The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-17
FREE-TRADERS AT DINNER.
Mr.. Carlisle Strikes the Keynote for
Taxation for Revenue Only.
The Policy Of the Revenue Reformers Shaped
at the Banquet Given by the New
York Free-TPade Club.

trade Club gave its sixth annual dinner to might.
Horace White and Manton Marble the former
editor of the World, were among the guests.
Letters of regret were read from United States
Senators Bayard, Pendleton and Beck, Charles
Francis Adams and Henry Ward Beeeher,
President Everett S. Wheeler welcomed the
guests especially Speaker Carlisle As the
name of Mr.. Carlisle was mentioned, the gentle
men arose and cheered.
The president in his speech referred to the
resolutions of sympathy passed by the House of
Representatives on the death of Herr Lasker
the determined opponent OF protective policy"
and said that I'VE are delighted to notice that
the whole country has united without distinc-
ton of party, in condemning the action of the
German Chancellor in refusing to transmit.this
resolution to the Reiehstag' Mr.. Wheeler said
that another encouraging fact is the report on
the Morrison bill ''ft is step forward and we
welcome it" Free trade" he said, docs not
mean untaxed trade. 1t does mean that com
merce should not be burdened more heavily than
agriculture manufactures, and that no class of
our citizens should have bounty from the gov
eminent at the expense of the rest We urge
the reduction of the tariff because we are Amor
leans, and because we believe in the power and
effectiveness of American industry
When the President finished his remarks, and
said that Mr.. Carlisle would respond to the first
toast the gentlemen at the tables applauded
loudly, and when 3ir. Carlisle arose every man in
the room stood up and eheered again and again.
The sentiment to which Mr. Carlisle respond
ed was: Our Federal Union After making an
acknowledgment of his reception, he said:
Il am obliged, always, for an opportunity of
saying few words in response to the toast which
is assigned me. The promotion of union.
peacefully and voluntarily, which made such
radical changes in the relations between several
States themselves, and between them and the
general government, was undoubtedly one of
the greatest political achievements of modern
times. 1t is, | think, safe to say that in no other
part of the world could such change have been
peacefully made at that time, and perhaps it is
equally safe to say that it could not have
been made twenty or thirty years later
The old federation possessed means
Of sustaining itself In fact, it had power to
impose taxes, regulate commerce. or administer
justice. 1t had but one of the essential depart.
ments of real government, the legislative, and
even that was defective and almost mpotent
Each State had the right to lay and impose
duties, subject only to the condition that they
should not interfere with the duties entered
into by the United States and with foreign
countries or States. There was no limitation
whatever on the power in any State to impose
duties upon products of any other American
State brought within its limits for consump-
ton. For the purpose of protecting its own
manufacturers the State Of New York had full
power to impose any rate of duty upon PlIiladel-
phia goods and New Jersey possessed the same
power in respect to the products of New York.
If free trade is what it is and every one claims;
if it enables them to overcome the natural dis
advantages and secure n higher degree of trans
pOrtation, it must be admitted that the arrange
ment existing under the confederation q
wise one. and ought never to have been disturbed
''But the trainers of the Constitut1on-men
who founded this federal union-did not they say
that they believed that free trade absolute free
trade between the several States was iinperativey
demanded by the interests of the people! This
free trade was established by the Constitution
not only for the trade between all States then
existing, but between all States that might there
after exist as members of the federal union, and
most all Will admit that the wonderful trans
portation of this country is attributable largely
TO that prOvision-InOre largely than to any
other one thing What a different picture this
country presents from what it would have pre-
scented if the policy of restriction and protection
had prevailed among the States as it has pre-
vailed for many years between the United
States and foreign nations Under the liberal pol
icy established by the Constitution means of
internal communication and transportation is in
ereasing Free commercial intercourse between
the States has promoted the development Of
national resources; fosteTed agriculture and
manufactures and added millions to the wealth
of the people, while the protective system has
to a large extent at least. shut us out from the
markets of other countries. and brought us sub
stantially to the demands of home consumption,
aud in many cases has actually arrested free de-
velopment of great industrial interests.
1.-The Constitution not only prohibited the
States from laying imposts on imports OF exports,
but it expressly delegated to Congress the power
10 collect duties to pay for the general welfare
This is simply the power to raise revenue for
public purposes. 1t is Il monstrous abuse to use
it. not for the purpose of raising revenue, but for
the purpose of prohibiting commerce. tits, if
possible, still greater abuse of that power
to employ it for private instead of for
public purposes Let no man, ] pray you, mis-
understand upon this point Experience alone
has shown that it is almost impossible to devise
hot mt in ata,.
or less degree, either iniure benefit private
industrial interests l mean to say that when
the primary object of that taxation is the
fostering of private interest, it is not in legti
mate of the power of taxation but it is
simply spoliaton. When we have adjusted
ourselves in the same way as those who have be-
come accustomed to it. it might be injurious to
suddenly repeal or greatly reduce the duties
For these reasons it has always been my opn-
ion that it was the duty of Congress to proceed
carefully on this subject, having due regard for
every step. In other words, am in favor of
reformation, not a revolution. This process efa
reformation must go until the power of tax
alton is used only for proper pur-
poses. There must be no step backward. 1
have already briefly intimated that this federal
union is commercial well as a political one
We are instinetvely opposed to the British sys-
TEN of government in America. Taxation only
for the purpose of raising revenue for the pub
lie use should be established by law. l will
aid any body of men in bringing about this grand
result"
The reference of Mr.. Carlisle to revenue for
public purposes elected emphatic concurrence,
did his declaration that he was in favor of
reformation, not a revolution. As he uttered
the closing sentence the company rose waved
handkerchiefs and cheered heartily.
United States Senator Vance, of North Caro-
lima, said in response to the toast, Equality
before the Law that the highest mark of a pa
triotic statesman to attain was to secure the
framing of laws that men could obey. If one
man is allowed to send to Europe for GER
tain articles that he wants, and l am prohibited
from sending for jacksnife or pair of shoes
which need. where is the equality under the
law! Political slavery, which was settled in
1876, and domestic Slavery ended by our civil
war, are behind US. But the slavery of finance
md commerce is before US, and is to be met