The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-05

by the laborers In every creative in
dustry in every State Of the Union.
These men do not care about ADAM
SMITH or JOHN STUART Mill. Probably
thcy never heard of them. They are utterly
Indifferent TO the logic Of political econo-
my. But they are not Indifferent to wages
and they demand conditions in which they
can sell their labor at high pay. Illogical
ignorant of RICARDO, unconscious of BAs-
that, they think they see that every
cargo of British rails imported into the
country takes the place of so much Ameri-
can iron, and TO that extent narrows the
market for their labor. With them that
ends the discussion.
The laborng men of the country have
never yet taken part in the debate between
protection and free trade. This debate has
been confined to statesmen. newspapers,
politicians importing merchants, manufac-
turing capitalists, college professors and
the theoretical students of economic ltcra-
ture. The temper with which labor will take
part in the inquiry was exhibited in the
railroad strikes last July. The strikers not
only insisted on high wages. but insisted
that other men should not do the work
which they refused to perform. until their
demands Wore complied with. They treated
their employment by their respective COM
panics as property something that belonged
to them; and they threatened death to
new men who should take their places
and throw them out Of work. Tie
degree to which their proprietary
claim was respected within their own
order was astonishing. This shows how
they will meet the propositions of the free
traders.
The substitution Of foreign labor for do
nestle labor ii ii could be- effected by an
act Of Congress. would not be as WISH
bic as the furclblc placing of engineers
and brakemen ON train in the midst of
u crowd Of strikers. II would not arouse
passion 50 quickly The objects for resent
ment would be out of reach 10y clubs and
stones. Yet laborers Of average Intelligence
throughout the United States understand
that free trade would import foreign labor,
and. TO n certain extent, Misplace their own.
In fact, there is not now. and has not been
for twenty years in Pennsylvania,
Democratic member of Congress who dared
To vote against n protective tariff. As par
ties are divided, the Democratic is consid-
to favor protection; but In PENNSYLVANIA
the Democrats are as stout protectionists
as the Republicans; and when brought TO
the responsibility OF n vote after long pub
lie debate, the Democratic Congressman of
New Jersey, Connecticut, and other manu-
featuring States would almost certainly
dodge the roll call on bill the effect of
which could be shown to be to import labor,
If they did not vote squarely against it. To
argue to their constituents in the factories
and shops that free imported goods would
be cheaper, would be of no use. To argue
that relief OF trade from restrictions would
Increase the productiveness and purchasing
power OF the country, would be waste OF
breath. Loss Of employment is all the
laborers would sec, and over that they
would become politically riotous.
The advocates of free trade can afford to
proclaim their hostility TO the manufacture
ing capitalists. and 10 attack them as the
recipients of Federal bounty, the beneficial
ries of special legislation. But it will be
found that they are not without II strong
popular support. Varied and large interests
are gathered around manufactures Indus
trial centres are markets for food, clothing,
and the supply Of every need Of domestic
Lille. The transportation interest that is
connected with manufactures is immense.
The demand they create for tools and ma
chinery gives employment to a large body
81 skilled laborcrs. All these interests are
directly concerned in maintaining the pro-
tective character Of the tariff; and We fancy
that for many years 10 come the agitation
OF the free trade philosophers must be prac-
tically iruitless. However, they believe in
their ideas, and the partisans of any sys-
ten always find ample satisfaction in pro-
claiming it. Neglected. Indifference and
fierce hostility are alike to the true apostle.