New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-11
UNWORTHY OF YALE.

There are gentlemen dinouS WV AN'T
advocates of Free Trade in this countryj
gentlemen who, however mistaken their
opinions, are able to state them WIN sui-
ficIent courtesy toward opponents 10 COM
mand a respectful hearing. and TO deiehu
them with enough fairness to convince nearer
of their sincerity, even If he cannot assent 10
their conclusions. But among such gentlemen
Professor Sumner cannot be classed. His man.
ners in discussion are precisely those OF the
cheap Tombs shyster when he knows that DIS
case is so bad that he cannot afford to treat al
verse witnesses with decency. HIS coarse dog
matism tends neither to instruct nor to con-
vince it repels doubters and dlsgusts friends.
Assajling the matured convictions OF men who
are and will be regarded by the intelligent
"a superior to himself. Mr.. Sumner calls
them avulgar protectionists." A compare
lively young man, who has hardly achieved the
right as yet to set up for intellectual Pope of
the universe, he thinks it quite enough to say
of Secretary EvaIts that bis theories Of polit-
zeal economy "aIe puerile and absurd in the e1-
treme." This is not argument, nor Is 1t decency.
The theories thus assailed have been held and
powerfully advocated by many of the worlds
greatest statesmen, and by not few OF its pro-
foundest thinkers. If they have been in error,
the fact is hardly established past controversy
by mere insoent dogmatisn from man of the
mental stature of Mr.. Sumner.
When Abraham Lincoln signed all protective
acts from 1861 TO 1865, were his theories
pucrile Each one OF them passed with the
vote of statesman Of New England who made
the name of Sumner honOred throughout the
world. The same theories have been made the
cornerstone of the German fiscal policy 10y the
statesman who created the German Empire.
The strongest minds of France have embodied
them in French legislation. The policy OF
Great Britain was the same until it became the
peculiar interest of that nation to break down
the economic defences of others. In this
country the protective policy when adopted IN
1861 was approved by only minority of the
people, a largo proportion of its opponents
being then in rebellion and seven States unrep-
resented But it has been followed bv such
wonderful prosperity that IN overwhelming
majority of the people now favor it, and at the
last Presidential election the candidate of the
party which has always opposed projection and
favored slavery ard reputation, finding his
case hopeless, tried in vain TO overcome popular
hostility by pretending to be Protecuonst.
Never in the history Of this country has there
been a more remarkable change in favor of
any policy as n result of its practical workings
But w. G.. Sumner, lie" says it is puerle and
absurd.
Men who are really able are not often in
clined to substitute insoeDce for argument.
Men who are lt to teach others, especially
stand much in need of minds large enough to
comprehend that those who dissent from them
are not necessarily fools. 1t is not to the adj
| vantage of Yale College that shallow and
one-slded dogmatism directs ITS instruc-
ton in a science OF the highest practical
importance. To be well equipped for his work
in lite, the student ought to be led TO view with
| candid aud catholic spirit all the facts,
and not merely those which lend support to one
| theory; to consider with respect and care the
different opinions which have been and are held
by the abest practical statesmen of the world,
and not merely to accept the pSe Dirt of pro-
! lessor. as if his vast mental power had reduced
! all the thinking of past ages to insignificancc.
| The sort of Free Traders who are apt TO emerge
! from instruction Of the sort suggested by Mr..
! Summers letter about ex Secretary Evarts will
! not 20 far to revolutionize the world, nor will
they gain great weight among practical men Of
the world who have minds large enough to see
both sides.