The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-01-31

The same narrow-minded, medieval spirit
which resorts to protection as the best policy Of
national Development easily reverts TO oldfash-
toned absolutism as the best form Of government
Free trade liberalizes. Protection petri6es. We
see In Germany to-day the dwarAng and deadly
effects Of protection. Since Bismarck forced
high protective tariff upon an unwilling empire,
German enterprise has entered an eclipse. Trade
has been restricted in all It's branches. The very
manufactures which are most protected" have
languished. The cost OF subsistence 10 greatly
enhanced. The German people are dissatiadsd
and discontinued. Far and wide they are muir
muring against the new tariff. Though 1t has
been in operation only year, It has stirred up
more ill-ieeling throughout Germany against the
government than any other of Bismarcks iron
handed measured The German chambers of
commerce are denouncing II boldly. They have
the best means Of knowing how badly the tariff
affects business and they have the courage to
tell what they know. For this candor they have
been s,ernly rebuked by Bismarck. He now pro-
poses TO gag them. He has notified the local
authorities in all parts OF Germany to take care
that no annual repOrtsof chambers Of commerce
shall be published except by government sane
ton. These reports must hereafter be sent to
Berlin, in order to be altered and amended by
the government, If necessary, prior TO publica-
lion. Thus protection, among lis other fnnesiezs,
takes upon itself the duty of protecting" the
people from n knowledge of q tariffs injurious
workings. II prevents the introduction of truth
as well as foreign products to their homes, save
by smuggling. But Bismarck Is too late with
his order The people are already enlightened
in fact, il needed no chamber Of commerce cir
culars to instruct them-and the agitation against
the protective system Is widespread. profound
and serioua This agitation, specially manifest
in Prussia, has led to most significant reaction
airy movement on the part Of her sovereign.
The aged William has issued rescript, cOun-
,ersigned by Bismarck, reasseriing In all their
old force the haIf-oosolete theories Of the divine
right of kings he says, It ls, therefore, my
will that in Prussia, and alsO In the legislative
bodies Of the empire, no doubt will be allowed
to attach To my consiiiuiional rights, or thai Of
my Successors, personally 70 direct the policy of
my Government" He adds: /" The flnctionaries
intrusted with the Execution of my official acts
are bound To support the policy Of my govern
ment coon al elections" These are threats directed
at the people over OlleaI shoulders. In simple
English, il all means that tho Emperr intends to
use bis army. II Necessary. 70 crush oul any l,np-
uIar manifestation of political dissent and dis
content. Il may be useless 10 argue with Cesar
and lis leg"ns. II y Probable that while Bis
marck lives the reforms and relief demanded by
the German pes,ple will be denied them But
with The disappearance ut the man and his nnn
inal nlaaleF from the stage Of actlon-an event
whicli must naturally 10 brought about In lev
trade may prevailundar younger and more llL-
eral emperor. now the popular Grown Prince.