Wichita eagle., 1888-04-29
THE BENEFITS OF PROTECTION.
To the Editor of the Eagle.

To the Editor of the Eagle
In my last communication on Ameri-
can shipping, showed how it was fos-
tered and encouraged since the birth of
the republic by a law charging 10 per
cent. more ON all goods imported to these
shores by foreign built ships. This was
the legislation of the father of the repub-
lie and in an evil hour it was abandoned.
Had that policy been continued the stars
and stripes. the emblem of equality
which elevates the hopes and aspirations
of the toiling millions in the other lands,
could be seen today proudly waving
from the mast heads of our merchant
marine in our own as well as IN foreign
ports. The fate of our shipping engaged
in the foreign trade will be assuredly the
of all our manufacturing enterprises
which compete with the cheaper labor of
Europe. II our shipping is to be resus-
citated from the grave to which free
trade consigned it, it will be by return
ing to the protective legislation of Wash
ington's times or by giving subsidy as
England and France do to all our ships
engaged in the foreign carrying trade.
One of the consequences of this
insane policy of free trade, is the
payment of SEQ, 100000 twenty
millions, annually to foreign
vessels for carrying our imports and ex-
ports. The political party that adopts
and wishes to perpetuate this policy,
which produces such disastrous results,
will be consigned next November by an
outraged people to political annihilatiOn.
In this ultiIitarian age. selfishness is the
motive power that impels nations as
well as individuals, to take advantage of
the errors of their neighbors, and profit
by their mistakes.
In 1912 there was a protective tariff
laid on foreign iron which encouraged
and stimulated its production at home.
In 1876 the tariff OH iron was reduced,
and mark what followed. The output of
American furnaces was sold for 500 a
ton, but English manufacturers unload
ed their iron on our warves for $40 ton
and continued selling iron at that low
price until the American manufacturer
was crushed out of existence IN the UNI
equal conflict. Then to compensate
themselves for previous losses. they
raised the price to $50 ton. II was
foreign manufacturers who got this big
price; they controlled the American
market, and sheared the silly American
sheep to the skin.
Under a protective tariff we could have
cheaper iron; and it is expected by the
Democratic party that we will forget the
past; prove recreant to our highest con-
ception of duty and strengthen their
hands, in order they may have another
opportunity of legislating for the benefit
of foreign nations. As might be expect
ed while England controlled the price of
iron, it was cheap in England but dear
in America, consequently we could not
build iron steamships.
Labor was also much dearer here than
on the Clyde, and we have it on the au-
thority of the great ship builder, John
Roach. that ninety per cent OF the cost
of an iron steamship is labor.
A Democratic cabinet officer gave the
death blow to our shipping in 1855 by
refusing to pay American steamers a
higher price for carrying the mails than
was asked by an English company.
When we take into consideration the
fact that this cabinet officer was no other
than jefferson Davis. afterwards presi
dent of;the southern Confederacy, we,need
not seek far for the motive which
.actuated him in his hellish endeavOrs to
leave us dependent on foreign nations
for our iron, our clothing and our ships.
When the war broke out in 1861 we
did not have canvass enough to make
tents for our patriot soldiers, we did not
even have bunting enough to make a
flag nor money in the treasury to buy a
musket. The political party that brought
our common country to such humlliat-
ing condition is controlled by the south
today as well as in 1861. 1t is now as
well as then seeking by free trade legis-
lation, to bring our farmers, mechanics
and laborers to the degrading condition
occupied by these classes in Europe.
Hatred of labor is ingrained in the very
nature of these southern Democrats who
control the party, and the man who
knowingly votes for the perpetuGtion of
principles which degrade and impover-
ish the class TO which he belongs is de-
generate son of noble sires.
Yours, resp.
ONE OF THE MACS.
Glen-bIarv Farm, April q, 1885