The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-06-14
FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY.
rhc Address Prepared and Adopted by
the Conference Of Free Traders nj De-

Inc AuUTeSD IFSvhT6u NnO AuOvIeu Dy
the Conference Of Free-Traslers nj De-
troit.
This conference submits to Ameri-
cans that revenue reform has now be-
come the paramount and vital issue in
National politics. We desire to obtain,
to the greatest practicable extent, the
same freedom Of trade among nations
which exists among the States Of the
Union. We see, in the abuses Of the
present tariff, the chief obstruction to
the continued development and pros
perity Of the country. To do away with
these abuses. We ask the help alike Of
those who believe that free trade is an
essential part Of American freedom and
the only commercial policy consistent
with business stability, and Of those who
recognize that the abuses Of the present
unjust and unequal protective tariff
keeps us from the enormous export trade
we ought to have, and form the most
serious hindrance to American industrial
progress,
We submit that protection does not
protect the classes it claims to protect
that to protect the few at the expense
of the many is inconsistent with the
principles of Republican government,
and that tho revised tariff Of 1883, rails
ing some duties, and by an Intentionally
confused classification. maintaining
others it pretends to reduce. is only a
device of the alarmed protectionists to
avert honest revenue reform.
American manufacturers need cheaper
materials in order to cont nd success.
fully in the markets of the world against
foreign competitors. The protected
manufacturers are few among the
many, and even these have generally
been hindered rather than helped by 40
called protection.
American labor, even in the protect
ed industries, is discovering that it gets
no higher wages by protection; that il
can buy less with its money and save
less. The poorer man is the more
the tariff hurts him. The higher wages
which generally prevail in America are
due to superior advantages. which would
he increased by removal Of tariff re-
strictions. While there is absolute free
trade in labor, and the manufacturer,
can import the cheap labor of Eu.ope
the laborer is denied the right to bu,
good. IN the cheapest market. Labor
is paid less in protected European coun
tries than in free-trade England. II
the highly-protected cotton manufac
lures. TIN. average wages paid here ar.
actually less than the wages paid il
England. The profits of protection g
to the monopolists only. The yer,
men who. in Congress, most loudly de
mand protection for American labor ar.
importing cheap Canadian labor to stril
the Northwest of its forests. The com
hined pottery manufacturers Of Ohi'
cut down wages and discharged Ameri
can hands the moment the tariff O,
their products was increased. The mo
nopolists corrupt Legislators, and prac
eioally deny to their workmen liberty @
speech and the free exercise of thei
votes.
The American farmers, constitntin.
more than half our voters, bearing wit
the workingmeh the burden of al taxes
pay fer piotection and get none of it
they sell in an unprotected market an
buy in protected one.
Protection taxes the poor man fa
more heavily than the rich: it restrict
The farmers market by shutting on
those who would exchange with him
it burdens the manufacturer by addin
to the cost of his materials, without in
creasing the amount of his sales; and
reduces the wages of workmcn in ever
line of business. The true interests {
America are bound together in FIRE
trade, equal taxation, farmers right
manufacturing prosperity and highe
wages.
The public welfare demands the earl
abolition of all taxes except those levie
for strictly public purposes, and of a
taxes which by any indirect effect pr,
mote the interests Of one class at til
expense of another: and as first neee
sary steps to the end, the immediate IT
moval of all duties which especial
, embarrass the industries of the countl
. and arrest their growth by enhanc'n
] the cost of their material, the propo
tional reduction of duties on manufa
lures, the simplification of duties, II
promotion of reciprocity, and the repe,
, of the navigation laws which Ia,
. destroyed our merchant marine.
We do not counsel the immedia
formation of a new party, though v
recognize that many Republicans al
many Democrats, losing faith in the
. own parties, desire to unite political
for a genuine revenue reform. But
case the existing parties, in ttheir ute
ancies. in their candidates. or in desi
mating their leaders in Congress, pc
sistently oppose or evade reuenue L
form, we advise revenue reformers
prepare for independent political act o
Meanwhile, We call upon those wi
think with us to make existing publ
sentiment visible by organization,
extend it by discussion and other ell
cation, to make it practical at the pol
by questioning candidates for Congress
and by voting, III Congressional cal
paigns. in which this is already t
supreme question. for the candidat
who will best serve the cause of tar
reform.
This address il issued in behalf
freedom, the most precious result
political action, and in behalf of pre-
perity, whose broad and only lasti
basis is found in the perfect freedom
human activity, bounded only by I
equal privileges of all men.