The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1884-01-26
ORGANIZED.
ASSOCIATIONS
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
The Headquarters in New YOrk--W hat
Several Branches Have DOne-.The
Outlook for Organized Agitation.

The Headquarters in New York--What
Several Branches Have DOne--The
Outlook for Organized Agitation.
Special Correspondence Of The Chronicle
NEW YORK, January 23.-The New
York Free Trade Club is not difficult to
describe. 1t s a very simple organization
which has fOr its purpose the publication
and dissemination of free trade literature
free trade in theory. OF course, for even
the most ardent member of the club would
not favor a sudden change from pro-
ton to free trade. The platform Of
the club, indeed its central and only
principle, is simply the good old Demo-
cratic doctrine that free trade is the only
fair trade.
Its system Of operation is to instigate
the formation OF local clubs all over the
country for the purpose, OF course, Of ed
ucating the masses of the people, and Of
preparing the way for a popular over
throw ultimately of the heresy OF protec-
ton. There have at various times been
something like hundred local clubs
formed, which owe something in the way
Of instigation or of help to this central
organization. The central organization
here has a schedule of action which it re-
conImends, and it contains good hints.
In the main, of course, the purpose is to
arouse popular interest in the subject by
discussion, and especially by lectures.
The New York club has caused to be
published a number of pamphlets and
cheap editions Of popular works which
make presentations of free trade doctrine.
Mr.. Putnam, Of the publishing firm of the
Putnams. is one of the leading spirits, and
his house has published all these docu-
ments, which are sold at minimum price.
This is an outline of the work. The
club is always ready to make suggestions,
and it has done excellent work. chiefly by
means Of its popular publications. 1t has
called attention to the fact, too, that al
most every educational institution OF note
in the country has a free trader in its
chair of political economy-there being,
in fact, few scholars who hold the con-
trary doctrine.
OF practical details, at your suggestion,
[ will write in my next letter, by which
| time I shall be able to give you a synop-
| sis of all the work done by the club and of
the outlook for free trade all over the
Union, as the club has Information. Local
organizations will gain practical hints by
| putting themselves in communication with
| the club here at once.
| can give you one we'll known example.
The PERSISTENT preaching of free trade in
Iowa-done at first and chiefly by one
man, Mr.. PhilpOt, Of Des Moines-has
had the result of reducing steadily and
enormously the Republican majority in
| that state, until now the State may almost
| be said to be possibly Democratic. The
| change has been made almost entirely
because the Republican party is avowedly
and necessarily party of protection, and
| there has always been hope that the DEM
| ocratc party would drive forward toward
! free trade.
| Mr.. Philpot in season and out OF season.
first almost wi hout support, with small
newspaper, began vigorous work there to
prove to the agriculturists Of Iowa that
| protection means simply robbery of them:
and lie now has so far triumphed that the
people of the State, it is likely, know
more about this fundamental economic
question than the people of any other in the
| Union.
They are coming to be free trade peo-
pie. Their neighbors have caught the en-
thusasm. In a word, by the work of Mr.
| PhilpOt as an editor, and OF local organ
izatious, the people have been instructed
instruction of the people to their own in
terests results always in the popular
growth of free trade doctrines. The West
you may count it sure, will be an ally o.
the South in work against protective
tariff until, by series OF prudent reduc
ton, the last vestige Of the heresy Of pro
lection shall be erased from our law.
The only way to make progress is BY
direct work on the people. That system
is bringing a revolution in the thought O.
the West. See how many Western mem
bers voted for Mr.. Carlisle They re
gard it as sure, and even as imminent
that a free trade crusade and a free trad.
triumph will be among the things not ia
off.
Organize. That is the only way t.
make popular headway. Organization
has been the secret Of success there, as
must be of all popular movements every
where. 5. L.
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|