New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-10
PROTECTION IN THIS COUNTRY.
ADDRESS BY PROF W. @. SUMNER BEFORE THE IN
TERNATIONAL FREE TRADE ALLIANCE.

ADDRESS BY PROP. W. @. SUMNER BEFORE THE IN
TERSAHoNAL FREE-TRADE ALLIANCE.
Prof. Sumner of Yale College delivered the
first OF series OF addresses the History OF Protec-
ton in the United states before the International Free
Trade Alliance in this city last evening. Frederick
Harrison presided and Abraham L. Earle acted az Seore-
tary. At the conclusion OF the address, when was
frequently applsuded remarks made by A. Lloyd,
Daniel C. Robbins, Mr. Kemp, and Mr.. Earle Prof.
Summers address in part as follows
The vnr OF American Independence was revolt
against unjust taxation In the same year ihe Declare
ton Of Independence was adopted and Adam smith pno-
political the other acknowledgements the prevail
ing dogmas OF the mercantile systen OF poltca eeol
Omy. They twin incidents IN the revolt OF modern
life against the traditions OF the middle 1t at
pity and surprise that the last century mas seen
their developments diverge instead Of combining
The revolt of the American Colonies was AGAINST the
colonial system" which was itself only part OF
trade. According TO this theory nations were to be
isolated from each other They we're not regarded as
merely groups In the body OF mankind having common
interests but distinct and separate bodies having
hostile interests and ruled In their relations 20 one
In regard to trade Il believed that its object MAS 70
get possession OF mohey-preeous metas-that lnis VIE
wealth, and that only party TO exchange could
gain by IT, II naturally followed that complicated laws
which men thought wiser and better than those OF nature
II would seem natural that the emaneipat COLONIES
would seek free intercourse with 81 nations and II Is
very curious study 10 this logical tendency con-
icted FOR years after the revolution with inherited Ial
spOndence OF the American agents abroad and 10 see now
they argued and dscussedwth grave aDolt
the loss" which nation would suffer in trading
with another any shipment OF specie one way or the
other being regarded iniallibe sign OF loss Inc
Americans by clear N their Ideas and dd
not combat these notions ncipe, but apparently
conceded in them They sought equality and reciprocity
but they 10 the height OF the only true DOC
trine In an exchange both parties win else obviously
would refuse trade. II then party puts obsta-
probabT BENG Siyidrd If the other arty creates Sn
obstacle the gam still further diminished or destroyed
IL q matter OF regret therefore, when one parry IS
guilty Of this folly but only doubles the mischief ana
still further Injuries the other II he likewise berperates
the same folly This il the answer TO the well worn ana
stubborn notion that free trade Inuat DC IecprOca OF
would be good IL all nations would adopt It, one nat GU
which adopts trade ges than IL would II IL put
restraints though all other nations may nave re-
strans II Will share the gain II they follow It's example,
for the gain is multiplied at every step but even while
they hold ack il gains much as II eau ana maAes the
best of had state of thugs while waiting for them 10
come to q bet er mind, if II ADOPTS eedom
Tie American ministers had little success III tlcr Ell
forts TO make treaties such as nave dteilDea le one
With England was the one most eagerly desired. oaer
the prevailing notions the English had expected 70 suffer-
immense losses BY the 3nt ndc G,n n
war; and the trade found a. good as ever
was refused in I7e5 They did no; for any treaty
Here We come 10 the NET case In which currency
eign trade. Junction which has run through all our
history To the present moment aud when mas neeh pro
tnenal currency specie became very abundant here,
being brought 10y both French ANA English. The state
soon as the war @nled this specie was ali exported and
expended IN the purchase of goods long ssed Inc eN
goods from England in 1875 was SlO,OOOOO0 and the
exports $40 5000 In 1870 the imports were $4,000
600. and tine exports S45OOOOo Tnis explains ny te
English Veil satisfied with the revival OF tfade
During lie war many industries had sprung up 10 sup
ply the wants OF tue people for manufactures formerly
imported Al return VI peace these Industries were
ami cry began 10 DO made al tnat time thst
the country could stand free trade and thar u must
do a. England had alway dune that IT, initiate the Ola
restrictive sysem The real demand was tha some way
should found by law 10 continue upon tde American
people, by their net. the eis which the war pad lu-
tiicted them Whatever may have been the cDcct ot
peate 10 destroy tc mushrooms, hnd that there
were IN 1883, manu- acurcs Of irVD glass, paper and
cloth here which boasted OF as strong sud pros
porous and propositions were made by competent cap
ttlsts for mining iron large scale IN fenn-y wanna
winch fell only account OF tie turDulency Of the III
habtants and tue insecurity OF titles
In the Constitutional COnN enou the question OF ee
trade came up under the form Of desire fOr ndNlg-
ton law, and 1t at once took sectional iofn ne Es
ern states wanted the Constitution chiefly III order 10
get such n law The sOuthernmOst states wanted Tree
trade Tie positions Of the two sections were inverted
in regard 10 slavery while some Of the Middle states
wanted neither igtOn laws slavery Ii was one
of the compromises Of the Constitution tnat the power 10
regulate commerce waS Inserted, together win Tue AZ
lOwancC OF the slave trade IN IL 1905 undeT the ptfns-
sion slaves dollars per 1cad), ana the
prohibition OF export duties. No oner did the
House OF Representatives yet quorum IMAM the subject
OF revenue up and sooner was the SUBJECT O rev
Tho tariff Of 1883 Hyowedly adopted the principle OF
protection. The preamD read a. follows: Whe cas-, IL
necessary for support of the Government, Tor ne
discharge OF the debrs the United saes, ana the en-
land" DC. IL was declared TO be only temporary III
order 10 give infant ndust1 start, and was limited
In 1896. The duties levied under were equivalent 10
An ad ValOrem rate Sig per cent Ths tdin was tire
thin edge OF wedge. Tue duties were raised the next
year so as to equal IL per cent al vaorem rate and
Ia 1892 they raised to equal l3l9 per cent Between
II acts were passed affecting duties, generally and
steadily Ioslng them.