snbsdea and speca legislation and TO re-
Resolved, secure these essential reforms
OF us pledgeour efforts and cur means and that commit
sion Of ali who desire to assist In this object.
MIR. MAHIoN SANDS 10 a clear and forcible speech
TRADE Lcagne since its establishment, and sketched
the campaign for the future.
Mr. CHARLES H. MARSHALL, Treasurer Of the Free
TRADE League, reported that during the past year
we're s25,5s0 As.
Mr.. WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT then addressed the
meeting, and after referring TO bis own cxertions
connection with the free trade movement, and the
progress OF me question m the public mind, con.
cluded by Baying:-Mr. President, we must get up q
spanking breeze from the right quarter In tins coun-
Try and we may be sure that Congress Will obey Its
1WPulst ana We sHaii again nave cHeap IRON, cnedp
fuel and cheap clothing During the late civil war
public opinion went sadly back on the question OF
protection; wniie we had worse tariff Of duties
IMAM had ever before peen inflicted on the country
yet dd not care 10 quarrel win 1t. jnasmuch az we
bad more important controversies on hand. it went
back then, but 1t s recovering its healthy tone and
now, Rtnce the question OF protection ie made tue
grave question OF the day, IL. .is coming right.
hi. sAAUEL j. TfIDES next addressed tDe meet
ing IN favor of the adoption OF free trade principles
and was loudly cheered.
Mr.. SASNEIsToN, o German workngman, IN
earnest ana passionate STRAINS. as representative
OF tiose ilvng IN tenement houses and cellar base
Heuts, urged the meeting to give Of their substance
5or the overthrow OF projection. he SAID tnat MS
wife, VINO was sewing machine worker, used tEree
apoo.s OF cotton per day, and that sne pald twenty
tonr cents instead OF fourteen cents per spool and
that was her tax for the protective tariff. Tnss
speech was very loudly cheered.
The following SUBSCRIPTIONS were announced ana
the meeting adj0urned:-