New-York tribune., 1872-05-10
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
sopu,eus oF FREE-TRADE.


Carey Baird. III ~ po;rd
The American editor Of this work Mt H. W o"i,H'
Aas ,orforrned a valuable service by bringing 'nis
nornlar treatise on political economy 10 'ne a'o"
tion of intelligent readers in this country ~ naS
long maintained high rank IN England US piu
auciion of masterly Vigor and acuteneSs' 'no nnVn
edition having been recently published at an inter-
val of about twenty years from its first appearance
The antbor who occupies an eminent position on the
rnglsh bench. is distinguished no less for his
familiarity with principles of commercial business,
than for his profound knowledge of the general
branches of jurisprudence.
In the preparation of his work, he has had no view
70 any party interests, but has written with the
single desire to promote the attainment of truth on
a complicated and difficult subject. His treatment
is marked by simplicity of method and Language,
presenting the results of abstrse inquiry in sngu-
Iarly popular form. striking instance of this is
given in his chapter on Laissez faire OF the gov
ernmental policy of letting things alone"
One Of the most common and invincible felacies Is
that things good by nature and spoiled by art, art
20 said Rousseau OF an indivdua SO many sun
saw of human society II common error; most young
fall into it, and are only undeeeVea & Dy oeT dr e i
penence. II is nvincibe, for having ITS fooI 1sep % IN
human nature 1t springs again with every resh genera
Rnt # Is nevertheless an error Everything may be i'm
proved by culture Nothing so natural as art The IN
digenous sOes and crabs and weeds OF England when
cultivated and improved IN orcharus ana o9 &
pums and apples and flowers. Man wltnOuE
stupid, sensual terocons, and disgusting savage; ;
Such is natural uncuuvated nan nYI a. PV rvaIIers p
actually sec him. The same human creaIIe suyeTIVi yd "a
20 early culture, instructed, dlscplned %
but a little lower than the angels. l., .Ao
Nor is artificial regulation less necessary to man IN tne
aggregate than to Individually. Life personal hD,
ery and nvioabity, family, property reputation, are
guarded by laws complex and aTtlcla IN 20 not %
the advanced stage OF society Fersonal oi -
entirely prevented nearly extrpaed by an arneai m
nInmber and intensity by the compensation which in
most the injured party Is entitled to exact rO Ie
forcement of the marriage contract by the state is the
artificial source Of the endearing and humamzng rea
family duties, family education, family restraints Win,
draw the OF the law eave sng % sn
institution OF property the spring OF al industry ana
laws civil and criminal defining its limits protecting its
enjoyment and securing its peaeeable and certain Trans
vulgar eye surveying the surface and admiTi1S H
the achievements OF modern society," penetrates not 10
its anatomy-to its secret but complex mechanism.
Much that is due TO art is attributed to nature:
stitution OF society will disclose not only artificial
political arrangements, but commercial and fiscal ones
power. the grandeur, and the duration OF states Inc
possibility of such artificial regulations Is ageeaD&ie & 70
analogy and experience forbid the expectation that In
crease Of wealth and its fair and equitable dlsrDuOn
by the full various aud permanent employment Of the
people VIII flow from the detatone system. ON the
Contrary there much TO apprehend that the
natural course OF things will here elsewhere be
vicious one that the OF national wealth will not
Increase as 1t might be made TO increase that ls us
ibuuon will be imperfect that land VIII be but half
cultivated that employment wl be PEee%aPuS % Sot ana 6
clothed fed and housed as they ought to be and might
Let us incline ourselves before the teachings Of history
What triumphs has the ietaons system to show since
the world began On the other hand, history Is full OF
the marvellous achievements Of industry forced into
artificial channels by the foresight power OF wise go
Ancient and modern history each presents examples Of
an artificial direction OF industry, not only assang and
subduing the apparently nvincble infecundty OF the
soil but compelling ever after 10 iced successive gene
What was Egypt by 6t sste s 9@9 nOd YG
full of black mud, too thy TO siake the thirst OF wash
the person. OF little use except 10 the rats, the
Immense abors at length achieved dominion it.
Canals reservoirs and mutiform eontTyances Tor IT.
health, cleanliness, and fertility; Now there Was ana
Of bad government under the PharaOhs the Persans
Ptolemys the Romans, the Caliphs the Mameukes and
E@yp have been ali this While it, three thousand years
ago, our modern theories had been in fashion there -
tempt force labor and capital into artificial channels
Lands Bny at a cheaper rate from your neghbOrs, the
Arabs the Numdians the Carthagnians the Syrlans
take Of themselves Latsses fare iatSses ar in
other words remain as you are. 49,. +. ,- ~,
Ancient Egypts parallel and antltype is modern Hol-
In Holland below the level Of the sea- and the surface
Of adjacent rivers and canals have been created by
human art fat pastures teemng with hock and herds,
and thriving population OF nnumerable cities, towns
and villages Tie very coast is an artificial fertilization
tSe Country ifeTe he is deed by leagues artificial
sea banks-there by miles Of granite masonry Rivers
and canals made TO feet above the level OF
the country Armies OF ndeatigable windmils are per
srday popuIoas opGlent and splendid cities rest but
ON piles driven into the mud This concentration OF
native industry and art on the most unprOmisng OF
soils resulted only in agricultural but COMMERCIAL
prosperity. The seventeenth century saw Holland the
greatest of maritime and commercial powers, under the
most enlightened Of governments. When religious
bgOuy dsgraced and dep0puated alKe Cathohc tIahre
aud Protestant England, Holland became the sanctuary
of religious liberty From Holland English furitans set
sai North America, and founded yet greater state
where else, with the same results FROM hOiahu came
the power which sustained in England ITSELF not only
Commercial policy enduring years and leading
the grandest consequences AT tins day. therefore
debtors TO what would be deemed to be the unscen
tnc and misdreced industry Of the Seven United Pro
Compare this artificial legislation in ancient Egypt
and modern Holland with the tdone system IN Ireland
Wei NAV a living French writer and statesman OF in
sontestable ability and experience, for he has been
dnS Pe s8sdm MRlser af e spsSm wS would aSa and
everywhere leave labor and capital TO their own course
ms in use that ills "a system Of indifference, inacon
Impotence and folly" ,,
unuhuenced by legislation Is impossible You must nave
revenue; you must have customs ana excise duties
5t@sVeT harm or help 6Gndred sorts Of industry
will the harm and the most good surely spring from
e Sai o T % e StG1 %f s @ tnsi and
yOu will be sure 70 bit the mark"
His remarks on the prevalent maxim of the mer-
camille world Buy in the cheapest market are Of
similar character.
recommendation perfectly sound, provided you are
sure that every will be fully aud prohably EN-
pioyed in producing the of purchase he
before that event. 10 buy In the cheapest market
though il should he foreign one, is the manifest pc
Bat # the foreign market for exports be s it always
isJ hunted 40 that preparation Of exports will
employ the whole industry that was before employed,