New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-26
Secretary soutwelis Defense OF
Protection.

There is no man in the Union, unless he
has been manufacturer under the opera
tions both of free trade and a protective
tariff, moro competent to discuss intelligently
the policy OF protection to American indus
try, and its financial importance to the coun'
try, and whose views upon the subject are
entitled to more respect, than Secretary Bout
wells. His position in the House, as we'll
as at the head of the Treasury Department,
has necessarily made him thoroughly familiar
with the whole question. In his last annual
report he expressed in uumistakable language
his views as to the operation of the tariff, and
the necessity and benefits Of tho policy OF
protection. The following extract will show
what those views are. He says:
"The weight Of the national debt has been
so great that for more than ten years there
has been no opportunity for the practical dis,
cussion of the doctrines of protection and
free trade, and in that long period of an I'M
changed protective policy incident to the bur-
dens of the war, the nation has advanced
rapidly and safely in the development of its
natural resources. Anticipating condition
of peace, we may also anticipate general
reduction in the percentage OF custom duties
This reduction, however, should not be meas
ured solely by the wants of the Treasury,
but regard should be had also to the cOndi-
ton of the various branches of industry In
which the people are engaged. In presence
of the fact that the leading pursuits of the
country are stronger than ever before, in the
possession Of adequate capital and q supply
Of intelligent laborers, there may be moder-
ate reduction from time to time in the rate of
duties as the diminishing expenses Of the
Government shall permit, without even
alarming capital or injuring labor. For the
purposes of Government the principles of po-
litical economy are national and not cosmo-
politan. A nation that can produce a given
article at less cost than it can be produced
elsewhere may wisely accept free trade in it,
but a nation having natural advantages for
its production, yet destitute of skill in the in
cdent art or trade, must wait for the oppor-
tunity that sometimes comes from the ca
lamity of war, or secure more economical
and more constant support in the policy of
the Government If average natural facili-
ties exist, the period of necessary protection
is a short one, compared with the lifetime OF
nation, while the advantages gained can
never be wholly lost; but, if reasonable
natural facilities do not exist, then system
of duties for protection is a present and flu
ture burden without adequate compensation.
So varied and rich, however, are the natural
resources Of the United States that we either
are or may soon be in successful competition
with the older and more experienced coun-
tries of the world in the production of the
chief articles of personal necessity, comfort,
and luxury, and of the machinery by which
these articles are produced or obtained.
Herein is sufficient Justification of the exist
ing protective system, and for its continuance
during the transition period.
The reason for these remarks may be found
in tho opinion l entertain that the tariff sys-
tenn of the country has contributed largely to
the general prosperity, and that such general
and continued prosperity is the only basis on
which even a wise financial policy can rest"