River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-09-06
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Mr., Reecher on Free Trade

The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher delivered
last evening, in the First Baptist church of
Brooklyn the first of series of pictures on
free trade, under the auspiceg of the Brook
Ign Revenue reform club. In the course of
his address he said:
In addition to what every citizen feels
L, as a moral teacher feel jealous to say
that the protective system not only is i'm
polite and unjust. but wrong in funia-
mental morals. Applause In its princi-
pies and results it is directly opposed to
Christian ethics. 1t is opposed to the eth
ical organization of society. Men are Or
ganized on principles of equity and justice
in fellowship, and those who violate these,
in the long run, come to destruction; while
obedience to them leads to success. In
direct contradiction TO Christian morality
and the Gospel of Christ is a protective
tariff, for it is organized Immortality. APP
plause.
Every American heart should beat for
liberty 1t cost ages and blood to gain in
diyidual liberty. BY revolutions. racks,
and penal prisons liberty of conscience
was gained At last liberty, except where
it impinges the liberty of others, exists in
all directions, and goes in this land with
universal intelligence. Liberty in all rela-
tons, social, religious, individual, is best
for man. Men choose their own church,
their own calling; can use property as they
please, find their own market, and find the
world wide open to get what tempts the eye
and attracts wealth; but they may not bring
it home The United States will not let a
man bring it in unless he pays the penalty.
He may get his pictures in Italy, silks in
Lyons, wine in Bordeaux; but the govern
ment says you must buy at home, and net
abroad. If it is not produced here, you
must wait till it is. I4aughter.l This is
the literal fact, as far Il only as luxuries,
and necessaries, are concerned. Liberty
No homesick traveller can come into his
native land by permission of the govern
ment except with his skin and its covering.
His trunks are opened and his person
searched for gems He cannot bring in
what he can buy cheaper than at he me. We
are shorn of our liberty in the commerce of
the world.
1T is contrary to morals and the spirit of
our fathers to put commerce in bondage.
Commerce is to the nation what blood is to
the body. 1t equaliZes the zones. It's
white wings are the gospel of the world.
Since the time of Paul every ship has been
an ocean pulpit, with as much harmful stuff
as other pulpits. Before the rebellion our
ships led the commerce of the world. But
now the ships are sold and the yards are
silent. Commerce is IN chalns-a prisoner
at the heels Of manufactures. Instead OF
being an eagle it is q mere dunghlll fowl.
Now ships want bounty to keep on the
ocean. There should be important and ON
nipotent reasons for this. All tariffs are
taxes to support the government, directly or
indirectly. All taxes should be certain and
direct; but tariffs on imports are uncertain
and indirect They add to the cost to con-
sumers of articles. but are hidden in the
price Direct taxes tend to economy in gov
eminent We are now in danger Of having
too much money for government pur-
poses"
After showing that protection made most
men think it was no crime to cheat the gov
eminent. Mr.. Beeeher said
What is protection doing now? 1t sees
the surplus revenues Of government, and
says that taxes must be lower; but It would
not take of any duties. 1t is proposed TO
send the whole question to commission Of
nina 70 consider the subject for Tires