The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-08
Free Trades Enemies in England.

II is very significant and suggestive to see
ihe London Times at this late day raising
It's voice in favor Of free trade II Mr. Cob
DIN were alive he would open his eyes wide
with wonder, for II there was n question
which was seemingly settled beyond dispute
IN England twenty-five years ago, II was the
hee trade question. Yet now the leading
journal ia the English metropolis finds il
necessary TO combat tho arguments Of
scores Of its correspondents, who call for
protection In some form or another. Ten
years ago, and even five years ago, the
Times would have been about as likely TO
print letters advocating the overthrow Of
The British Constitution, as serious assaults
Oh the policy Of free trade.
There i no denying the fact that very
considerable party in England is making up
IT, mind that the country has had too much
Of free trade and that there is something,
after all, Ia the once derided protective doc
trnes. II is plain enough that the Times
would not rush To the defence of free trade
and use its influence to deprecate rctaliatory
duties, II the enemies Of Englands long
seated policy were not numerous, and II there
was not an ominous and extensive dissatis-
faction with the workings Of n theory Of
commerce Of which that country has for so
many years been the principal champion.
Dur Free Trade League must feel very
respondent at thus seeing their pet idea
wounded in the house OF its friends.
The spread Of theories hostile TO free
lrade in England is also proved by the
Action Of the Birmingham Chamber Of Com
nerce, which, while drawing a dark picture
- . 10 af nj -
IN that district, finds 1t necessary TO record in
mild terms its opposition TO protection. At
all the great manufacturing centres Of Eng
land there is heard the rumble Of discomfort
with free trade The commercial depression
hon which the country Is now suffering as
Il has not suffered during this generation of
course tends to swell the dissatisfaction,
and we are confronted with the strange
spectacle Of a large and aggressive protec-
Zionist party in the very home Of free trade.
The change which is taking place in pub
Iic sentiment finds expression in the letters
advocating protection which crowd the Lon
don papers, and also In the modified tone OF
the journals devoted especially TO manufac-
turing interests. Thus the Engineer OF Nov,
6begins TO see protection In much more
favorable light than formerly. AT the
present moment" 1t says, England and
Switzerland stand alone as the uncompro-
missing advocates of free trade; and II would
be absurd 10 deny that such a people as the
Germans, to cite 4 single instance includes
IN its ranks Statesmen and political econo-
mists OF no mean reputation. But these
very men hold with the doctrine that GER
tain industries may with advantage be fos-
~ A fin N
show that there is more in the protectionist
movement than some persons are willing To
believe" The Engineer does not venture TO
advocate protection, but 1t is remarkable to
BEE it even acknowledging that there may
BE- reasonable argument in its favor. " For
ourselves" il continues, I'VE have always
held and still hold that Great Britain can.
not adopt that purely protective policy
which is now recommended with any advan'
tage. But this in no wise prevents us from
giving fair hearing TO those who assert
the contrary"
1t Ia a striking evidence Of the changed
Continent Of England when an argument il
favor Of protection IL even tolerated Tel
years ago man who seriously advocated
protective duties for that cAntry woulC
have been looked on al little better than
lunatic. and he could have got no journal O
any standing to print his ideas, Reading
some Of the English papers nowadays re
calls the late HORACE GREELEY; and thei
arguments have very familiar sound
Even HENRY c. CAREY would find then
palatahle. lit is Impossible, We think,
ysmArks the E9GRss. ITO deny that VI