Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-07-01


This steadily increased until 1869, when the
balance against England was over fl00, 0O0,-
600.
Can there be any question in the mind Of a
candid, thinking man, what our interests are?
Residents of a country of resources, the eX
tent and variety of which have only begun to
cast their shadows before the world; and we
have lavishly given our patrimony or its pro-
ducts to the world, and taken the products of
their industry at immense profits.
There is no reciprocity in it. What is the
end of all trade but gain? Instead of its be-
ing interchange of commodities it is war;
and intelligence, machinery, resources and
credit which the resources bring, and pro-
lection are its powerful engines; and these
engines have revolutionized Europe and made
England second rate power. The resources
and credit which they bring will not last if
not protected Look at India. country of
resources as wonderful in many respects as
our own; with population out-numbering
any country, despolled and rendered desolate
beyond our conception. Look at Portugal,
Denmark Ireland, or the British North Amer
lean possessions. The last settled by the same
race and coincident with our settlement; all
these have been plundered for the benefit of
the home interest, and their markets crowded
with the products of Englands manufactures.
We as nation have constantly poured out
our products to feed her people and supply
her industries. Thus, as is inevitable in all
cases, we have found the balance of trade
against us, when we have bought her manu-
features in excess, by reason of no protection.
The period from 1918 to 1924 was ''Free
Trade" what is its history? examine for your
selves. 1t left an impoverished people and
an increased public debt. From 1924 to 1884
protection brought us large import of specie
htir r aAa thn
porous people ever known, and a revenue so
great that it was found practicable to take all
duties from tea, coffee, and many other for
eign products; it closed our public debt.
1884 brought Free Trade" and in eight
years the people were ruined, the Government
and public treasury bankrupt and an immense
amount of irredeemable paper money. 1912
brought protection; and again did the balance
sheet change. A prosperous people again es-
tablshed public credit; but in 1S47 Free
Trade again worked its speedy blight l
need not refer to this period. 1857 brought
us to a eliminating point, the most destruct-
i've and without precedent. The immense re-
turns from California were not able to meet
the wants of the community. Labor found
no demand? corn was burned as fuel in the
west, the factory and work shops were shut
up, the system of 'Laisser Faire" had had its
full trial.
How were things changed in 1860 and 1861
The war which was stimulated by the same
spirit, the desire of class to live by the unre-
Quilted labor of another class, for the
first time in history, presented the spectacle
of demand in every branch of industry being
far ahead of supply; so the farmer, the arti-
zan, mechanic and banker were taxed beyond
power to produce or to answer the demands
of the Government and society. Free and
INN HAT pf nd
commodity, there a class in society that
did not thrive under this marvellous season of
real and permanent interest? Capital was not
concentrated, but readily every household and
neighborhood became a scene of industry.
The protective tariff and the splendid ma
chinery of National monetary circulation are
the monuments which are now presented to
you as the machinery which in an incompar-
ably short space of time, saved our homes
our industries and our Nation. No thanks to
England with her Free Trade" doctrines
She melted and assisted the rebellion, hoping
to divide the spoils, and now that her tremor
of fear has been quieted by the late treaty,
we may expect her to coax us to take up the
unfortunate mantle of Gree Trade" which
has ruined her. NJ. Theirs says "Among
the most sacred rights is the labor of coun-
try to its own markets" And yet the Mer-
camille correspondent of the New York Ex-
press, a free trade Journal, says of our whole
indebtedness to foreigners, one billion of dol
lars of il was contribution to foreign indus
tries, over and above their contributions to
ours; besides which we have paid them $780,
100000 in gold since the century began.
Messrs. Editors, | shall be sorry to weary
your readers, but as one of the laboring class
! am unwilling, without word of warning,
to see us drift into the wilcs and sophistries
of those who would sustain the labor of our
enemies; to cater to the selfish wants of
few who for the sake of trade would barter
the essential interests of people.
LABoRER.