The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-09-04
AMASA WALKER AND HIS REM.
EDIES.

Amasa Walker, of Massachusetts, is, we
believe. conceded to stand among the fore.
most OF the political economists of the
country. This particular subject has been
at once the study and the pleasure of life;
hut he would. probably, have remained I'M
known, as such, but for one of those sud-
den, unaccountablc and temporary politi-
cal cxcitements, which occasionally starlc
md ovcr-run the country, by which he was
brought into that prominence where his
peculiar abilities have ever since kept him.
His opinions upon any question connected
with political economy or finance are al
ways entitled to consideration and
weight, although he-likc all other special
ists-is apt to found his utterances too
much upon general theory-which would
be applicable and unqucstionable if il could
he put in force everywhere alike-rather
than upon the same theory, modified by the
particular position of our own country.
taken in its practical relations to other
countries. a certain proposition may be
correct in theory, and its practical work
ing, might be admirable and result in the
good OF all, but in order to make its adop-
ton good policy, it must he of universal
application. Free trade, in theory, is cor
rect and unanswerablc. When, however,
the laws of different countries are taken
into consideration, and when the sovereigns
OF America the laboring men are SOW
creigns-are compelled to compete with the
paurer labor of Europe, the question as
snmes altogether another aspect. We do
not propose to discuss the question of free
trade or protection, although we believe
that Henry Clays american system" is
correct in theory and practice, yet we can
not forbcar the remark that free trade in
theory may he all right. but when it comes
to he considered as II matter of political
economy protection to home industry must
be considered as an important element, and
one which, until all nations shall be of one
accord, will render It impossible of adop-
lion. We have only referred to this mat
Ter because Mr.. Walker, in all Of his con-
too much a theorist. If all of the nations
oi the world were alike in the strictest in
tecrity in habits, in thought, in prices paid
for labor, etc. and only differed in the
nature of their productions, then, perhaps,
his theories ought to become business axi
oms. With the world or even the United
States taken by itself--as it now is, theory
must be modified by the actual situation
With this rather long introduction, we
come to the speech delivered by Mr.. Wal
ker--a brief abstract of which we publish
ed Tuesday morning-delivere before the
''patrons of husbandry" in Boston, Mon
day evening, on the railroad question, and
which deserves more attention than has
been given to II, both on account of the i'm
portance of the subject and the well known
character, studies and ability Of the speak
er. In the first place we desire to take
issue with him on one point, and that il
mat Ut is eminently farmers question"
inns Is the text of his speech, although, be-
fore he closes, he sadly departs therefrom.
Every man, woman and child, in the coun-
try is interested in this matter, and to the
same extent as is the farmer. 1t is not they
alone that suffer from extortionatc exac-
lions In the way of freight, but every con-
sumner In the land, also, suffers. Indeed,
we think that the n-producing classes
are the greatest sufferers. The farmer can
Ixfns L.. r.. m.
products of his farm. There Is scarcely