New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-08
RICE FOUR CENTS.
LABOR REFORM.
CONVENTION OF THE NEw-ENGLAND LABOR RE-
FORM LEAGUE-ADDREss BY HORACE GREE
LEY-YEsTERDAYs PROCEEDINGS.


FORM LEAGUE-ADDREss BY HORACE GREE
LEY-YEsTERDAY's PROCEEDINGS.
The New-England Labor Reform League
continued s sessions Saturday at Cooper Institute.
In the afternoon VIM. Vert made an address on Good
Government versus Bad Government In the evening,
after some remarks on the "Money Question, by Mrs.
f. Daniels Of Boston, Horace Greeley introduced.
and spoke on Protection versus Free Trade"
ADDRESS OF HORACE GREELEY.
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: Our friend,
who has just addressed u.s. very correctly remarked that
every one has his hobby Every has pet scheme
OF reform. Now, then, before commence my argument
tonight, let me suggest my own which does not at all
conflict with hers. am not here 10 Judge that but
only TO propose one that seems TO me little
more effective than hers. 1 was down at
Richmond about four years ago: and Mr. Gerr Smith,
who was also there and myself were invited 70 address
the colored people Of that in the African church
there. They all working people; don't think they
loved work very WELL and have very many
who did for the sake Of work. (Iaughter But they
had got ideas in their heads of the great benefits Govern
ment would do for them. They had opportunities as
good as you and l. perhaps-not possibly good-but
after ALL they had ideas OF some great thing 10 be done
for them through political influence and power. Among
others the idea prevailed that every man was to have 40
acres Of land. Mr. Gerrit Smith said TO them: Come,
you black men OF Virginia. understand you want land
Now let me tell you how to get it, My friend here and
myself not drank-either of usa drop OF liquor In
30 years and if you will do for the next 80 years as We
have done for the last 80 will guarantee that you VIII
own half the land in Virginia"
have lived in this city 40 years have been concerned
in labor jOurneyman employer, and so on; and In
that 10 years. in my judgment, the working people, am
speaking OF the poorer Glass; those who worth but
little money and work mainly for othershave spent for
liquors and tobacco money enough to have gwen them
half the property in the city in their hands to-day, If
they had simply let alone drink and tobacco as have
done. Applause don't suppose that is all there s to
be said in opposition to my friend. am mot saying
that her scheme is not good or is good one, but
very that my own is very effective and very
practical AppIause The working men could take
their hands tomorrow. and If they would just let
alone alcoholic liquors and tobacco they need not COM
plain OF poverty. lApplause.l
was first asked by friends who proposed TO hold
this General Council OF Labor Reformersf would care to-
appear disputant with some one who advocated OPP
pose political economy TO mine, and answered, as
think the President will assure you that 1t didn't seem
that that form the best adapted TO the eucida
ton OF the truths II may be in some cases. but would
prefer THAT some gentleman the other side should
speak for himself and should speak my views in.
my own way. He replied 10 me- al will give you the
platform this evening, and you shall what you'
think IT. without reference 10 what other man may
say who holds opinions directly contrary to yours He
will present his views doubtless at the proper zine, as
present mine. proceed then 10 illustrate the prob
lem of Protection 10 Home Industry"
THE NATURE OF PROTECTION
The first question is What do mean by prOtec-
toni 1 will explain by illustrations. In the
middle, nearly, OF this great country from It's
northern Its southern extremity, rolls the mighty
river known as the Mississippi Here are the richest
the Of the globe considered in that general
aspect Now them that river is great source of ferti-
ity; great channel OF water communications great.
blessing TO the land; but the lower part OF 1t runs
through region probably originally an arm of the sea-
afterward TO extent lake, then great marsh..
through the middle OF which that river swiftly running
and overlooking banks whenever high, has built up
each side imperfect barrier against its own deyas-
tsons This is known a evee; that is great bank.
which holds in the water and prevents it from flowing,
over the country each side and devastating farms and
plantations wherein great harvests are Cleaned. Bu1
these levees nature made them capricous; wide
and mighty weak and unstable in otherand
occasionally az we have lately heard when great rise
takes place. generally at this little earlier in
the wear the river bursts through the eyee point
and carries devastation the country Now then,
what be done The natural impulse 10 strengthen
the leyees where they are weak, low, in danger OF
breaking through make them heavier and stronger ana
hrmer But who shall DO that The who lives right
on the leveel "No" says he, why should do that
Why should spend 100000 when my whole estate not
worth slOOOOw The natural answer il, All those who
are to benefited the levee In other words it
he a matter general consideration and Of general
public expenditure. AT pubic cost ana Dy paDlc Vlg-
nient practical way save the State: and when
the state mean the political orgdnt-dtto, not speaking
must take care that the eyees are not broken through
and the country inundated and its wealth destroyed Is
not that a simple propositioni
Now let Just what the gentlemen who differ frOIs
on this question say to that point THIS Is the hrs
little while ago. proposed by DR.. Ray very excellent
friend of mine while he lived and very able advocates
Whereas. each citizen country 70 have and to.
.me wSere chooses to take What pea to pay therefor
let e. . IN zoe sl n Is he and NAV not '
ridden without danger to all bis other rights etc , Won and r.
may be taxed-smpy TO maintain law ana order In inc
State and that any tax imposed upon us for any other
purpose than that is usurpatOn and oppression. The
doctrine presume, may be found set forth IN the Jour
one purpose for which right you, and that
20 maintain law and order in the state protest against
also demand public attention and involve public exgen-
dture, just well as to maintain law and order That
Is not exclusive You see that their doctrine utterly ex-
cudes the idea that the people who are benefited ny
those eyees may be taxed 70 uphodlhem completely
denies that and says, III you tax then lor hat P"Pos"
| you expressing and injuring them
| THE ERIE CANAL.
let us take another casehe Erie Canal in the State or
NewYork These canals were made at the risk OF the
people of the State of NewYOrk. They were MADE 10
achieve a great public benefit When they were com
menced wheat in the western part OF this state was
worth 30 sometimes no than Is cents a bushel,
while it was worth here much as IL Is now IL was
worth four times as much even N te at. n Of tbe western
side Of this state whyl Because OF The enormous
| COS. ~, dragging it by teams across tne s"aHps.
rs .n.b tie forests then covered large part or
the STATE Dewitt Clinton said we Will built canal
,hron the state that will enable us TO bring our pro
ILL., - market very much cheaper" Now, that was
inst as thorough defiance OF the principles OF Fse
Trade 10 dig that canal at public cost at pubic riss
"a mnudent as utterly dehanta was posi- e 10 make
it Nearly onehaf the people OF the state SAID " you
~, canal build IT, Don't tax me for IT, don't want
,nv canal" one honest Dntchman, VINO nved on tnose
SestifIll Mohawk Flats killed himself al ms own a1or
p.osuse they dug that ditch through MS beautlfni
meadows have heard men arguing that te cana wa