The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-20


a monsrchical form of government prevails
was never better illustrated than in the
questions. and contentious in Europe De-
tween the authorities on the one hand anu |
the pc ople ON the other in the matter oil
prohi bition of or restrictions upon the I'M |
portation of American meats. Some re-
stric tions of the character referred TO are
In force in nearly oil the principal coun'
tries in Europe. In Germany and France
the war has been waged against our pork,
in Turkey and Italy against our meats gen
orally and.in Grei Britain the restrictions
have been imposed chiefly upon the impofta-
ton of our cattle. 1t must be remembered
that, nearly, if not all, these to us rid: .
ulous acts Of legislative prohi-
bition, -: the results are not the
consequences of popular demar d
but the work Of theorizing statesmen, who
have but limited contact and lesssympha-
thy with the great masses Of their subjects.
From these latter, indeed, the cry OF dis
content. has commenced against this re-
striction upon free and generous importa-
ton of food, the most substantial food, too,
from America. II may be declared, without
the fear, of successful contradiction, that
the teeming millions Of the old world are
actually hungry, their dense population
being too :great to be literally or cheaply
supplied by their limited acreage, or with
anything like the generous abundance seen
annually in America. 1t is anotorious fact
that the poor European does not and can
not place meat or animal food upon his
table more than once a week, 80 scarce
aud costly is the article when
compared with his scant means.
And yet these governments are fighting
against the free importation from this
country .of this animal food which their
laboring men need so badly, and could Oh
t lin in sufficient quantities cheaply if the
cruel and absurd restrictions referred 10
were removed. A government that will
keep its people hungry, that will leglslate
wholesome and necessary food Off the tables
of its subjects, is heartless tyranny al
most uncomfortable in ar age OF such hui
manity and enlightenment as the present
one. And yet this is the exact meaning of
the policy OF the European governments in
the prohibition of American meats. 1t is
not to be wondered at, therefore, that the
masses across the Atlantic are becoming
indignant at the continued imposition of
these absurd, and to them, unjust
and iniquitous measures. The reports
from time to time are to the eff
feet that petitions and memorials from the
citizens of the various governments men
toned are being transmitted to the author
tiles, praying for greater license towards
America in the introduction of its food
products into their respective countries. In
some instances these memorials have been
listened to with promises of relief, but in
the majority of cases they have been filed
away without any attention being given
them. In Great Britain just recently in
the matter of the importation of American
cattle, an influential deputation waited
upon LORD CARLINGfORD ito protest against
the restriction of the food supply" The
minister at the time went no further than
to disavow any intention of straining the
existing laws in the direction of further
prohibition of American meat The en-
barge of that country against American
cattle is said to be intolerable
to the great body of the English
people and in Germany and France like
wise. the conviction is steadily growing
that the government is perpetrating and
perpetuating an inexcusably absurd and
iniquitous measure in the premises. They
are beginning to feel the pressing need of
freor importation and more liberal supply
OF American food, and hungry people
! will not suffer themselves TO be fed for any
greatly extended period upon theories.
America in her present predcament in the
matter therefore, is likely to find her strong.
est ally In the common people of Europe
But while this is true, her duty to herself,
to her.producers and shippers, is none the
less binding upon her to inaugurate diplo
matte correspondence and measures that
will secure removal of the obnoxious re-
strictions, and more favorable reception
Of our food products in the future.
Tie opportunity is splendid one for
western men in congress to make reputa-
ton and do their constituencies a vast
good by bringing to and pressing upon the
attention Of government the inaugura
ton of special diplomatic measures to bring
Europe to its senses on this subject. We
should like to see this matter looked into
and satisfactorily settled by the next demo
cratic house. 1t is subject worthy of their
consideration and success In the premises,
would add wonderfully to tho popularity
aud prestige OF the party in various sec
tons Of the Union. Coupled with the AS
sistanco of the common people Of the old
world, little judcious diplomacy on our
part could accomplish all that is wanted
with reference to the subject.
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