Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-24

AIyital Issue Before the Country.
We published on Tuesday morning
lengthy and interesting account Of the
free trade alliance recently formed in
Washington by the Democratic members
OF the Forty-sixth Congress, for the pur-
pose of carrying on campaign in the
interest of free trade. 1t seems that the
principles of this alliance are in brief a.
to bring this vital issue squarely before
the country, and institute a vigorous
contest over it; o. to work steadily to-
wards an abolition of q high tariff, and
81 to advocate, until free trade can be
established in the country, a tariff for
revenue only, with what incidental pro-
lection such tariff would afford.
The Democratic leaders, composing
this alliance, are acting entirely consist
entity in adopting the course above set
forth Free trade is essentially Demo
cratic doctrine, for it is not only one of
the original teachings Of the Democratic
party, but it is emphaticallY doctrine
of the people, inasmuch as it operates
for the benefit of the masses and against
monopolists. We have more than once,
in these columns, dwelt upon
this subject. A protective tariff
means, in plain words, nothing
more nor less than levying a double tax
upon the people. The consumer class
which includes all classes, with the
exception of the manufacturers them
selves-are taxed, in the first place,
heavily for the support Of favored in
dividuals Then, as the protected srti-
cles, being largely shut out from com
merce, pay no revenue to the govern
ment and revenue must be had,
the people are taxed a second time
to supply the deficit which would
have accrued to the Treasury,
were a revenue tariff required Of
importers of the excluded articles. Moth.
ing can be palmer than this proposition,
and nothing can be more unjust than for
the great masses of the people of this
republic to be doubly taxed under the
pretext that certain industries must be
protected, but in reality to enrich few
individuals Such doctrine is wholly
undemocratic and directly opposed to the
spirit of the Constitution, since it tends
towards the establishment of privileged
class. which is emphatlcally prohibited
by the organic law of the land.
Recognizing, however, that while there
is such large national debt to be provi-
ded for, free trade, pure and simple, is an
impossibllity, this alliance proposes to
give such incidental protection to Ameri
can industries as a tariff for revenue
must necessarily bestow. Hence it is
proposed to gradually reduce the tariff
to a revenue basis by placing on the free
list all articles which pay little or no rev.
enue; by imposing the heaviest burden
of revenue duty upon such articles
of foreign manufacture which cannot
readily be produced in this country,
and by placing an import duty on all
| articles manufactured in this country,
and which pay an internal revenue tax,
equal to such tax. In this way, while
free trade is still the ultimate object in
view, incidental protection, sufficient to
give American industries fair start,
will be guaranteed by a revenue tariff
until the national debt is extinguished !
and this will probably not be the case
| during the present generation. Thus,
while there will be no legislation
for the personal benefit of any
special class, he protectionists will
not be able consistently tc raise any seri.
Gus objection TO the movement, since
they have invariably claimed that they
favor high tariff, not for the advantage
of the few, but only that certain enteF-
prises may be protected during infancy,
and until they are able to stand alone.
We are glad that the Democratic men,
make their new campaign boldly upon
this issue. The party has too long CO.
quoted with the protectionists and
monopolists on this subject, and it is an
issue at once national, democratic. and
calculated to destroy sectionalism in
politics, By such a campaign the eyes
of the people will be opened. They will
learn that free trade policy would be
largely for their best interests as well as
for the best interests of the commerce Of
the country. since they would not
only be freed from double taxation
for the benefit of a privileged class of
manufacturers, but, as Hon. Mr.. Hurd,
of Ohio, prime mover in this alliance,
truly remarked, if free trade be estab-
blished, not only will our home products
find largermarket, but vessels entering
ouF ports would bring with them larger
cargoes, and the whole country would be
benefited. On the other hand,
if we erect barriers against
the importation of foreign products,
foreign nations will erect barriers
against US just as high. II, knowing
and approaching fully these facts as
they would have to know and appreciate
them if brought into notice through a
political campaign, the people still see
fit To vote in favor of imposing a heavy
tribute on themselves for the benefit of
the fey, they will do SO deliberately; but
the Democratic party will have done its
duty.
Tho b-i,ht ,,;-+bf,,I .o,,1 ~ Csrnantar