The Portland daily press., 1888-09-05
Or. hamlin's Apology for the Presi-
dents and Professors.

To the Editor of the Press:
In giving some reasons for the singular fact
that so many of our presidents and professors
of colleges choose the British system instead
of the American, and are thus hostile to the
very men whose money has founded their
professorships, omitted one very important
consideration which should always be taken
into account. These sedentary gentlemen,
fond of social literary intercourse, and al
ways received in England in the most gra-
cious and gratifying manner, would find
their position extremely awkward if they
should utter word for protection. The only
exceptions would be found among people
whom they would not be likely to meet-the
great land owners whose landed interests
have been sacrificed to free trade.
The society of educated English gentlemen
is exceedingly pleasant. 1t quite takes pos
session of you. You will have gratifying and
generous attentions shown you. But do not
venture remark in favor of the economic
system of your country as preferable to the
British. Should you do SO you would not fail
to hear some strong unpleasant language.
You would wonder at the transformation
into very unpleasant critic, to say the least
He will hold your country in cool contempt.
Its vulgar democracy has rule. The Geo.
nomic themes Of selfish manufacturer" are
OF no value with him. A protective tariff is
renewal of the dark ages. Carried out it
would reduce the world to barbarism. He
would be likely to pronounce it "unchris-
tian, immoral" "thievish," piece of Eek
thof has strange hdiocy
BILE that unfortunately have votes.
This gives a. faint idea of the treatment that
a protectionist will be exposed to If he dare
to expose himself to free trade batteries.
Can 1t be reasonably expected that any mod
est American professor, who prizes very much
an occasional visit to England, will expose
himself to scorn and yituperationp All the
literary men of England are free traders.
Many OF them have studied the rhetoric of
contempt and depreciation. John Bright has
grown moderate and considerate in his use
OF terms. Mr.. Gladstone still uses, ON occa-
sion, his marvellous powers of sarcasm and
contempt. The united influence of all the
universities Is for free trade. with unmeas-
ured contempt for protectiOnists. 1t results
from this that those Americans, like Prof
sumner and Prof Perry, who have fully inn
bibed the British spirit, ornament their writ.
ing with British phraseology Americanized.
We thank them for so much of the Ameri-
can. The following are some their descrip-
tive terms, which are slightly improved or
Americanized, and applied freely to protec-
sas, anu tneIi measures anu pOIlcy.
"Shrewd and Selfish" measures carried by
lobbying" and"log rolling, "unscrupulous
"cajole and swindle' the farmers
and SO on through long list. All
this is English, you know, little American
lied, but the use of it will open to the au
thor England's most aristocratic doors.
!. Now literary men must be pardoned IL
they are unwilling to meet, for their
country's sake, ali this obloqay.' They can
not be expected to sacrifice the social posi-
tion which as free traders they can enjoy in
visiting the mother country. And who does
not value admission to the refined homes of
England? Can Cambridge College in Amer
lea be expected to expose herself to the scorn
OF the greater Cambridge in England? Can
PRESIDENT Elliot be reasonably expected to
be other than ian earnest free trader? Can
he afford to sacrifice for American national
interests his position in England, and in the
proud coterie of the Golden Club? Can he
be expected to meet such men of authority
as as, Adam Smith, Jevons, Fawcett, Senior,
reviewers and writers in the Times, the
Daily News, the Spectator, ETC., etc. We
have few able writers who stand by their
country against England. But as general
thing we most cherish kindly feeling to-
wards those who are tempted above that
they are able to bear, and who fancy that
In following such high British authority
they cannot go wrong. Probably another
century will make our institutions of learn
ing thoroughly American on all those points
upon which they are now Thoroughly British
would advise those who visit England
and have an opportunity to enjoy English
hospitality, which they do not wish to
sacrifice, never to be drawn into debate upon
the English and American systems. There
is better way. Propose. as humble
learner, and in a SOcratic way, all
the questions that suggest themselves as to
the result of more than forty years of the
most powerful advocacy Of free trade. Has
any European nation accepted it? France
partially accepted it for trial of ten years,
what was the resnlt2 Have your twelve
chief colonies adopted the British or the
American system? Which is gaining
wealth the more rapidly, free trade England
or protective France? England or the
United States? Pursue these questions for
half an hour in very quiet and humble
way and he will never introduce the subject
again.. He will moreover actually remain
in doubt as to where your precise place in
the subject is! CYRUS HAMLIN.