Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-06-02

First.-That the Tree trade work OF the
coEntry be organized under the general d.
rection of the American Free Trade Lessue.
Second.-1hal the American Free Trad
League appoint National Committee, com.
posed Of one delegate from each State League,
such delegate TO have the general direction
oil the work in his State, and to be RESPONSE
ble therefor.
Ihud.-That the Executive Committee OF
the National Commlttee appoint and have
power 10 remove member, TO represent on
the NaEonsl Committee each OF those States
which have no State League.
Fsurth.-1hat the Nationsl Committee ap-
point general Secretary, with headquarters
in the city of New York
R.port adopted without dissent.
In the course Of a general AID Informal
discussion, II. ]. Phi.ipot, of Iowa, reported
very rapid growth OF free trade sentiment
among the farmers Of mia Stale, and J. Ster-
ling Morton, of NebrasGt, detailed the
results OF last falls campaign in NebrAsks,
when the Republican maj orIty was Ie1uced
one-hslf. Edward Campbell thought that if
the people OF Iowa could psss upon the ques-
ton OF free trade separated from other Issues
they would roll up big majority in favor OF
the Democratic party. Iowa is almost
unit on the subject, and the latter had been
somewhat Handicapped by by the overFhelm-
lbk GBp0ft VI iuc lCIuleT. a lcW
free trade party would be fatal, ia the speak
er's estimation. He preferred liberal dis
seminHtion Of free trade principles amoag
Liembers of other parties. Fer himself, he
would support the principles Of frse trade at
the sacrifice of party ties. Ii the tariff issue
was at stake, he wogld rather vote for Re
publican free-tradsrs than Democratic pro-
tectionists. Justus Clark, of Iowa, spoke In
similar vein. Recess was then taken.
The Conference rearsembled at 3 O'Clock,
but the Committee on Adsrsss being still
dat, brief speeches We're made On the
question of the best methods of action,
nsethsr by the organization of third party
or working inside the lines of existing par
ties. Finally the Committes on Address
made its report which, after discussion, was
adopted, as foilows:
THE address.
This Conference submits TO Americans th at
revenue reform has now become paramount
and vital issue in National politics. We de-
sire 10 obtain to the greaiest practicable eI-
tent the same freedom OF trade among ns-
tlons which exist among the States OF the
Union. We see in the abuses of the present
tariff the chief obstruction 10 the continued
development and prosperity of the couutry
To do away with these abuses, we ask tie
help alike of those who believe that free
trade Is an essential part of American free
dom, and the only commercial policy
consistent with business stability, and ef
those who recognizs that the abuses
of the present very unjust and uu.
equal protective tariff keep Us from
the enormous export trade we ought to have
and form the most serious hindrance TO Amsr-
ican industrial progress
We submit th at protection does not protect
the classes 1t claims 10 protect; that to protect
the lev at the expense of the many is incon-
| ristenE with the principles of republican
government, and the revised tariff of 1888,
raisiag some duties, aad BY Intentionally
confused Classification msiHtsining others it
pretends to reduce, is only device of the
alarmed proteclionists TO avert honest revenue
reform.
Americas manufacturers nsea cheap per
materials in order 10 compete successfully
in the markets of the world sgsinst foreign
competltors. This protected manufacturers
are few among many, and even these have
generally been hindered rather tn an helped by
so-cslled protection.
American labor, even in projected ind US
tries, is discovering that il gets no higher
wages by protection; that it can buy less
with Its money, and can save lets. The
poorer man is the more q tariff hurts him.
The higher wages which generally prevail
| Ia America are due to the superior advsu-
tages, which would be increased By the re-
movHl OF tariff restrictions. While there is
absolute tree trade 10 labor, and the manu-
| facturers can import the cheap labor of Eu.
rope, the laborer is denied the right TO buy
| goods in the cheapest market. Labor is paid
less In protected European countries than in
| Tree trade England. Ia highly protected
| cotton manufactures tia average wages paid
here are actually less than the wages paid in
| England. The profits Of protection 90 to
noaopolists only. The very men VINO in
CoDgresE most loudly dem anded protection
| for American labor we're Importing cheap
Canadian labor TO strip the Northwest OF its
| forests. Inc combined pottery nsnufacIur-
| ere OF Ohio cut down wages and disch arged
| American hands the moment the tariff on
their products was increased. The monopo.
isis corrupt Legislators, practically deny to
| their Horkmen liberty of speech and the free
| exercise of their vote. The American farm
/ sIs, com mprisiag more thEn one-hslf cur
| voierS, ,bssriDs with the workiugmen the bur
| dea OF all the taxes, pay for all the protection
| and get none OF 1t. They sell in an unpro-
tscted market and buy in protected one.
| Protection taxes the poor man far more
| heavily Than The rich. ItreSt.icts the fsrmer's
market By shutting out those who would ex-
| change with him. Il burdens manufacturers
by adding to the cost of their materials,
| without increasing the amount Of their sales,
| and IL reduces the wages OF workmeu in
every line of business. The true interests of
America are bound togsther in fres trade.
equal taxation, farmers righis, m.nufsc; az
ibs prosperity and higher wages.
| Tne government of the United States has
no constitutional or other right to impose
taxes on the people, except with the inten,
and result Of getting sufficient monsy into the
public treasury 20 pay the public debt, pro.
vide for the common defense and provide fol
the general welfare; and all tariff take.
called protective, laid with different intent
favor the promotion OF reciprocity and the
repeal of ths navigation laws, which have
destroyed our merchant N srine.
We do not council tho imnediste forma
ton OF = new party, though We reeognz
| that many Republicans and many Democrat
are losing faith in their own parties and de
sire to unite politically for genuine reVenu,
reform. But in case existing parties ia tn.il
utterances, their candidates or designated
leaders in Congress, persistentlY oppose anc
eyade reform, we advise revenue TeforBer
to prepare for independent political sction
Meanwhile, We call upon those who ,hini
with US TO make existing public sentimen
visible or to extend it By discussion snt
other education; to make it practicable a
the polls by questioning candidates for Con
Eress, and voting in Congressional cam
pAigns, in which this ia alreasy 4 suprem
question, fer candidates who will best serv
the cause OF tariff reform.
This address is issued in b.hsif of freedom
| the most precious result Of political actor
AnG in behalf ST prosperity, whose broad an
. only lasting basis is found in perfect fret
doa Of human activity, bound only BY III
| equal privileges OF all men.
/ The Conference then took recess ill ever
ing.
| After the afternoon session the members I
' the American Free Trade Lssgue held
i meeting, and after consideration elected th
! following officers: President, the Hon. Davi
4 A. Wells, Norwich, Conn; Vice President
J Thomas Holland, New York; CbsrI,
Francis Adams, Boston; Auson PhelT
Stokes, New York; VIM. ?. Wells, Dstroi
W. P. Fishback, IHdisnzFolis; ]. SteEliu
i Morton, Arbor Springs, Neb.; John
n Phelps, Springfield, No; 3. F. Cue, D.
q Noines, Ia; B. r. Formsn, New Orlean
}, Cn,rles P. Smith, PHIIsdelphia; Prof. Jam,
: H. Csnfeld, Lawrence, Ks; Secretary. Z. I
g Bownsr, New York; Western Sscrstar,
: Henry J. Pailpot, Dss Aoines, Ia; T ca
Y urer, George F. Peabody, New Yorl
d An Executive Committee Ess named ,
J. follows: T. G. Snesrman, Brooklyn; Wi
e liam G. Brownlee, Detroit; A. L. Earl
It New YORK; 81. R. B. Stspler, New York;
d c. Taylor, Kansas City; E. NJ. Shepar,
Z Brooklyn. One vacancy was left 10 bs hlle
e sy the committee. This committee will nav
;. poEer 10 name the members OF the Nation,
is Free Trade Committee from the States
ie which there are no State Free Trade League
uc "a nNA. Nd 81.