New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-10-13
FREE SUGAR-.-ITS DANGER,

FREE SUGAR---ITS DANGER.
While waiting for the verdict in the
great States of Indiana and Ohio, we can
not better occupy the time than by recur.
ring to domestic question second only
in local importance to the great results
now pending. We find the question made
whether the provisions of the recent act
of Congress admitting Sandwich sugars
free applies to certain other countries
with which we have treaty relations. The
Treasury Department has thus far refused
to allow the benefit of the act of Congress
to the republic Of Dominica and to Porto
Rico, dependency of Spain. Let us see
what is involved in the question: Porto
Rico last year exported to the United
States III, OS4 tons of sugar, or in round
numbers something less than 100000
hogsheads of sugar The 1nolasses ex-
ported from the same country was 1850,
915 gallons.
The sugar exported from San Domingo
is not quoted, the labor being principally
devoted to the production Of Ga, 774, s6l
pounds of free coffee, cotton. cocoa, etc.
As sugar country San Domingo is not
surpassed by any other country in the
world.
We have read the argument of the Sec
rotary of the Treasury against the admis-
sion OF the sugar and molasses of these
two countries duty free. We trust lis
argument is sound, but it has yet to I'M
dergo the construction, as he says, of the
courts. We will add that it must also
become subject Of treaty construction.
We can not forget that other nations with
whom we have these relations will CON-
municate their construction of the Sand
wich treaty, nor can We forget that "all
treaties made under the authority of the
United States shall be the supreme law Of
the land" as is the constitution itself.
1t is therefore evident that the decision
of the Secretary of the Treasury is, as he
says, but temporary. He says:
Tho department, waving the constitu-
tional question, if any be involved, for ad-
Indication by the proper tribunal, etc.
We may expect. therefore, that those
importers-and especially the sugar re-
fners-who have already filed their
protests in the courts Of the United States
will pursue the inquiry, and that foreign
powers alive to the interests of their sugar
planters will make diplomatic demand
to be subrogated to all the rights Of the
Hawaiian government. What would be
the position of Louisiana were the duties
taken off from the sugars even of Porto
Rico2 We have shown product already
imported into the United States approach
ing the whole product OF Louisiana. What
would prevent the increase Of this vast
crop?? What will appease the human
appetite for free sugar, and what can arrest
future treaties, similar to that with the
Sandwich islands?
There is another danger. Should the
same spectators who have made use of
he Sandwich islands as field of produc-
ion, or an excuse for smuggling, adopt
he same policy toward San Domingo, we
nay apprehend o similar result, and with
hese large fields Of cheap production, and
If contraband supply we may apprehend
cry great danger to the sugar interests Of
louisiana. 1t is in this point of view we
onsider the Republican principle Of pro-
echon to American interests of inesti-
nable importance. An alliance between
he principal protected interests in the
Inion will give us safe tariff on rice
nd sugar, and thus guarantee the value of |
ur lands and labor.
There is another point Of view in which |
be Democratic party of the South have
great error. They have de-
led the colored population their rights.
hey have obstructed the acquisition of |
roperty. This election may determine
neither the colored man has the right to
ote. 1t may determine whether he is to
8 serf, incapable Of acquiring or hold
e property. Suppose that in the in
;rutable providence Of the Almighty,
,ainst whose DEGREES the works Of man
e as feathers in the tempest, all sugar,
Ike all coffee, should be admitted into
Ie American market duty free? With
q decline Of profit and of wages here,
az come Development of sugar culture
the fertile and free lands Of Porto Rico
ID Domingo. What, then, will pre-
mt the colored population Of Louisi-
Ia from seeking those countries, as
II own ancestors sought this country
r freedom end for property? The ances-
IS Of many Of our colored citizens came
mn San Domingo. 1t is far more easy to
turn. Our ancestors crossed the ocean
sail vessels Of sixty or seventy days
yage. POrt-au-Prince, in Domingo, is
It four days Off by steam. Should
nptation there and prescription here
presented, what will retain the coIored |
&c here? Their PROPERTY their social
Under Democratic policy
ey will have neither. They can go
til without an impeachment, without
,rifce, and, we fear, almost without q
,ret. Then what a terrible vengeance {
ght be theirs. Not murder, or fire, OR
but the terrible competi- I
n Of free labor, in lands free and as t
tile as those they have titled for others. '
t it not be said that this result is i'm ]