New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-18
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.
PROTECTION TESTED IN CANADA.

SIR JOHN MACDoNALDs NATIONAL POLICY
ALONE SAVED THE DOMINION FROM RUIN.
TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: should obtrudc myself into this discussion
but that have facts present bearing on the
present economic question. These the experiences
Canada since she adopted protective tariff Just nine
y.ars ago. 1 in Canada while Sir Richard Cart
wrghts ee-t trade policy fell into dsrepute and while the
people cried out for protection 1t all about In this
way.
The Cartwright tarn constructed solely for rev.
enue and without any heed to the principle OF protecting
what tic country afforded in q natural state Under
this sys'm-a system L may add, almost identical with
that which Mr.. Cleveland and his friends propose
Tor this ctuntryrade fell of from year year the
people bought manufactured goods from foreigners IN
stead OF from native makers foreign dummers undersod
the domestic manufacturer under his very there
was an annual deficit the revenue. the for
the last cctrade being about $4,000 000 and the
whole commerce OF the country paalyzed Factories
and manufactures Of every kind either closing their
doors or cutting down half threequarer time the
people were leaving the country (by actual
Official siatiscs Of $4,000 year and flying to the
New England factories
The woFkngmen held meetings and passed resolutions
calling on the Government fnterposc legislation
remedy their plight They went to Ottawa and waited
on MI. Mackenzie Uhc Prcmicr and Sir Richard Cart
wright and begged them to interfere in some wey.'
ss Richard however thorough going Free Trader.
osntlcmeD," he said. trade should be free the
uoea Governments only make matters by trying
TO regulate commerce We a mere ny on the wheel"
Inc Vorkngmen turned away with hope gone OF their
hearts.
Sir John Macdonald was at this time leader of the
Opposition. He in deep disgrace because FIVE years
Oe'oic While head OF the Government he had been
vieted By the public Of selling Canadian Pacific Rail.
way Charter to Sir Hugh Allen Sir John now called
public meetings. ard assured the workingmen that II
they sent him back power would stop the exodus"
cailcd
ne said' VIII put wall Of protection around this
country ana cable to manufacture your boots
Shoes clothes furniture. and My policy
IN snort Is cana'a for the Canadians
Can you do this thing. really p they asked And
he sad, " Give the trial"
They did give him the trial They actually took This
man. mar whose Character black as t could be-
and put him In ofact with a rousing majority-a proof
surely, OF how deas tic very idea OF Protection to
the Canadians And what followed Sir Johns reacces
sion power 1t is the naked truth TO saw that change
came as II magic at Confidence was at once
restored and capitalists susied themselves in forming
combinations Sons put eir heads together ana went
at the manufacture OF cotton others erected sugar re-
nncries; established wolen mills; here and there
nprose furniture factories boot factories uacrcs
ar-shops, glass and establishments for the manu-
facture Of agricultural implements
So fast did these Industries arle that the rrecTraier.
Knocked and said that the tall chimneysr were only
dollhouse plants: They nlld and enduring as
plenty Of money and ample markets could make them
They came to stay, and they have remained The Cana
'ans who had fed out Of the county during the free
Nde years went back and capital from England and the
oited States poured into the country Nv the million
40 W think ovcrcsmate the case when say that
"ithh two after Sir John Macdonald adopted pro-
lection Canada hundred million dsllars better
or INC Nv policy Instead Of getting refined
the uhte1 States the dealers got from Montreal and
from Monc' instead OF buying cotton at the New
England mills they bought 1t from the native makers
Inc lheorss ha pophesed that everything pamperedr
nat Is proeo'eh would be dearcr they pictured
WRONGS Oh poor me' pairing for their and
sugar. III ornet 10 mnisin cotton lords and
Kings But all these things adjusted themselves under
Disk ana Wholesome rivalry. With Sir Johns pro-
tectiye policy-they cali National Policy n Canada
an eno came 70 systematic deficits indeed surplus
came the order Of the nnacial year.
Now this sketch, hasty and imnorfoct nc T. :. r,u,
can verify my statements roa the official bods has
the closest kind OF bearing the ssue in this ,ounrv
The present prosperous condition Of the United states
Is due to her protective syste inst As Canada, good
fortune Is ranlfestY raccable or nrese, nocv I'm,
Mr. Cleveland I'm difference hoories and tho non
OF economical drcamers IN nut this cornrv
IN condition like that out Of wh.h Canada has inst
dragged herself That condition. have shown was ono
q misery and despair. Mr. Cleveland will have I'm mis-
country under free-tradef he last what Canada
had under free-tradc And that let ipeat was this
Her markets at the Of every fseen hucsisr
had the product OF cheap labor sell The cheao
labor and foreign goods drove the Canadian ont .,
HIS business and out OF HIS country, and I pcdct that
before Mr.. Cleveland IS through he Will have the
American out OF his business IL H. cannot
put him OF his country too.
EDMUND COLLINS.