New-York tribune., 1871-05-31
TIE FREE TRADE LEAGUE TO ITS SUP
PORTERS AND THE PUBLIC.
REPORT NO. 5.

The last report of the League WAS issued IN
October, 1870 seven months ago since then che agt-
ton for a reform OF the tariff has made marked progress
as the following facts VIII show In the Lower Branch
4 the XLIs Congress which expired on the 4n OF aSt
March, the Protectlonists had MoTkhg & Tn m
free salt and coal by votes of 4s to 49, 1870 TO So MT he
ley admits that he is in minority ana Msssr & DIVES s
and Bingham authors OF the wool ana woOiehs tdI VI
1857 OF the most extensive protective measures ever
In The senate OF Mist Congress the Protectonsts
shown TO be In minority by test & vote & 81 y feS ~
the present Senate the reformers are sti stronger ana
the House bulls to free salt and coal would nhqueslioh
aby have passed eOnld vote have been obtained upon
them The action OF the Republican caucus, eOnfning
the business OF the Senate to kukux legislatloh pre-
vented vote while the two PeSI[g sor m soX
ing Il of The fact that such means mad TO 1e rored
to- the advocates of these monopoes feared
the results of direct vote. . . e. -
While such evidences OF the growth OF the agitation as
fire above are most encouraging, II must be admitted
that there asSt formidable obstacles in the way OF re-
FORM greatest is the sacrifice of principle and devO-
and Congressmen not that thervote be spared
but their action dscredts Their party IL mat
ters mot whether reform comes through the DeOcralc
tbe1 Marty sbouid he faithfully representative Of
the principles we contend for When great party is s
gaeiOus enough to force an Issue WIN s oIPoI Pon
vote Ipop IT, unenbaTTassed By questions growing out
of the late war, victory VIII certainly result 10 that
Uarfv Whatever may be its name 1t Is longer
s9rv 10 convince people OF the inutity and injustice
of a protective tariff but an opportunity 10
act no convictions already formed is most necessary
49,. jn can only be attained through organization. PO
C,i Isodrrs viii compromise differences opinion I'm
e ks Of their parties until side the other
fuses oil compromise and is strong enough in numbers
10 put opponents in small minority. Ad II should
now be the aim OF reormers to see that they are
in the National Conventions OF both the
or at partieS which viii assemble year hencc III lom
r Congress District where revenue refOrners are in
majority men who at once earnest and representa-
tive are sent TO these Conventions, prOtccuomst doctrines
viii disappear IRON the plattors and advocates Of mo-
opoly upon the floors of Congress viii at least keep
silent Revenue ref0rners all over the country should
understand tie necessity for individual exerions 10 per-
feet loo al organizations and by means oI systenatlC
efforts should influence the actoh OF lheT respective
Another obstacle the of reform the Ignorance
legislators upon the details of The tariff question and
the necessary conditions of reform. The vote in the
House OF Representatives coffee and tea, shows
that majority of the House does not know that these
Treasury and which protect nobody and that cut of
these large from unohjectOnable sources will
block the way TO further reform OF class OF duties Ike
those upon wooens and other fabrics and upon the
materials Of industry, which take IS from the people for
every dollar that the Government gets, and which have
destroyed our export trade and limited home eonsump
ton Or, a tno'e ,,vS who did voted T f4T taS
entire understanding of the consequences which
must follow sech policy they nave ttsn pToClailnea
system, without having offered any other method OF
raising revenge Inc obstacie resntng rom lnf me- E
perlence of legislators will be overcome ny
The organization OF the House into Committees, charsed
with the consideration OF the details OF proposed meas
,rcs. but better still by the pressure OF intelligent
opi}on from the districts of members, which can only
be adequately exeTted by organized bodies oI ther COLI
TSe attacks upon Protection the house Of ifs friends
by England wooden manufacturers ana shoe
and the resolutions OF the Boston Board OF Irade la'or-
x Free-TIade in ships, are very encouraging.
Tue practical work Of the League during tho past seven
months has been as follows 2i5O tracts nave Deen us
trihutod and two editions Of Bdset have been printed
and sold publications. entitled Ihe Icopte s
Pictorial Payer has been published ana 3OD copies
disposed of second edition OF like number Is now IN
press, The work Of Col william NJ GrosyenoT, pcs &
exUrcaon Of the League. The number of public meet
n held since the issue of the last report has been l0L
Hes Ai0 ' MAHioS SANDS,
Secretary American Free-Trade League