The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-10-13
INCONSISTENCY AND cupIDIrY.

I
outgrowth of. the enormous tariff rates
which the democratic party is attempting to
cut down. Without them the eastern men
and the republicans declare that the country
would go rapidly to ruin, and they are
pleased to compare the efforts of the friends
of labor and champions of the rights OF
the masses with those Of the men who
fought few years ago in the confederate
armies, alleging that both are alike at.
tempts of the enemies of the government
to break ii up. Some light is thrown upon
the degree of sincerity Of these
statements by referring to the
efforts now being made by
American manufacturers to have Mexico
revise its own tariff laws and largely reduce
its rates. Our sister republic is notorious
for its high tariff, and if protection protects
and develops, We should look for one Of the
most prosperous manufacturing and pro-
ducing countries in the world lust across
our Rio Grando frontier, On the other
hand, that Mexico is one of the most back
ward in this particular and the condition
of its poorer and laboring classes one of the
most lamcntable in history, when we re-
gard the magnificent character of that re-
gion physically, is declaration whose
truth will be controverted byn one famil-
lar with he case. They have built up a
Chinese wall against the progress and
skill of the world almost, and have
been suffering the consequences. On
smaller scale, the same men who regard
MexiCo's tariff as unwisc insist upon almost
the same thing being done by our govern
ment. But they are now clamoring for a
removal of our neighbor's tariff re strictions
and admit that she cannot hope for progress
and growth until the products and com.
moditics Of the worlds traffic are permitted
to enter her borders with far less opposition
than at present. The secret of the matter
is contained in the fact that our railroad
system now takes in the Mexican states,
and it is possible for us to reach her trade
centers with our wares with less cost and
more quickly than can any other people
Who navy bhN 'iiiiiA w oNlA illdb hItAltO MAY
need. These same manufacturers and can.
itaists who are bringing political economy
and government influences to bear
south Of us, for the purpose of breaking
down the Mexican tariff, which is standing
in their way of making money, are de-
nounciug the English aud other foreigners
most bitterly Tor what they charge the lat
ter are doing to create an anii.tarir senti- |
ment in the United States. 1t is but an |
other illustration of the awful difference il |
makes when the wrong OK is gored. We
cannot with any degree OF grace or face ask |
Mexico to reduce or revise its protective
system or engage even with us in reel !
procity treaty where, us II matter of course, |
the advantage would all.bc on one side, so
long as We continue our own high tariffs |
and insist that without them the country
would 50 rapidly to pieces. And we
cannot certainly, on the other hand, |
hope to render our investments in
Mexico profitable or develop any great
trade with the Mexican states, if the net
profits on our manufactures ara rs small us
commended, so long as the republic south of
us maintains its foolish and practically pro- !
nib tory system, There is thus an addi- !
tlodsl reason for the triumph with us Of the !
tariff for revenue only theory 1t may be
that the recognition of the costly oncsded- |
moss of the matter may be more apparent !
rs We begin to branch out and attempt to !
enter other lands with our wares and mer- |
chandise. The British learned their lesson |
in Just this manner. When the position of
the high tariff men is seen to be buta self |
ish inconsistency throughout, less stress |
may possibly be placed upon their
cries for further assistance.
There is no better example of the folly of |
high tariffs than Mexico to-day presents, |
and the attitude Of manufacturers in the |
United States towards the Mexican rcstric- |
tons on. trade bctrays their inconsistency, |
cupidity and want of wisdom in most |
marked manner. Ii illustrates how easily |
these men can change their views to suit |
changed conditions. When we desire to iur. |
nish Mexico cheap goods, the Mexican tariff, |
which stands in the way, is abominablc and !
keeps the masses OF that country down
trodden and poor and dependent upon II
few Shylock manufacturers, but when
Europe desires TO furnish our masses with
cheaper and better goods, the American
tarih, which stands in the way and lattens
a tcw manufacturers, is the perfection of
wisdom. What magnificent reasoning, con-
siSteucy and justice =