The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-09-19
PROTECTION VS.. FREE TRADE.

has been given to it by the Daily
Oregomiasa. We ale glad to note
the increasing interest by the read
ing public in this very important
subject. No doubt great good will
be accomplished by the discussion.
1t is a subject of vital Importance to
us as a nation. The view taken by
many of the leading State papers
seems to be that we should abolish
the tariff altogether, or modify it SO
that certain articles such, for instance,
as steel rails and other iron used in
the construction of railroads in this
State and on the Pacific coast may
be admitted free of duty.
We have been constant reader of
the discussion, and must say that as
vet we are not convinced that the
change, so persistently urged, would
in the end result IN any great benefit
to us. 1t is true, as the free trade
organs say, with some propriety, that
IN isolated cases the tariff works
seeming hardship. But we must re-
cognize this fact, first of all, that gov
ernments are instituted among men
to protect not only the subjects in
their person and property but also the
government itself from the assaults
of rival powers-and in order to full
ly protect its subjects and ITSELF
there must be revenue sufficient,
from some source, or sources, TO
to fully and completely execute the
laws-and maintain the national char
acter and dignity.
As self protection is the first law
Of nature, so it is also the first and
prime law of nations. Our govern
ment:is only about century old, but
STRIPPING in years compared with other
great powers Of the world, and in
stead of taxing its subjects direct to-
support the government (the ward
of the people) has adopted a much
easier and better plan of compelling
the nations of the earth who seek
eur markets with their wares to
contribute to the support Of our in.
stitutions by paying duty on their
goods. From this source alone is
derived hundreds of millions of rev.
enue ;syet not enough, enormous as
it is, to liquidate the nations yearly
expenses, and the balance is made up
out of revenue its subjects pay on
tobacco, cigars, liquors, matches and
other articles made at home. The
prevailing theory of Republican Gov
ernments is, the greatest good to the
greatest number, consistent with the
largest liberty of its subjects. Es
sentially is our government OF, by
and for the people.
The strongest free trader admits
that the government should enforce a
tariff on imports sufficient to meet
the, demands of revenue only, and in
the same breath exclaims the present
tariff is too high. Why? Because
English steel rails, they say, can be
imported to this coast and sold much
cheaper than those of American man.
ufacture, provided the tariff was
abolished or only sufficient tariff en-
forced to meet the revenue of the
government. The idea seems preya-
lent among them that the govern
ment is specializing out of imports.
How absurd. It's fact, patent to
every one that the present tariff is
entirely too light, or, in other words,
the increase from the tariff is not
sufficient to meet the expenses Of the
government, for the tree-traders ad-
init that there should be some tariff.
Then from the premise stated, if it is
right in principle to impose a tariff
at all, then it is equally right for the
government to enforce such tariff
as will amount to a prohibition, if
necessary.
But this question is higher, and
above parties, OF localities, it is nation
al in character. We ought to feel a
just pride in the growth and devel
opment of the whole country; ana
net teel that because Pennsylvania
or Massachusetts is being benefited,
at our expense, as the free-trader puts
it, that the money is-entirely thrown
away, for we are protected in our
idustries; our coasts and harbors are
improved by the general govern.
ment. and what tends TO develop aEy
part of our common country Indirect
lY, il not directly, benefits the Pacific
coast. Were it not for the present
tariff, other nations who mine and
manufacture on labor not as well
paid as ours, would food our markets
with their wares and undersell our
manufacturers, and the result would
be to close our factories and work