The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-08-01
The True American Policy.

Inc Irue AmeTlCdu I UACJs
1t must Re recognized that the destruction
# slavery has changed the relations OF the
south to industrial endeavors. Instead OF
being mere producers, as when a subordi-
late and subservient labor system existed, |
We must, if we would progress, both pro-
luce and manufacture, so that we may keep'at |
lome the money resulting from our material
productions. AS it is we are drained OF all
we dig from the ground, by other sections. |
especially, is an intermediate State,
and as we manufacture nothing, as fast as
the industry Of our people brings forth the
wealth of the earth, it goes either North or
South to bring back something we have neg
lected to manufacture. We are thus kept
stripped Of currency, and are
made to labor for the enrichment OF other
sections to our OVID impoyerishment. This,
too, when there is not a territory on the
continent with so many advantages for prof.
table manufactures. Almost every day car
loads of timber are shipped over our rail-
roads to the East, to be there fashioned into
fabrics, and sent back for us to buy, in
stead of being manufactured here,-giving
employment to our own people, and keep
ing the means necessary for that purpose at
home. Our iron eres are shipped to the
North, and there manufactured into pig and
iron fabrics, and sent back for us to buy,
when every article could be manufactured
here at less cost. il the effort were put
forth.
These suggestions are intimately con-
nected with the subject of the tariff, and as
the old Bourbon Democratic notion of free
trade is being industriously circulated of
late, and all the Virginia members of Con-
gress are committed to that policy, it is about
time for the press to put forth an effort to
educate the people up to a proper understand
ing of this subject. We therefore introduce
three short articles from The New Republic,
bearing upon this question, which will serve
to throw some light on it:
SHOULD OURS BE A PROTECTIVE OR FREE-TRADE
POLICY?
From he birth of the nation down to the clos
ing hours of the last session of Congress GUS
tomstariff legislation has held prominent po-
sltion in the debate of Senators and members of
the House. 1t has occupied more time and com
manded more attention than any other question
ever brought before Congress. Though profess
eddy national problem, and should never have
been viewed from any other standpoint, it has
almost invariably, since the days of Alexander
Hamilton, been debated under party influence
and as party question. or, what was equally
preiudicia to the best interests OF the nation, it
was treated from the narrow standpoint Of local
interests. The Wings, and subsequently the Re-
publicans. have invariably held to the principle
of iudicious protection, by proper tariff legisla-
ton, to home manufactures and American in
duStries upon the farm and in the workshop. AS
a general rule, the Democratic party, party
with local exceptions adhered to the principle
of free trade as the true policy of the American
people 1t has always been so, and the debates
and votes OF the session of Congress Just closed
fnlly verified the fact that it is so to-day-Repub-
licanism and protection, Democracy and free
trade. There exceptional individual cases,
but they are few and are generally controlled
1t is therefore Of the utmost Importance to
the people to ascertain and decide before the
next ELECTION which Of the Two great contend
will most surely subserve the best interests Of
the whole country.
world wages high as they are in the
United States and that the industrial classes
here than elsewhere. Can these conditions be
attributed to aught else than the policy OF pro-
lection to home industries? Reverse that poll
cy, and under free-trade tariff our markets
would, in less than ninety days, be filled with
the products of half-paid foreign artisans and
workingmen. The problem admits of other
solution Free trade whould give employment
TO the industrial classes abroad, and to the same
extent take the work from our own people. 1t
enricheS English, German, and French manufac-
lures and impoverishes those of Our own coun-
try feeds foreign operatives and starves our
own.
DOES PROTECTION PROTECT ?
The free-trade fraternity are the authors of
this very silly question hey have written
books and made speeches in the vain hope of de-
ceiving the people into the belief that iudicious
system of protection does not benefit the coun-
try, and hence does not protect home against
foreign enterprise. AS well might the inquiry
be made. does the sun give light water quench
thirst, or food satisfy hunger? It one OF the
many faIacies of the free trade theorists, intend
ed rather to blind than to enlighten the inquirer
after facts to deceive rather than inform the
public mind. There was time when English
manufactures supplied this country with nearly
every article consumed by our people, except
ing the products of the soil and were it not for
the system of protection since adopted, we would
still be dependent upon that country for our
manufactured goods. But our statesmen early
understood the situation, and by wise system
the manufacturing interests of the country to an
extent that has astonished the world. European
manufactures, who visited the Centennial Exhi-
bition in Philadelphia two years ago, were anna
zed at the perfection of American manufactures.
That exhibition OF American handicraft was not
only the browning glory of the protective system
of the American Government, but it was an I'M
answerable reply, for all time, to the question,
Hon. w. D. Kelley, in his customs-tariff speech
in Congress, May 8. 1875 IAN illustration Of the
capacity of a free and self-governing people. We
behold it in the display there made OF machinery
the most wonderful thatmen ever beheld in the
products of genius, taste skill, and industry put
forth in the field, the workshop, the mine, the
mill, the laboratory, and the studio "
The fostering principles OF the protective sys-
TEN have had more influence in advancing our
individual and national prosperity than any 9th
err one, and probably of all other factors COM
bined Protection does protect the industrial
ola al n md of Moth
ems the national credit and power at home and
abroad.
IS NOT OURS A MAGNIFICENT SYSTEM OF FREE
TRADE?
While customs tariff is imposed for purposes
ofrevenue and protection to our home industries
upon imported goods, our internal commerce is
relieved from all tariff restrictions, and passes
from State to State absolutely free from all such
restrictions, II all the European nations should
each other over the entire continent the advo-
Gates of that system would rejoice at the ar
rangement and hail it as the advent of a COM
mercial millennium. Now have within the
limits of the United States just such arrange
ment, based upon the basis of an absolutely IN
fettered exchange of commodities among pop
ulation of 45,000,000 of people. The area of En-
rope, is 37OO0O0 square miles that OF the United
same. We have 10000 miles of railway, one
half OF the entire extent OF railways throughout
including bays and rivers both shores, reach
es 44,000 miles; that of our lakes 1920 miles
that of the Mississippi and its tributaries 49, GA
miles that of our other rivers above tide water
58,907 miles making in all 142 III miles, on which
there is atioat between three and four million
tons of American shipping, transporting hither
and thither between thirty-eight States and
nine Territories the manufactures, agricultural
products, and other commodities of our own
country, absolutely free from the call OF Gus
tom-house office or the imposition OF customs
tariff OF any kind whatever. Here is unrestrict-
ed free trade to an extent far beyond that of any
other portion of the civilized world. 1t is the
Union, with all its countless benefits and bless
States. that has made the country prosperous
beyond any other country and the nation rich and
powerful.
The hostile correspondence between Gen.
Eppa HuntOn and Mr.. Columbus Alexander,
the latter of Washington City, has culmi-
mated in Gen. Hunton posting Mr.. Alexan-