The sun., 1873-08-21
Free Trade.

During the last nifty years the contro-
versv respecting free trade and protection
has been an active and bitter one In our
politics. The cause of protection has gem
orally triumphcl; hut free trade has once
or twice got into power for "a short period.
There can be no doubt that az an all
straot question free trade is the true doc
triue. lust rs peace is the true doctrine in
International relations, Like war, protec-
tion l. exceptional and even those who
advocate IL most zcalously will admit,
when the question is brought down 10 its
elementary analysis, that the principle OF
the future. the principle which is To govern
the world when the permanent organiHi-
tion Of society il reached, will be free
trade: and that in that Utopian condition
protection will be unknown eNcept-likc
war, prisons, and paupcrism-as an Incl
dent in the carly, rudimentary, tansi-
uonal phases of society
In this country the controversy upon
this great subject has pretty much died
away ia consequence of the enormous
taxes that we are compelled 10 levy upon
every taxable thing. As articles imported
from abroad are very convenient for the
tax gutherCr 10 deal with u heavy proper
ton OF the inevitable burden has been
levied upon them, and VIII continue TO
be. The average rate Of duties exact, q
from imported goods Is forty per cent.
upon their value; and while this eXaction
is made primarily with view TO revenue,
il answers every purpose that the protoc-
/ uonist has ever contemplated. For this
/ reason there has been for the last ten years
/ comparatively little debate either in the
/ press or IN Congress upon the theories of
/ free trade or protection, and il has made
very little difference whether the rates of
duties were levied by one school of states
men or the other. free trader In the
Treasury Department could not propose
To collect less than forty per cent. and pay
| the interest on the public debt ana til,
regular expenses of the Government
! while n protectionist at the head of ouf
/ finances could not undertake 10 exact any
more than that average The only differ
cnce of opinion has been respecting the
details of duties; and while in this respect
great injustice has doubtless been prac-
tsed in levying exaggerated rates upot
some articles, there has been no great,
glaring, palpable ground of complaint
concerning the whole tariff, for the reason
that il has not produced any more revenue
than has been necessary.
And 80 we say the controversy has died
out or rather has gone to sleep. Healou'
theorists upon the side of free trade have
continually maintained their propositions
with their wonted ability and cogency
while zenlous advocates Of protection, lik'
the late Mr.. GREELEY for instance, hnv,
urged their propositions upon the public
in season and out of season, with admirn
bic earnestness and interesting force. AnC
yet neither one party nor the other o
these expounders has produced any per
ceptible practical effect, for tho reasol
that there was none to be produced, tn
duties must be levied and the revenu
must be had and so il will be for man
years to come.
Meanwhile changes have taken place II
foreign countries that seem likely 10 settl
the question for us, not merely for tn
time being but permanently. The heav
increase in the price of coal and in th
wages of labor have resulted not merel
in putting our industry and that Of Europ