Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-07-28
Free Trade.

Aside from its purely practical advantages,
the theory OF free trade presents q grand,
noble view of what should be the intercourse
of nations. Indeed, we may safely say that
1t is doctrine which comedies with the de-
sign Of the Creator, as made manifest by His
works, and confirmed by the declarations of
His word. 1t is evidently His will that men
dwell togetherin friendship; that man recog
nize in every man q brother, To this end,
"a contamination devoutly to be wished"
free, unrestricted trade tends. The great
benefits OF commerce, shackled though il
has been, and is, no one Except he be a
SocialisD will dispute. BY its means the
nations Of the North exchange products
with the nations OF the South, the East finds
market in the West, the West sends in re-
turn the trophies of her skill. The pecu-
mary results thus produced are exceedingly
important But every ship that traverses
the billowY highway of nations bears
double cargo Beside the material lading,
there is an immaterial, spiritual element.
While exotic fruits, flowers and grain are
being introduced into every land, seeds OF
knowledge and religion are being sown in
the minds and hearts of men, which will
yield far more glorious and enduring har-
vest In word, the history of civilization
is the history OF commerce. Ii this be true,
would not a legitimate use of the argument
from the less TO the greater lead us to the
conclusion that achievements still mightier,
victories still more magnificent may be
grasped by doing away with every obstacle
10 unlimited exchangep An eloquent repre-
sentative Of Virginia advocating in the halls
OF Congress the doctrine OF free trade, said !:
Commerce, Mr.. Chairman, links all man.
kind in one common brotherhood of mutual
dependence and interests, and thus creates
that unity OF our race which makes the re-
sources OF all the property of each and every
member. We can not if we would, and
should not If we could, remain isolated and
alone. Men under the benign influence OF
Christianity yearn for intercourse, for the
interchange OF thought and the products OF
thought as means Of common progress
to nobler civilization" But this is con-
demned as Utopian, and we are sarcastic
ally reminded that the millennium is not
yet The reason for this opinion in many
cases is not occult. Personal interest is
powerful advocate at the bar of Judgment
a man whose Golfers are heavy with gold,
wrung from his countrymen by the protec-
tive system, is easily pursnaded that free
trade is national weakness and private ruin,
that protection is national strength and pri-
vate prosperity. This class finds many
loud-mouthed supporter in
THAT ietter'd mob, that free diyan,
OF noble tools and honorable knaves,
Ofpensioncd patriots and privileged slaves"
who make and sustain laws, the effect of
which is 10 crush the many and stuff the
pockets Of the few.
But there are Others, men Of honor, who are
convinced that protection is wisdom; for
them we have arguments. but no scorn de-
bate, but no contempt. Yet it is plain that
their theory, II pushed TO its logical conclu-
sion, would be entirely destructive of human
happiness. For the cardinal point, the very
soul Of the creed is that all communities
should be aided by legislation to supply
their own wants, and TO become independ-
ent. Put this once in force. 1t would first
erect high barriers between nations then,
isolate communities, and finally carrying
the doctrine right OUT, destroy all CONNER
cial Intercourse between individuals To
apply the argument to our own country: if
protection be beneficial 10 us as a nation.
why would it not be equally advantageous
to establish it between the several States ?
How much soever the protectionists may
deny the fact, this undoubtedly is the spirit
Of their principles. Often the specious fal.
lacy is couched in the question: Is it not
much better Tor US 70 make our own articles
ana create our own products than to be de-
pendent upon other nations for our sup
pliesy The answer is very simple. If we can
ourselves produce those articles for less than
the price charged by foreign merchants, let
US by all means do SO. But II the cost of
the import is less than that of the home.
made article, nothing could be more absurd
than to maintain that home production is
the true economy. No man follows such a
principle in the affairs of daily life, and, as
Adam Smith says, "What is prudence in The
conduct OF every private family can scarce
be Jolly in that Of great kingdom"
a point too often overlooked is the effect
OF protection on our foreign market In the
great emporium Of the world, that country
succeeds which Is able to offer its products
VI the lowest price. Aud SO intimately re.
lated are the various branches OF a nations
industry that any influence brought TO bear
upon one 10 felt by all, Hence, when, by
discriminating duties the price OF single
article is raised, the inevitable result is an
increase in the cost Of every other product
We are no longer able 10 furnish goods 50
cheaply. BY consequence, for the demand
is always lessened by u rise in price, the
market abroad declines, and il some foreign
pation can undersell us may fail altogether.
80 much is true In general let us now
turn 10 the particular. In the United States,
where the situation is just the opposite OF
what II was in England, all pursuits, but
especially agriculture, are burdened 10 pro