Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-01
THE MEXICAN TREATY


The APPEAL has discussed the principle
in accordance with which the important
question laid before the country by the pro-
posed Mexican treaty should be discussed.
That principles that free trade between the
States is, next our natural advantages, the
great cause of our prosperity. That if that
principle had been extended to California
while in Mexican hands, in 80 tar as it
brought the productions of that State 10 us,
and took our productions 10 there, we should
10 that extent be receiving the same benefit
from that trade as we have done under the
change OF government. California gold and
fruits are OF the same value in American
hands, whether the country whence they
GENE be under our own or another govern
ment. The consequence is that if, by treaty
or other ways, we can get possession OF the
product Of toll or soil remaining in
Mexican hands, and sending in return pro-
ducts of our OVID, we are to that extent re-
ceiving the fame good from Mexico as we do
from country that was formerly a part of
Mexico. Clear as this principle is, there are
selves certain advantages by violating it, and
denying a mutual, free interchange of pro.
ducts-free except in so far as duty for the
public revenue is concerned. We are sur.
prised to see among the obi.ctors, on grounds
obviously fallacious, a paper as intelligent
as the Nashville American. That paper re-
CARDS the treaty as sacrificing Southern 10
Eastern interests, because The products OF the
United States that will be affected by the
free list extended to Mexico are principally
such as are grown in the South, while
others are such as sre usually consumed
in Eastern manufacturer. A little re-
Election will show the americans OBJ
lection TO be in-taken. As the South adjoins
Mexico, the coincidence Of productions was
necessary consequence Of natural fact,
not of Gen. Grants scheming. So other
articles named in the treaty are appropriate
10 Eastern manufactures, because our treaty
makers desired to receive raw material that
could be made valuable by American skill
and labor. Therefore the paper pulp, skins,
rubber, iber, dye-stufs, timber and similar
articles admitted in he raw, must nscessa-
rily tend to the Eastern manufacturers, as it
would tend in any other direction in which
those manufactures might be situated H ad
the treaty been with Canada, the objects adj
mitted would have been OF the kind pro-
duced in the North, and raw material for
Canada would have tended 10 the same di-
rection as those from Mexico. This class Of
the Ameriean's objections, therefore, supply
no reason for objecting to the proposed
treaty with Mexico. That paper probably
sees the want OF lorce in its own arguments,
for, in another srticle, it objects to the
treaty on the ground OF commodities being
admitted free on which the protective
tariff has placed duty. Here,
we presume, lies the real grievance.
The capitalists who have been maneuvering,
and snarling, and grasping, and log-rolling
for weeks in Washington, are aroused 10
keenest rage at the proposition 10 admit
anything from which they are not drawing
tribute. Iron and sugar and copper and the
rect, while pharisaicslly parsd ng philan-
thropy and concern for the American work.
men, are intent upon turning the whole pol
icy Of great nation iuto al instrument of
material profit to themselves, and using the
national power as an instrument Of their
selfish schemes. az etaf G est MOI" was the
assertion OF French king; II am the State"
and the capitalists are acting on similar
maxim, but in doing so they are 'treasuring
r. Il a.
by forging weapons for Communists
and Socialists to turn with terri
BILE force against themselves. The honor
and the greatness OF this country have
higher aims and nobler purposes than 10 be
dragged down to the corruption of unscru'
pulous money -getters for their narrow ends
When, for the extension of our civilization
our influence and our material progress We
make a treaty with a foreign people, are all
considerations OF what is noblest and best il
national life to be 'cribbed, cabined ana
confined" at the will of men who seek tC
monopolize for themselves benefits tina
should be shared by the whole collective
nationl Is the position OF the great Ameri
can Union among the powers OF the earth Il
be made Eubservient to The mer'
selfish impulses of a clique whit
seek TO subject all the influences of tn,
country to their own interests? The com
mercial relations OF the country are of price
less importance, but they in their eminenc'
are to be disting uished from the petit
schemes of pig-iron Kelleys and the who'll
crew Of monopolists that would cut dow
those interests 10 the narrow scope Of thei
own enrichment.