Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-02-10
A BLOW at the Free Traders


/ Hon. Washington Townsend, member
of Congress from the Seventh Pa district,
concluded 4 speech in the House few days
since as follows
"If manufacturing be susii profitable
business why do free traders not enter into
competition with those bloated capitalists.
and reap portion oftheirenormoiis profits? ?
"It cannot be that they are more virtuous,
sclf.sacrilicing and patriotic than the
manufactures, for business men seek their
own profit without much care as to the ef-
feet on the country. Capital always seeks
profitable employment, and if those cla-
morcrs for free trade believed that they
could make more money in manufacturing
than they can in their chosen occupations,
they wOuld soon transfer their capital to
better kinds of business. They don't be-
heve their own allegations. This clamor for
free trade or low duties does not come from
the farmer, for he knows that his best mar
ket is at home and that he can get the high
est price for his products when he has n
manufacturer near him to consume his
supplies.
1t does not come from the mechanic or
artisan, for he is well aware that he cannot
compete with the low wages and cheap capi-
tai of foreign countries. 1t docs come how
]
the great commercial cities, from the foreign
houses and their agents here, who know
that the more unrestricted foreign COM
merce is the greater will be their profit
! The men of Pennsylvania are charged with
| legislating for their mere sectional interest,
and against the interests OF the people.
| They deny the allegation, and turn to the
records of Congress to show that they take
! Il wider view of national interests and of
their duties to the nation.
"They have given their support to the
great West in pushing forward its vast lines
of railroads and other internal improve
ments. They aid in forcing the wool, hemp
and iron interests Of Kentucky. Missouri,
Tennessee and elsewhere, as fully rs their
own. They extend a helping hand to the
encouragement and protection ofthe cotton
and sugar business OF the South and South
west and the woolen and cotton manu-
facturcres of New England. The great
principle upon which they base themselves
is that the nations industry must be de-
Tended by national legislation against tho
cncrOachments foreign policies,
"Thcy hold the doctrine that the ale
glance of the citizen and his protection by
the government are reciprocal duties tnat
the men of the nation who pay taxes for
the support of the government and to aid in
the liquidation of the national deot and
who, with strong arms and stout hearts,
defend the country against invasion or
rebellion, are entitled to the greatest bene
fits that can be conferred by national legis-
lation; that it is the duty of the government
10 afford the people of the country, th(
opportunity doing the work ofthe coun
try with L prospect Of reaping for such labor
its Just reward
1, ~ ,I,,1 n. y ,,,l,
wishes to work is deprived of that op
portunitv by the Government legislating Il
give preference to the foreign laborer the
Government has failed to do its duty t.
citizens. They hold that free trade mean
America competing with i'll paid foreigners
that it means uncertain employment, lov
wages and scant comforts for the workman
and his family; that it means enforced ser
vice of women and children in mems EN-
ploymcnt, lack of education, mental AM
physical degradation and an absence of al
the eunobling impulses that make the In
| borer good and valuable member c
: society.
"On the other hand, they hold that pro
lection means steady employment for tn
laborer, artisan and mechanic at goo
q wages; that it means comfortable homes
= wel,-'urniShed tables, schools and educatiO
for children, lyceums, reading rooms an
churches, and the diffusion of such INTEL
Il gence among the masses as will consttu
Il an enlightened, prosperous, contented an
h happy people. They know that it will kee
# in wholesome activity the furnaces, forge
rolling mills and manufactures Of the NJ
} tion, and establish on the Hudson aud Del
o ware ship-yards that will furnish vesse
d that will carry all the commerce of Il
g Union.
. 'Such are tie views and principles of Il
2. representives Of Pennsylvania. And Il
d policy they endeavor to establish on su
le foundation will eventually be the settl,
policy ofthe government, which, while inu
Ing to the benefit of the individual men,
the same time promotes the welfare al
j. prosperity of The whole people of the n
Al tion."