Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-31
..1ncidenta1 Protection"

This phrase. too often the subterfuge OF
statesmen who do not wish to give ofense
TO the advocates of either side of the tariff
question, logically means but one thing, |
and that is that, since the people of the |
United States have agreed 10
collect the bulk OF the |
revenues of the government by laying |
duties on imports. Those duties shall De
so laid that by reason of their collection
the government shall obtain revenue ana
the manufacturer of similar lines OF
goods in this country shall have the bene-
fit of the reasonably enhanced prices the
duties put upon his fabrics. Incidental
protection presuppOses that the aim OF
the tariff shall be rather the raising OF
revenue than the protection of American
industry. The doctrine of the protection
lists. on the other hand, is that
protection shall be the aim OF
the tariff and revenue the IN
cident. Incidental protection is the only
ground on which the advocates of free
trade and absolute protection can meet
The one is in "A measure inconsistent III
conceding protection, however slight, ana
the other to be consistent should adVo-
cate prohibition of imports absolutely
American citizens are too sensible to adj
vOcate either free trade or a prOhlbltory
tariff. considering the relative conditions
under which the peoples of the world are
placed. The nearest approaches to the
realization of either doctrine are fur
nisbed in the one instance by China
and in the other by England.
Yet. neither absolutely illustrates either.
Free trade is a goal to which the nations
of the earth may strive just as liberty is.
But the measure of freedom of trade that
each nation should cOncede is best deter
mined by itself
Now it is our belief that the resources
of these United States, their commercial
advantages and the skill and capacity OF
of their people, fit the country for large
"A measure OF freedom of trade.
Knowing the impossibility of universal
free trade for years and years to come,
and knowing that a limited number OF
citizens of this Republic have been al
lowed to grow inOrdinately rich at the
| expense of the people by reason of unjust
discrimination, we contend that the time
has come to go back to the principles OF
sound Democracy and make the tariff less
prohibitory and more a tariff for rev.
enue. In other words, 10 let
whatever protection is afforded (and
some measure of it cannot be
advoided by reason of other nations al
| fOrding it to their own peoples be INCL
dental, that is "a cOncOmitant of the tarln
and not the sole or chief aim of the tarl1.
Democracy has always adapted itself to
circumstances, but it never yet found this
country in need of a prOhibitory tarln or
tariff virtually of such character.
We believe the Democratic party Will
live to witness free trade and freedom in
many other conditions of the worlds eX-
istence. But its mission at present is 10
endeavOr to force the beneficiaries OF the
unjust system of taxation under which
special interests and particular sections
/ have thriven at the expense of others to
surrender some of their advantages for the
sake of the common good. Let the duties
on imports be so laid that the people VIII
be relieved of a large share OF the
burden of unnecessary taxation, and
the fondest advocate of free trade cannot
but be satisfied. The battle for free trade
must be fought and won in detail. The
first step to it in this country at this time
is incidental protection.
Meanwhile, though, it will be we'll for
the people who hear Democratic states
man prOclaiming loudly his liking for
''incidentaI protection" to watch his votes
on proposed duties more or less prohibi-
tory. If he proposes or supports eXtraor-
binary duties he is insincere. And like
wise the editor, who talks blatantly
to Southern readers about the beauties
of protection, per sc, will be
found to have a remarkably dull axe to
grind or to be losing nothing by grinding
axes for others.