Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1883-04-26
PROTECTION VS.. FREE TRADE

The next great question for the
American people to settle is that of
tariff. Like all other questions of
public policy, it should be carefully
examined, and then decide intellis sent-
iy. Only such an adjustment would
bc pernsnert ~ or1er 70 do this the
wide differences Ci oYlnion winch ooW
exist upon this subject must be OF
should be- reconciled. In fact, a full
and free discussion: without prejudice
and with all the facts and figures. is
the only true method of getting at n
correct solution.
A majority of men vii vote right or
any iss,,e when they understand it. 1t
is only the ignorant that vote as they
are directed; consequently | deem it
the duty of the press of this country to
take hold of this matter and instruct
the people as to what is right and prop
er, so that everyone may vote his own
convictions and not depend upon the
ideas of another.
In what may have to say regarding
this question, will undertake to keep
the facts before me and deal with them
fairly.
A tariff " a tax levied upon articles
ether raw or manufactured which are
| brought into this country from sone
other nation to be used or sold. This
tax or tariff is collected and the amount
paid into the public treasury. This
forms a large portion of the govern
ment revenue, and is used in paying
government expenses, such as salaries,
interest on public debt, etc. Without
this tax upon imported goods a direct
tax would have to be levied on the diff
ferent States, that divided among the
counties, again between the townships,
where it would appear on the tax re-
$ceipt as 80 much tax to the govern
ment. We have no such tax at pres
ent, but n change in the law permit
ting free importations would of course
make it necessary. Without going in
to discussion of any portion of the
subject, let us inquire if the tax itself
is proper. Some claim it is not; and
that nothing should prevent free in
terchange of trade between nations.
Others saw that it is right and should
be so adjusted as TO be most beneficial
to the people of this country. This
last position ] believe is correct.
1. Every nation must stand or fall
by it's own acts. No other nation will
knowingly enact laws by which it will
be benefited. We have vast combi-
nation of different interests, each de-
pending to greater or less extent on
the others for its maintenance and
support. These interests are banded
together for mutual benefit and pro-
lection. All are included in this, from
the farmer to the manufactures, the
merchant to the consumer. What af'
fects one parts.of the1business commu
nifty affects in some degree the whole.
Anything, therefore, coming in from
outside localities, tends to disturb the
financial equilibrium, and unsettle'
interests which have heretofore been
; in accord with all others.
Q. The seller of foreign or outside ar
ticles has no regard for our nationa
prosperity, mis- only care is to obtain
HeA.eaos. qr.co Faasible for hi9 GOODS
IL matters not TO nina whether ,,e olt
prosperous or on the verge OF bank
ruptcy. All he wants is his money
with that lis interest in us ends.
Permit me to give an example of thi
fax question as an illustration of IN.
pnsition. In all parts of the United
; states we have towns iiSe Moson sn'
Lansing larger and smaller-which IL
uisclvcs cgnstitutc u business com