The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-08-22
Light Breaking in England.

business mad a rest after that"
Light Breaking in England.
Earl Granville opposed the creation
Of the commission to inquire into the
causes of the business depression in
the United Kingdom upon the ground
that it might lead the people to be
lleVe that the government could
afford relief by legislation. This was,
In effect, the expression of his lord
ships fear that the results of the pro-
posed inquiry might afford strong
arguments against the further ad-
herence of England to the theories of
Golden. There can be little doubt
that, if the proposed inquiry is con-
Quoted intelIigentIy and thoroughly,
there will be aroused strong de-
mand from the English masses for
material relief. True, the govern
ment cannot create prosperity, but it
can by legislation take advantage of
existing conditions and put it in the
power Of the people to improve their
condition.
The free-trade policy was a great
thing for England in past years, 1t
made Manchester, Sheffield and the
other great industrial towns what
they are. The wealth of the cotton
lords, iron and shipmasters and other
rich manufacturers enriched the cOun-
try, and with cheaper bread the
masses gained great boon. But
England's commercial sun is wan
ing. Confronted with RIVALS commit
ted to protection, she is steadily los
ing control of markets in which she
was fOrmly supreme. AT present she
not only is compelled to push the
free-trade propaganda as best she
may abroad, but she is forced to COM
bat the growth of protection senti-
ment at home. Her colonies have
adopted the protective system, and
when reproached with their selfish.
ness pleaded their common sense.
A generosity on their part would
have suffered them to continue as
simply agricultural people would
haYe been vastly appreciated by the
followers of Golden in the mother
country, but the example of the Uni.
ted States has demOnst ated to these
new countries the wisdom of the pro
tectiYe system, while the nations OF
the Continent are for the most part
also committed to that system. Had
her colonies perceived sooner the
value of protection, the free-trade
policy would have fewer adherents
in the mother country to-day. AS
it is, that policy is being questioned,
and the distrust of it is growing.
That it will speedily be abandoned is
not maintained, but its material mod.
itication, which would be the presage
of its ultimate disuse, is, in the view
of many close observers, not far dis
tant.
1t is stated that the personnel of
the proposed commission to inquire
into the trade situation is not such as
to warrant materially satisfactory re.
suits, but it may suit the interests OF
the free. traders to discredit the COM
mission in advance. At any rate. the
fact that the commission is thought
necessary is an evidence Of suspicion
of the Golden theory and purpose
to test its wisdom. While England's
supremacy was little disputed the
Manchester school found ready be-
levers of its teachings, but in the
face of keen and increasing rivalry
in the worlds markets the skeptics
are multiplying as the faIlacies OF
free-trade come to be suspected and
demonstrated B0HO. HerdLd.