The Republican journal., 1884-08-28
The Fallacies and FaIsit1es of Free
Trade Organ

The Fallacies and FaIsit1es of a Free
Trade Organ.
The Prog. Age prints a statement from A. I.
Stewart & Co.. New York, ''showing relative
values of goods made in Europe with similar
goods made in the United States" and argues
therefrom that the people of this country shave
to pay enormous tribute to manufacturing
monopolists." If we admit the correctness of
the figures, it is easy to show that the conclu-
sions of the Age are wholly unfounded. 1t may
be well to say at the outset that the statement
in question bears date of Oct. 9, 1879; that the
firm of A. I. Stewart & Co. ceased to exist
some years ago, and that all importers are nat
uray free traders, and ready to aid, as many
are now doing, in destroying American manu-
features. This accomplished the market will
be monopolized by foreign goods and speedy
advance in prices will follow.
The figures given by Stewart & Co. relate to
alpacaS, broadcoths, sutings, coatings and
underwear, and these articles are said to cost
from 30 to 100 per cent. more in America than
in England. The firm add: "In many in
stances it can be readily seen that the imported
articles are much superior notwithstanding the
great difference in price" This sentence re-
vea> fully the animus of the importers. "Come
and buy our foreign goods" they say. (which
are better and cheaper than American goods.
manufactured by Americans for Americans.
Give Us the money which now goes to Ameri-
can workingmcn and women and after deduct
ing our commission we will send the proceeds
TO be divided among the laborers of Europe.
True. this will bring down the price Of labor in
the United States. stop emigration and DESTROY
what do we care: Our business is to sell for
clgn goods and the more we sell the bigger our
commissions; and if we can put a stop to
American manufactures and thus get rid of
competition we can fix prices to suit ourselves"
That is what A. 7. Stewart 4 Co. say In effect
and that is the position of other importers and
agents for the sale of foreign goods Ii ought
to be plainly seen. however, that their interests
and the interests of the American people are
diametricaly opposed; and that those who adj
vocate free trade are working in behalf of the
enemies Of this country and against the welfare
and prosperity of all its citizens.
The Prog. Age says that the difference in
price between foreign and American goods
goes into the pockets of the American manu-
factlWers "who add the amount of duty to the
price and not a cent of ii goes into the national
treasury. 1t Is Just much taken out of the
pockets Of the consumers over and above what
they would have to pay if they had the privi-
/, : ,l,,..i 81.
statement is both untrue and absurd but it is
important in one respect 1t is declaration
from the editor of a Democratic organ who
boasts Of having helped to frame the national
platform of his party, in favor of absolute free
trade. And that everybody knows is the drcc-
ton in which the Democratic party is heading
But, 10 return to the matter at issue, the figures
and comparisons of the Age are all wrong
The quotations of five years ago are worthless
how. All classes of goods are cheaper to-day
Than in 1879. and if comparison is made it
should be between the prices American con-
>umers paid for goods under Democratic rule.
with a tariff for revenue only. and the prices
r"ld at this time under the protective sys-
tenn Of the Republican party. This will show
arcduction in favor of the American consumer
Of from - to 100 per cent. instead Of the
reverse a. the Age would have its readers be
lieye. Protection has reduced the price of our
cotton goods rapidly to the consumer that
many grades are cheaper here than in Eng
land. The worthessness of the five wears old
figures Of the Age is illustrated by the fact
that iii two classes Of goods which have
only been made in this country for two or
duced from SO to 30 per cent. in that time and
the actual cost of the goods to the consumer
has been reduced in that time from % to 80 per
cent. Common grades of goods. owing to home
competition. have fallen in price below the
English prices The same is true of woolens.
Common clothing is to-day sold in the United
states To the consumer as cheaply AS in Great
Britain. And so of carpets, earthen and glass
ware. cutlery, and other things too numerous to
mention. 1t is supremacy silly to talk of Ameri-
can manufacturers as monopolists. Among our
own people we have free trade. The field is
open for all who choose to engage in manufac-
turing. II the profits were as large as the Age
NnHid nave Nappedr they would soon be reduced
by competition. What that paper is laboring for
is 10 secure for foreign manufacturers monop-
oily of the American market, to destroy our
iHahutaciorles and to reduce the price of Amer-
can labor to that OF the pauper labor of Europe.
But the people Of Maine are too intelligent to
be mi>ed by the false statements and fallacious
arguments of the Democratic free trade or
CANS, their votes next month will show.
Name Republican to the New York
Dudes.