Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-07-15
PROTECT AMERICAN LABOR.

OF all wealth-the true definition OF wealth being
that it is "the measure of mans power over ma
ture." Man finds the earth and all its agencies
in resistance to his dominion and hence the sig
nfcance of the command laid upon Adam to
"subdue the earth" The prosperity of Nation
being dependent upon the productiveness of its
labor, that interest ought to be its primary and
principal care. Out of this dependence and the
competition existing betwixt home industry and
the laborers of other lands arise the necessity
and justification, as defence of American La
Dor, of Protective Tariff. Defensive means or
measures are so far from being unusual or in
supportable that they are universal in the con-
Germs of individual life and it is incumbent upon
Nation to take like of its welfare. The
arguments used in favor of Free Trade are spec
ous but unsouud. 1t is not always advisable to
purchase in the market where goods are offered
at the lowest price. The bargain may be dear
one in the end. The question is not one of
price alone, but involves the consideration OF
the ability of the Nation or individual to incur
the expenditure. Take the history of the United
States as an illustration. We have always i'm
ported from Europe largely in excess of the
amount exported and consequently have been
compelled to remit the balance in specie. The
immense production of gold on the Pacific Coast
has enabled US to meet our obligations, but the
Nation is millions poorer because the gold was
not retained at home. The finances of Nation
like those of an individual, are tested by compar-
ing the income with the out-go 1t is perfectly
plain that so long as we buy abroad more than
we sell abroad, there will be just so much less
cash on hand The "remedy for this consump-
tion OF the purse" lies in wise and discrimina-
ting legislation for the protection of the Ameri-
compete with cheaper and more abundant cap
ital and labor on the Continent Is it not mani
fest that it would be better to manufacture
everything possible here rather than send our
money out of the country? But it is urged that
protection raises the price of goods, and is there
fore burden upon the poor man for the benefit
of capitalists. 1t is the experience of all that
the purchase of anything we need or fancy is not
so much question of price as one of ability to
buy. Unrestricted free trade has the effect of
flooding the market with cheap wares and taking
the money of the country out of it, Finally, al
though manufactured goods are plenty and
cheap, coin is scarce and financial distress the
result. The building of a furnace mill or fac
tory, in an agricultural community, enhances
the value of property in the locality, stimulates
the agricultural as we'll as all other pursuits,
creates market for the surplus labor and raises
the value of that labor. The doctrine of Free
Trade has never yet been practically enforced in
this country, and so long as the laboring class
es understand their own interests never will be-
They are the sufferers always in any derange-
ment of the finances of the country and they feel
it most, for in such case they are liable to want
the necessaries of life. Let them remember that
protection means increased employment and
higher wages. If some articles are thereby rem
dered more costly, the ability to pay is also en-
larged. The abundance and cheapness of our
provisions and of the raw material for manufac-
lures requires no defense against the like prod
ucts of transatlantic countries. The working
men are organizing everywhere for self protec-
tion. What they desire is employment and fair
wages Is not the direct way to attain this end
to build manufactures Can they com pete with
foreign laborers? Not at all. There are thirty
or forty millions of laboring men in Europe who
do not earn Sl0o year. In Germany, mechan-
les receive from forty-eight to ffty-four cents a
day. England is not much better. Skilled work
men earn about three dollars week in Ireland.
If when labor is partially protected in the United
States strikes are so common, what is to be ex-
pected from throwing the doors wide open to
competition with the nations of Europe? There
is no more important subject before the Amer
lean people than the tariff. The welfare of the
country demands fixed policy and consistent
legislation to encourage home manufactures and
employ the skilled mechanic and day-laborer.
This will most stimulate the production of our
home staples and do away with the fluctuations
that disturb our domestic industries. Let us
tax luxuries heavily, admit such staples as we
cannot pro6tably produce or produce at all or
which we need as raw material TO manufacture
duty free if necessary But, by all means, let
us not require the American workman TO COM
pete with the halfpaid laborer of Europe. In no
way can we contribute so much to the wealth
and greatness of the country and at the same
time serve the workingman than by establishing
and adhering to judicious, discriminating pro-
ductive policy. This question has figured large
ly in politics heretofore, and will come up here
after. Although different Administrations have
been elected upon platforms denouncing a pro-
tectve tariff, there never was time that some
industrial interests were not protected. No Ad-
mnstration ever inaugurated a system of abso-
Lutte and unrestricted Free Trade, and the neces-
sity of protection to some extent stands practi-
cally admitted We have practical illustrati ton
in this State of the necessity oc enforcing this
principle. Democratic Conventions and speak
ers pronounce in general terms in favor of Free
Trade InHariahlu hnwavar Il Ia In sis L..