New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-08
VIEWS ON PROTECTION.
pROTECTION IN ME WEST.


ested IN the present aspect of that question: at this
central point i'm the West The population now resident
and continually pouring into the Valley of the Misss-
sippi will hold the balance of power in the future of
our Republic All vitality interested in the ques-
ton as TO the opinions and influences of these
on this great topic Arewe to be regarded in the future
as in the past only the granary of the country,
are We while contributing our quota to the agrcul-
tural growth Of the nation also to develop the
derful mineral and manufacturing resources that
richly abound on every handi And can the West IN
its future political movements be depended upon to
give its votes and energies to the growth and pros
perity of a varied industTyi
1t is my impression that there always have been,
and are now many erroneous opinions held. all over
the country as to the position of the West these
points. 1t has been generally conceded that the
country west of the Alleghanes was hostile to the
policy of developing and fostering inative and d-
verse industries and only anxious to make COM
merce and customers across the seas. Your name
sake of this city has. with great industry, repre-
scented this as the fact in the Northwest at least
and undoubtedly has sfOund pecuniary profit from
those whose interests would be advanced by belief
in and maintenance of such views. But il has failed
most disastrously in the attempt recently made by
it TO dragon the public into the support Of candl-
date for Congress, not of whose recorded votes
can he shown as in favor Of American In preference
to foreign institutions; while it has seen the candi-
date il opposed with all its ability elected by large
vote as the pledged supporter and advocate of views
fully and entirely in harmony with those entertained
by yourself on the subject of Protection.
In the recent election of United States Senator
from our State this question entered deeply though
quietly into the canvass. Gen. Logan said to com
mttee of gentlemen from this city, who called upon
him for his views the question of Protection, as
one Of the great issues in the next Presidential cam
paicn GAS far as | understand the question, l am a
Protoctioust. would, to-day, advocate the repeal
OF al internal taxation and would collect from for
eiga imports al the moneys needed for the expenses
of Government, the payment of interest on our ma
tional debt, and the commencement of sinking
fund for its future liquidation. And it
seems 10 me. such legislation would afford
the most ample and permanent projection to
our home industries" The action of the
great agricultural State of Iowa, in sending to the
Senate. in the person Of the Hon Geo. G. Wright, a
lifelong Protecionst, is i'll harmony with this view
This whole question needs but TO be-in cOnsonance
with your oft-repeated assertion-clearly made an
before the country, TO array the immense ma
jority of the West in its favor The results Of the last
election in our County of Cook clearly prove this.
An election held to-day on the ISSUE Protection agt
Free-Trade OF its equivalent Revenue Reform, iii the
least fifty thousand majority for Protection. This
statement was made by the Hon. Joseph Medil of The
Chicago Tribune within the past sixty days, and all
will recognize him as able authority and certainly
net favOrng such result.
There are many causes which for the past five
years have been in operation to bring about this re-
suit in the minds of Western men, The very low and
unremunerative prices of grain for some years past
have taught the farmer the value and need of a mar
ket than that of Europe. There is the discov
cry of mines of iron coal and other minerals, which
need only the investment of the capitalist TO be i'm
mensely profitable but who very naturally replies to
ahe solicitations for his money Western sentiments
are generally understood to be in favor of Free
Trade; the experience of the effects following such
policy in the past is not an inducement for me
to plant my capital in the permanent improvement
YOU suggest - and this has led the community TO
inquire whether doctrine that can prompt such
reply is worth their support. The communities IN
and near by the points where founderies- wooden
mills. furnaces. watch shops, &c, have been built
mp by the greatly increased prices of land, the OPP
portuntes for rotation of crops, the quick demand
for the same, &c. are awake to the conviction that
such practical results not to be ignored for the
mere theories of Free Trade as advancing. more
than any other policy, the millennium" DC. The
laboring classes containing among them many Of
the most intelligent of European workmen. have
seen and f5t most deeply the effects of British Free
Trade and are, here and everywhere, the determined
opponents Of such sentiments.
While many of our leading journals have yielded
to the pressure and solicitation of foreign influence
and gone over TO the enemy there have sprung up
on the other hand systems for giving and TO
the dissemination of correct opinions on tins I'M
portant question. The recent formation at this
point of the American Association of Home Industry
Il 9TH from
among the leading industries of the conntry-h an
omen of good for the future In It's operations II is
reaching the IIish, Germans, and colored men, as
well as our native born citizens, by means of PAM
1hles speakers c. and also by its chief publication,
The Bureau a monthly magazine of the size OF HdT-
pers in which discussed with ability the ques-
tons of Protection, Labor Internal Commerce, Man
ufactures, &c. The energy and ability with which
the operations of this Association managed have
called to its support men and means from all quar-
ters. Meetings in sympathy with its plans have
been held here and in various cities of the West and
if bids fair to realize the hopes Of its founders
most extended and efficient agency for the extension
of American principles and institutions.
Sir all the signs about us are propitious for the
carly. victorious, and permanent settlement of the
ouestion OF Protection to home industries as the
future policy of this country. Shall we not con-
tinue TO possess in the past your powerful advo
cacy that this issue be and henceforth the issue
in the contest Immediately pendingf If so, count
ON the Mississippi Valley as in the immense major
itv not for traitorous revenue REFORM" but for
permanent Endorsement of Protection to American
Interests as of necessity and unalteraby opposed to
British Free Trade. MILL Dof'
Chtoago Jan. 81 1871
SOME OF THE USES OF PROIECllON'