Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-09-08
THE TARIFF.


yet it is almost sure y trotted out in
the year of presidential election.
And one of the most curious features
of its reappearance IS the tremendous
compilation Of data, statistics, phe-
nomcna, etc, which each side of the
question can produce to show that
their side is right and that the other
side is wrong. Geometry, arIthme-
tic, geology, chemistry, history, aye,
even religion, are all drawn upon in
the most suave and confidential
manner to prove that one particular
side Of the question scientifically
correct. And to an impartial Oh
server, in 50 far es any intelligent
person can be impartial, taking up |
the full argument Of each side sepa-
rately, and with attested facts, for it |
is facts that all tariff reformerS espe-
cially delight in, will find it some
what Of a difficult task to decide
which is the best or worst argument,
Now, | have especially mentioned
facts, because, as have said, these
disputers and contenders in the
arena Of tariff reform do not stoop
to metaphysics or philosophy or
any manner of ideaIism; they are
purely practical men, and therefore
to them no truth is conceivable UNI
less it can be demonstrated by facts
and figures. Well, we must admit
that the world could hardly get
along without such men; neverthe-
less their very efforts to be so con-
elusive by mathematical or other
demonstrations, and the totally OPP
poste results which follow leads a
naturally inquisitive mind to inquire
whether or no figures lie, and facts
also; understand, not doubling for
one instant but that every figure and
every fact that either side produces
are real figures and real facts. Adj
hitting all those points candldly, |
again say, with all due respect, and
acknowledging the honesty Of either
side, that the figures and the facts
that they present do lie, because
there are other fgures and facts M
separate from a proper sol"tion Of
the preston Which hare Herer been
presented in.ihese controversies.
Their propositions, upon the sur
face, look to be completely sound
and irrefutable; but it is this very
appearance of honesty that makes
them 50 dangerous. That trade per
Sc is very beneficial and necessary no
intelligent person will gainsay; but
by what legerdemain do our tariff
philosophers remove trade from tie
sphere Of pcryersjon? We all know
that science, art, and all forms of
human activities are perverted. X
Yet our self-styled benctactors
would have us believe that trade, I'M
like anything else, cannot be per-
verified. But we know, in spite Of
their figures and facts, that trade is
perverted from its legitimate func-
tons in society, which is the eX
change of commodities, value for
value, to satisfy wants that could
, not be gratiticd except through such
r exchange. But under our present
false system hddc is HSed rs means
Of erploHatj0N. amt this applies to
the entire system Of tude, properly
- col'ed mercaHtjIiSm, Whether il be in
protected America or FIRE tmle
, Britain
The evil lies in a fact not men,
toned by either the protectionists or
the free traders, /. e., that produr-
tioR and trade, as nor carried on, are
not for the Purpose Of satisfying
WGtts or creating new ones, but are
corried on so}elg and crcluslrely tor
the sake Of proft, and when profit ca,
: no Longer be made By those cbo harc
e m0aopoli.ed al the arraaeS Of trade
: ami the means Of production, then
produrfioH and tratic both cease, NJ
matter bow many thousands, aye,
t hUadredS Of thousands IF ~anh
"a there are, crying ami moaning 10 b
satisfied.
i Thus we see that under our in
Ii verified civilization, protection mean:
= the restriction of direct competition
= to the territory over which We still
have some legislative control If W,