Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-10-21

In brief, we supply less than onesixth
part of that demand, the lions share be-
ing supplied by England. Germany, France
and other European nations.
With these facts in mind, let us briefly
examine the sentiments of Democratic
leaders ON the necessity of trade revo-
luton in this direction.
DEMOCRATIC SENTIMENTS.
In letter to the citizens of Galveston
Texas, in May, 1877, Hon. Samuel j.
Randall, wrote:
"The time has come, in my opinion,
when the policy of the Government
should be to enlarge our trade relations
with Mexico and with the Central and
South American republics. 1t is well for
us to study the statistics of the trade be-
tween these countries and the markets of
the world, from which we find that the
people Of the United States are not re-
ceiving due share of the commerce of
the countries l have named. We need
more favorable commercial relations and
more comprehensive trade connections
with other nations. Let me cite few
| figures to prove the truthfuIness of my
assertion. The public documents show
the foreign commerce of the countries ly-
ing south of the United States on the
American continent to be about $780,
600, 900. Our share OF this amount is
about SIP. 600, 900, of which only about
$37, 600, 600 is transported in American
vessels and under the American flag.
Such o statement should at once arouse
our people from their lethargy. The war
stimulated the manufacturing facilities
of the North enormously, and only by
the adoption of such policy can we
keep up the activity of our manufacture.
ing districts and secure u market for our
productions. 1t is discredit to our en-.
lightenment that we, as people, stand
quietly by and do not make sutficienten-
deavor to increase our meager share of
this important trade. When the extended
| policy to which / have referred is in
augurated, as it must and will be, then
will your city, your State, and the entire
coast of the Gulf, receive the advantages
which nature has bespoken for them"
| In recent and elaborate paper on the
Importance of more intimate trade rela.
tions with the other nations of the West.
ern Hemisphere. Hon. Richard W.
Townshend, Of Illinois, wrote:
"The most far-reaching and vitally i'm
portant question before the people of
North aud South America is their com.
mercial relations with each other. 1t is
one that deeply involves the permanent
prosperity and general welfare of every
nation in the Western Hemisphere. 1t
especially affects the interests of all
classes and industries in this country.
The general depression of our business
interests which has prevailed SO long is
mainly due to the limited extent of our
foreign markets. In consequence of the
failure to dispose of our surplus products,
trade has been stagnant, factories have
been closed, many laborers have been
idle, wages have been reduced, and the
production of our farms and factories
have greatly shrank in value.
'The only remedy for this condition
of things is the increase of our foreign
markets. But where can they be found?
Not in Europe. She has no need of our
manufactures, and her demands for our
agricultural products is decreasing. 1t is
useless to look to Africa or Asia. The
only opening for an adequate extension
of our markets is Mexico, Central and
oOutu AtHeTlcds IL We Will Niak6 tue
proper effort they are easily within our
| reach"
His efforts to secure those neighboring
markets for our surplus manufactures are
stated as follows:
With this end in view the writer pre-
sented in the last Congress measure
which, If adopted, will not only give us
the largest share in that trade, but will
place it under our control. The measure
to which allusion is made is the follow
ing Joint resolution which / introduced
in Congress Jan. 7. 1884:
"That the President of the United
States be, and he is hereby. requested to
invite the cooperation of the govern
ments of the American nations in secur.
ing the establishment of commercial
league by and between the said nations,
to be known as the customs union of
/ America, the arrangement of common
basis of import duties from other coun.
tries than those which may compose said
league, and that the commercial inter-
course among the people OF all the Ameri.
can States may be freed from the pay
ment of any customs or other dues what
ever; and that common system OF
weights and measures may also be estab-
lished for the purpose of facilitating such
intercourse.
sThis was intended as the initial step
for the establishment of an American
zollverein, or customs union, based upon
the same principles as those of the Ger
man zollverein. 1t contemplates the same
freedom of trade among the nations of
the three Americas that has so long ex-
isted among the German.speaking coun.
tries and the States of our national un.
ion."
In opening the Democratic campaign Of
1884 at st. Louis, soon sfter the nomina-
ton of Mr.. Cleveland at Chicago, Hon.
James o. Broadhead voiced the senti.
ments of the Mississippi Valley, as fol-
lows:
"It is our interest, not only the inter.
, est of st. Louis and the Mississippi VAL
| ley, but Of the whole country, to secure
the commerce of these sister republics.
The imports OF these countries amount
annually to nearly $500, 900, 900. We
supply only one-sixth of this amount.