Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-05-24
pRorEcTIoNIsM IN ENGLAND.

political economists, the masses insist tnaV
since Free Trade has not preserved them
from suffering, and since at least part OF
that suffering is eonfessedly due to the
proscriptive fiscal policy of foreign govern
ments, it would be better to return to the
old system. Nor is it the working classes
alone whose opinions are undergoing
change on this subject. Many manufaet-
urers, who cannot be charged with igno
rance are beginning to doubt whether it
is worth while to maintain system which
despite the experience Of generation has
made so little Roadway. These men per-
eeive that foreign protective tariffs are as
a matter of fact forcing their goods out of
foreign markets, and the general business
depress1h renders them doubtful of the
future. Of course the old Free Traders
look upon these manifestations with horror
and indignation. They have become so
firmly convinced that Free Trade is the
only scientific policy that they regard
these proposals much in the light of en-
deavors to go back to the barbarism of
the middle ages. But while no change in
public opinion can affect the fundamental
question of the correctness of doctrinal
principles, it is quite possible that circum-
stances may arse which will make tenn
porary abandonment of Free Trade the
wisest course that could be taken.
The United States and the Continental
Powers have refused to adopt Free Trade,
and England has had the monopoly of that
system. Should she now decide to retrace
her steps and adopt Protective tariff, the
world will have an opportunity of realizing
the effects of universal Protection, and if
the results do not bear out the predictions
of the Free Traders no harm will have been
done, while if the predictions are fulfilled,
reaction in the direction of Free Trade
will be certain. When every country has
built Chinese wall about itself, and has
undertaken to abolish the possibility of
cheap wares generally, it will for the first
time be possible to make the masses every
where understand the full beauties of
Protection. We should in that case have
fair field for experiments. International
trade would practically be destroyed, and
every nation would have to rely entirely
upon its own resources. Perhaps under
the stimulus of pressure new industries
would be developed everywhere, but of
course this could only be done at the ex.
pense of the body polite.
For though the United States and the con-
tinental powers have failed to recognize the
fact, it is truth that protection involves
large element OF Communism. 1t is a
system the essence of which is that A, B
and C shall be compelled to pay for the
establishment of an industry by D.. The
latter says that owing to the fact that the
goods in which he wishes to deal can be
made cheaper abroad, he is debarred from
manufacturing them. Upon which his
Government says that A, B and G shall be
deprived of the privilege of purchasing in
the cheapest market, and shall be compelled
to buy of D at enhanced prices. In this
way the Government really confscates the
money of A, B and G, and hands it over to
D. In order to disguise this governmental
robbery-for it is nothing less-a pleasant
theory is invented to the effect that it is
somehow better in the long run for A, B
and C to be forced to pay three prices for
their goods than it would be to let them
buy in the CT eapest market. The protec.
tionists have never yet succeeded in max
ing this clear, but they have done their
best, and whenever they were hard pressed
they have fallen back upon some conve-
nient cant about " developing home indus
try aud patriotism, and SO forth.
Now if all the nations q the earth be-
come devout Protectionists, that peculiarly
Chinese system will at last have a fair
test, and it will be seen what the world
really gains by it. 1t is not difficult to
forecast its effects upon commerce, for we
have already had ample opportunities of
ascertaining what it can accomplish in the
way Of restricting and circumscribing
American trade with other countries. But
we have thus far had enormous volumes of
raw produce to export, and as this has es-
capped duties abroad we have managed to
get along. Let England once determine to
put heavy tariff upon American products
of all kinds, and our own principles will
begin to appear to US in new light There
is of course just as much justification for
such policy on her part as for our own
protective tariff, and we could not com.
pain if che had recourse to such measure
tomorrow. But we should then find
that we had never before had an oppor-
tunity of studying Protection under the
most favorable circumstances, and our
producers, who have stood the tariff
punishment with such exemplary meekness
| all this time, would be compelled to change
their position. We are disposed TO believe
that the general adoption Of Protection in
its most incorporating form might
prove the best way to disillusionize the
world on the subject. We should not be
surprised if England could not do more. to
convince the Continent of the impolicy of
its tariffs by this measure than by the
most unfinching adherence to her present
policy. No doubt the experiment would
increase her distress and cost her dearly
for the time, but it may be forced upon
her, and it is by no means certain that it
would not produce more good than harm
in the long run.
MR. RICE's CRITICISM.
Mr.. Rice has been made happy at last.
He has discovered bluuder in RECORD
UNION editorial, and it happens to be a
genuine blunder. We shall not shun the
penalties in such cases made and provided.
We did employ a wrong word. and under