National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-11-12

A conference or convention Of free traders
is now in session In the city Of Chicago.
The membership embraces distinguished
citizens from various sections Of the couu-
try. Although self.electcd for the most
part and not necessarily representative Of
any interest in the United States, they have
n large and deeply interested constituency
behind them. They voice the ardent de-
sires Of all the manufacturing interests In
Europe. They speak for great interests
that are opposed TO the industries of the
United States. They are fighting the bat
ties Of their British brethren more effect
lively than the Golden Club.
Among the gentlemen in free trade CON
vention assembled in the great city of Chi
cago are many who have attained to emf
ncnce in cratory and others who have
written readable books. There are lawyers
ana clergymen and a few business men in
attendance. Occasionally the name of a
manufacturer has been gotten on the list.
But while all are respectable, and have met
for lawful purpose, IL is not claimed that
any one Of them is n recognized authority
on political economy. Some of them are
theorists, others are Missionaries, few are
simply fanatics. Their sessions will be en-
tertaining, for they will use good English,
and their speeches will occasionally sparkle
with bits OF beautiful rhetoric aud fine sal.
lies of humor
But who would think Of going to Waiter
son, Hurd, Beecher, and the like for sound
advice as to the great question OF protec-
tion? What community would trust It's
industrial interests to such men2 What
people, section, or state would call such
men to dictate policy touching every in-
tcrcst, reaching into every home, and affect
ing, for veal or woe, the life of every man,
woman, or child.
For brilliant essay on almost any theme
Mr. Watterson could be depended on. For
n fine display of Columbian oratory In the
National House of Representatives Mr..
Hurd has achieved undoubted fame. For
scintillant pulDiteering Mr.. Beecher has no
equal In this country or Europe.
But for hard, business sense, for practical
political economy, for the formulation of
lulcs governing the commercial intercourse
of this country with the nations Of the old
world, these are the last men who would be
applied TO. They are absurdly out OF place
when they set themselves up as teachers on
the question Of international trade. And
they call for something harsher than ridi.
oule when, with owl-like solemnity and an
air that seems to have been inherited from
long line Of sages aud philosophers, they
assert that majority of the people arc in.
Lee. f,,N I.1 60
the capacity Of the country to supply Its
own wants and the demands of foreign Gus.
toners.
Besides the three gentlemen above re.
ferrCd to, the list Of delegates includes
Messrs. Morrison and Carlisle. What in.
! timation has the country ever had that
either Of these gentlemen knows anything
/ about the practical business aspects Of the
tariffs They are good citizens, incapable
Of an Intentionally unpatrlotic course, but
judging them by their works, they must bC
condemned.
The last and greatest OF the economic
achievements of Morrison and Carlisle wal
the horizontal scheme which met its deatl
at the hands of Democrats in Democratic
House of Representatives. We do no
know Of any public man of either part,
who now defends that scheme. 1t has beer
almost universally condemned. Many o
the ablest Democratic leaders do not hest
tate to say that, II the measure had not beer
killed when 1t was and as II was, the elec
tion Of Democratic President in 1888
would have been absolutely impossible
Yet the claim OF the Carlisles and Nor
risons 10 rank as statesmen In politica
economies rests on :he cadaver of that de
capitated abortion
When good Brother Beecher and hi
brethren upend themselves to advocat
free trade on the beautiful theory that al
nations are one neighborhood and all mel
brothers, we have respect for their goodnes
Of heart, whGteverwe may think Of thei
soundness of head. II is not difficult +
admire the broad philanthropy, the alien
bracing charity of men who frankly tell u
that we pursue narrow, selfish policy 4
shutting out the poor of the old world fron
the good things which God has provided s
abundantly in this most favored land.
We know that protection, in shutting on
the products Of cheap foreign labor, is
discrimination against the poor of Europ
for the benefit Of American labor. Weplea,
guilty to loving the workers of Europe les
than ourselves. This may be as marrow,
as ''mean," and as "selhsh" as the mos
pious Of free trade apostles pronounce II
butt is the American policy, and American
will insist on keeping up the fence-wll