The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-13
TIE TARIFF.

1t Is quite apparent that there is q
growing sentiment in the popular mind Of
this country in favor of free trade princi-
pies as contra-distinguished from the doc
trine of protection, and the letters and
dispatches from our Washington cores
pondent, which we are presenting to our
readers daily, show that Congress is not
unmindful of the universal interests ex-
hibited in the matter by the people at
large" .. .......- -.
Thus discourses our new and handsome
contemporary, the Boston Globe. Men see
things differently from diverse points of OBJ
servation, and so we beg to assure the
Globe that we don't see the sentiment of
the country growing that way at ALL
Washington letters and dispatches are very
entertaining and pleasant reading, but we
should hardly look to them, to ascertain the
sentiment Of the country. Not that the
representatives Of the press in Washington
are less truthful and reliable than Journal
lists generally. The perfection of profess
sional training has there been reached
Washington Irving, in his Knickerbocker
history Of New York, explains the various
theories of the origin Of the world Com
cts, he says, have been created for the
convenience Of philosophers. Only give
one of them q good manageable comet
and he will undertake to make any num-
Der Of worlds as good as this. Mounted
upon it like witch upon her Hypogrif he
will run full tilt upon one of them, knock
in dent for the valleys, ridge up
mountain chain, deluge it with water, or
finally knock it into flinders with switch
Of its tail. What the comet is to the
philosopher the Washington correspondent
is to the editor. For valuable considera-
ton, he will make you public sentiment
OF vast dimensions, but it may be mostly
stale" and very thin. We think the Globe
will find that this apparent growth of the
free trade sentiment is of this kind. I'M
mense, perhaps, but very gassy. 1t is
only a nebulous vail, extending along the
sea coast and visible especially where all
the great importers congregate. But be-
yond, the sun of a new day is rising to dis
perse the clouds, and to usher in a new day
for our depressed and burdened industries.
The people are awakening from decisions
and dreams, to accept the grand truths of a
new social science. They are learning that
God has provided us the grandest resources
that we might build up the moral and in
tellectual structure Of our society, upon the
sure basis of a diversified industry that
all industries are harmonized with each
other, and Labor with Capital. Each be-
ing essential to the other in the full
and symmetric development of the nations
life that our duty is to foster and protect
all, and organize an Eden of beauty and
use on this continent.
Silently but with sure steps, the people
are following those safer paths which their
common sense, better than all the learning
of the schools, point out to them. The
captivating formulas Of the professors have
no power to seduce their loyal hearts.
The thunders of free trade, and the
earthquakes of Revenue Reform, have no
terrors to deter their steadfast march.
They advance to achieve the deliverance of
American Labor in the interest of Uniyer-
sal Intelligence, Liberty, and Civilization.
Their cause holds in it the safety and the
happiness of the crowding millions who
shall yet people this continent, and it will
surely win. ...s