Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-06-02
COMMUNICATED.
Protection TO American Industry
M q


To ioretel what the result of measure will
be before its adoption, or an opportunity given
to test its merits, is not an easy matter. but the
dullest intellect can comprehend its effects on
trade and society after it has become IL fixed
law of the land and fair trial extended. This
country has had many tariffs during the pres
eut century; high and low, aud the results, OF
each are Cd record, and constitute very prom
inent part 10 the political, financial and bust
ness history of the country. If at any time, g
high tariff was an evil, and low tariff ben
eit how easy it can be proven by the records
of the country, giving dates, facts and figures.
Why will politicians and pretended statesmen
argue and bubble over the question OF tariffs,
when little time earnestly devoted in exaDln-
ing the RECORDS, 1.-The very soul and body OF
the times, will remove all doubts at ouce. Ii
careful investigation Sustalus the charges that
the protection system in majority Of eases,
has been detrimental to The welfare OF this
nation, 20 sane man would hesitate moment
to give his Influence and vote to prevent a re-
currencc of the evil. But there's the rub u
The most determined research and ingenuity
of the most crafty politician would totally fail
to sustain such charge. Such au instance can
not be found 10 the records of the country; but
! on the contrary the benefits of high tariffs can
be demonstrated SO clear, and so positive that
the "Wayfaring man. thong foob need not
err" in his conclusions
Referring to history, we find the following sig
nihcant passage: In 1924 the distress OF the
country again forced the subject Of our Nation
al Industry upon the attention Of Congress. "
The protective system enforced 10 1872 expired
by it's own limitation in 1885, then followed
eight years of almost free trade; yet in 1924,
the distress" OF the country was again forced
upon the attention of Congress- The same
faithful historian thus explains the cause Of
this distress" Our exports bad dwinded
to an uncomfortable amount, while our imports
of foreign goods had largely increased; the
country was drained Of its curreDcy-its life
blood; disorder and embarrassment had been
introduced into all our domestic affairs; manu-
features were depressed, and neither cotton or
wool found here any sale; the produce of the
farmer was stored 10 his barns dead weight
upon his hands; bankruptcy perVaded every
| class blighting their energy and blasting their
hopes; the price Of labor was reduced almost
to level with that Of the impoverished ma
tons of Europe; the value of property had
fallen nearly fifty per cent. in eight years, &c.
| 1t became the duty of Congress to examine
! the causes of this wide spread and undeniable
distress, and in the opinion ofthe committee to
whose charge the subject was entrusted, the
lack of efficient protection to our home indus
try was the great central cause Of all the suffer
ing of the land, and bill was according report.
ed, revising the tariff OF 1916, and placing
American Industry 10 far higher and more
independent position than ever before occu
| pied" On the 16:b of April, 1924. bill,
protective in all its features, passed the House
by vote of l07 to l02 and soou after became
law, and what says history Of lis effects on
the country: 1.-The whole face of the country
was improved; all her great Interests were
aroused to life; the home markets being pro-
tected FROM the foods of foreign goods, the
| currency OF the country was kept at home; land
steadily rose 10 value, aud the prosperity Of
the people seemed placed 90 secure and per-
manent foundation. Such was the operation Of
the tariff Of 1924, as shown by the experience
Of the seven years following its establishment. y
Here We have two pictures graphically
drawn; eight years of free trade and seven
years of protection. If any will take the
trouble to examine the business and financial
history of this country for the past seventy
years, he will find precisely the same results;
free trade and distress; protection and pros
perity Advocates of low tariffs prove it to
the CONTRARY if you can, or hereafter and for
ever, hold your peace. u. L.