The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-05-26
NUMBER 21,
English Testimony to the Value of Our
Protective Policy.

The following extract from business circular
issued by Liverpool business house will show
that our English cousins have correct apprecia-
ton of the benefits which this country has de-
rived from its protective policy. The Liverpool
circular says:
Then this country (England) has suffered very
severely Of late years from the increased string9n
cy of foreign tariffs. There has been a growing
tendency in most countries to protect their own
industries, and in every such case we are the chief
sufferers tor we live as already sad by eXchaDg
ing our manufactures for the necessaries of life
The Onlted States was at one time a large custom
er tor our lronware and textile fabrics, but the
hostile tariff she has enforced since the civil war
mas nearly driven us out of her markets, and has
built up vast system of manufactures, which
completely supply her own wants and leave some
thing TO spare for competition with us in foreign
markets, The free traders OF this country console
themselves BY thinking that she is the chief suffer
er, but, whether this be so or not (which Is very
doubttui) the fact remains that her markets are
almost lost to US, and we, on the other hand are
constantly more dependent upon her for food and
raw material. For this we have no means OF pay
ing except by money or bonds, or indirectly by
our credits with China, Brazil and other countries
from which America imports tea, coffee, sugar etc.
Our colonies all follow in the wake of the Unit I'd
States, and do their best to stimulate their own
manufactures by closing their markets against us
The countries Of Europe, on the other hand,
aided by our best machinery and skilled labor
which we have largely supplied, are becoming
more and more independent of us, and in those
cases where can still un 1ersel them are raising
their tariffs or threatening to do SO, and the last
stroke IN that direction is exhibited by Prince
Blsmarcks letter to the enlightened German na
tioD wherein he boldly advocates returning to
protection; and We are given to believe that leg
siatlon in that sense Is pretty to take place.
The existence OF our trade is therefore restricted
to India and China and such weak, semi civilized
countries as are in some degree under Ol1 control
and no doubt in these open markets we can still
hold our ground but unuckiy, terrible famines
have wasted the resources Of both India and Chlua
Of late years. and we are still feeling their effects
Here, then, are some Of the reasons why British
manufacturers would have us discard cur system
Of protection. Not that We do not need protection
nor that protection does not protect but that it is
hostile to the interests of British manufacturers,
and that through its influence we have built up a
vast system Of manufactures which completely
supplies our own wants and leaves something for
competition with British manufacturers in foreign
countries These are evidently strong reasons
why our English neghbors should desire the repeal
of our protective tanT but are they not equally
as strong reasons why the people Of this country
should still desire to keep ii in force
That protection is still necessary we have the
authority Of another English writer, VINO IN his
own country, is considered the best authority tn
such subjects This writer, in a series Of articles
on The Resources of Foreign Countries, recently
published, speaking of this country and its re-
sources says
There is no use in denying the plain fact that
the states United States) have succeeded. by their
high tariff policy, in dverting considerable part
of the industrial energies Of the community from
the pursuits natural to and most profitable in, a
new country, to the highly artificial and, for
Americans mostly very expensive industries Of
long settled and civilized nations. " ere the shell
terlng tariff swept away it is very questionable if
any save few special manufactures OF certain
kinds Of tools machinery and railway cars. and
fancy goods, and few OF the cruder manufactures
could maintain their ground.
Thus We have the opinion from .wo different
and distinct sources that our immense anu vaua-
bic manufacturing industries have been stimulated
and tostered to their present development by our
protective policy.