The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-05
Old Political Observation-Disclosures
and "Free Trade

II
with public journals, and that it is their
fate, Or rather their fortune, to be deluged
Though in a lesser degree) with constant
flood Of correspondence making suggestions,
offering advice or giving utterance to criti-
cisms and complaints. Emerson in one OF
his lectures, refers to the extensive CORE
1 spondence and wide personal intercourse of
statesmen as an abatement of their claims to
originality, arguing that a mind which is
perpetually fed with suggestions may get
credit for fertility beyond its unassisted re-
sources. Carlyle, on the other hand in his
remarks on Mirabeau, who was great bor-
rover in this way, maintains that it is one of
the marks of superiority to gain such an as
cendancy over other minds as to be able to
subsidize their labors as mon
arch lays tribute on his subjects
like o river whose volume is swelled by
the smaller streams Of half continent. We
! incline to think this the sound view and
that the utility to the public of statesmen of
commanding faculties is increased by the
readiness of other minds to secure currency
for their best ideas by getting them adopted
by men who can enlist public attention. A
great journal, which circulates everywhere,
enjoys the same advantage with more than
proportionate share of its attendant annoy
ances But even the most tedious and vapid
Of the communications offering advice to the
editor are welcome as sometimes affording
\ knowledge Of what is passing in the public
mind, while the more intelligent often sup
I ply hints which brighten our columns with
ideas (which we are only the vehicle. The
present state of affairs is more fruitful than
ordinary in such volunteer counsels, most Of
which we can only weigh and reject
Among other things which have recently
been pressed on our attention as remedies
for existing evils are the old questions of pro-
lection and free trade, one set of correspond
ents asking us TO advocate protection rs the
great cure Of business stagnation, and an
other class, equally confident and Jealous,
think the true remedy is to be found in free
trade. There is a strong odor Of fossilism
in both parts Of this contradictory advice.
Nothing at present takes a feebler hold
on public attention than the contro-
versy between protection and free trade.
We have looked through all the political
platforms Of the year and cannot recollect
that the word protection" or the phrase ''free
trade has appeared in them. AT any rate,
the question has been given no prominence.
With the exception of one or two journals
which have made it hobby the political
press is as silent on the subject as the
party platforms. 1t has ceased to be a
question on which any newspaper can excite
the interest Of its readers. Governor Tilden,
in his recent speeches, has q great deal to
say on the kindred subject of taxation but
he is careful to take it quite out of the old
grooves and his utterances may be searched
in vain for any allusion to the controversy
which the last Democratic National Conven-
ton extinguished as political issue by the
odd device Of renting it to the Congress
sional districts.
We think it fortunate that the country is
quietly getting rid of the phraseology Of this
old controversy, which, in spite Of its habit
ual employment in the literature Of political
economy, is absurd and misleading. The
word protection" is well enough understood
in its appropriate applications, but it is a
confusing misnomer when it refers to the
tariff. The chief object for which govern
ments are formed is, indeed, to afford protec-
ton but protection against what? Why,
protection against injustice, against vio-
lence, against mobs, against Instructions,
against invasions. But, forsaking this
proper meaning Of the word, the advocates
of high tariff demand protection against
low prices, as if low prices were an evil in
stead Of benefit as if it were an advan-
tage to pay three dollars for an article which
might be bought for two 1t is ridiculous to
talk about protecting" people from making
good bargains and getting the worth of their
money. Protection, in any proper applica-
ton of the term, is a defence against evils,
not an obstruction to benefits. To talk Of
protection against cheapness and abundance
is an abuse Of language, artfully introduced
to disguise the robbery Of the whole com
munity for the profit Of a few
The phrase I" free trade" is almost equally
Objectionable in point Of propriety Trade
can never be absolutely free in a well ordered
community. Free trade in diseased meat,
in adulterated milk or groceries, in poison
GUS drugs, in alcoholic liquors, is not allowed
and never ought to be allowed under any
civilized government Our inspection laws
and license laws are standing proofs that
general public sentiment requires trade to
be regulated in the interest Of the COM
munity, and the degree Of regulation must
| depend on the varying requirements of the
/ public welfare. Free trade can no more be
tolerated by the federal government than by
the State governments. II is one of the
duties of Congress = to regulate commerce."
and the very idea Of regulation i'm
plies restraint. To facilitate the col
lection of duties Congress establishes
| "a, - cr4rr. aud ;ptardictc not ov,l,, Eco