Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1883-06-07
THE EETRADE CONFERENCE

We are glad that the free trade con
ference which commenced its session
yesterday assembled here, though it is
not as formidable rs promised in mum
bcrs or in timber. 1t is good place
TO come; the members will find our
rw-st waters and healthful breezes N
panscea for distemper, and though We
have no sympathy with their move
ment, we welcome them.
The great guns promised are not
here 10 boom With tin exception OF
David A. Wells, Mr.. Shesrman, Prof.
Perry and one or two more, the mem
bers of the conference have only pro-
vincial regulations This fact how
ever, is not of great Importance, for il
They advocate any great truth il will
find its way ont of smaller hot-beds
than the Detroit opera house, and not
withstanding any inconsequence in its
advocacy.
But even though the gentlemen con
cerned in this movement possessed ten
fold greater reputation and forceful-
ness. ne trust be sanguine indeed who
will build any great hopes upon it.
Ii is not new movement, nor Is il II
revived movement urged with new ar
gulnent. Tie theory is far older than
any of its living advocates, and in this
country is as ancient as the govern
ment itself And as for arguments
they have not one which was not ad.
vanced many times and long before the
war by the most brilliant rhetoricians
of the south.
1t is theory which has been cover
ed with metaphor, eloquence and as-
suIncd facts until it is impossible to
coin n phrase or round period in its
defense which cannot easily be proven
fragrant plagiarism.
Prof. Perry assumes that census
and bureau statistics are making con
verts " for them. This may be, but we
emphatically deny that there is any
thing in these published reports to
give them comfort. But whether we
are correct or not, every actual or per-
vcrtcl statement Of these reports has
been previously assumed or parallel
statements from other reports have
been used, SO that even the ne of the
latest figures adds nothing in the way
of novelty to the free trade argument.
The conference has therefore revived
an old issue which il viii advocate
with antiquated arguments, such rs
have been answered and refuted thou
sands OF times to the satisfaction OF
protectionists.
There is, however, this novelty in
II err proceeding: Action on the eco
nomical questions they present Las
hitherto been confined to the great po.
litical parties. Now, for the first time
in our history, the free traders meet
for an interchange of views and to
concert plans independent of the rec
ognizcd political parties. But here
their independence will end. There is
little probability that it will be carried
far beyond the present conference. -
I h" result OF their deliberations may
he summed up in the one word--agi
tate.
This agitation. If it was consistent
with the doctrine they enunciate, might
assume massive proportions For Wig
orous men. who are at the same time
sincere, will carry minds along with
them. But il has not been consistent
and will not he so.
The members OF tie conference may
egotistically approve themselves Garri
sons and Browns, but there is not a.
inspiration from the burning lips o
Garrison nor spnrS Of ilre from old
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