Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-11-03
England Always Back of Free Trade
IErnm the Irish World |

When American industries began to
prosper under the fostering care of the
American policy of protection, England
was quick to perceive that she would be a
loser by the new order of things The rich
est customer she had was about to replace
foreign with native manufactures. She
instantly took alarm. Although the actual
loss from the diminution of British trade
was great it was nothing compared with the
prospective loss. America at the time
had scarcely begun to develop its
marvellous resources. John Bull, who
always has an eye to the future,
had already made calculation
of the vast wealth that would flow into his
Golfers from his American trade when the
young giant of the West would attain his
full stature.
England used her influence to create an
anti-protective sentiment in America the
moment the protective policy inaugurated
by the fathers of the republic threatened
her interests on this side of the Atlantic.
1t was that influence which divided
the political parties on the question
of protecting home industries against
destructive competition from abroad.
Until it made itself felt the Wings and the
Democrats were united in defense of the
protective policy. By the time the Re-
publican party came into existence, the
party of Jefferson and Jackson had fallen
under the dictation of Southern free-traders
who made no disguise of their intention of
fighting the policy that had built up the
industries of the country.
Free trade and cheap labor in the guise
of negro slavery were the two things the
South strove for up to the breaking out of
the rebellion. The Southers free-traders
were, therefore,, thoroughly consistent when
they inserted in the Confederate Constitu-
tion these words: No bounties shall be
granted from the Treasury nor any duties
nor taxes On importations from for
eign nations be laid to promote or
foster any branch Of industry" These
words are to be found in the first article of
the Confederate Constitution. So anxious
were the Southern free traders to force the
pro-British system on the States in rebel
lion, that they made free trade part OF
| the organic law of the Confederacy
When slavery, free trades twin brother,
! disappeared amidst the shock of arms the
Southern free traders did not despair of be.
ing able some day or other of renewing sue
cessfully the fgh. for free trade. The hope
is now realized. Southern free traders, under
the leadership of Cleveland and Mills, are
again at the forefront of the battle that is
being fought out in the interests of Brit
ish manufacturers. This time they are
using the ballot in place of the bullet. Ii
they succeed, they will render service tC
England that will make her grateful tC
them for all time to come
They have, however, no chance of sue
ceeding if the Democratic protectionists O
the North refuse to be led into the fre,
trade camp. The latter hold the key o
the situation and it is for them to say
whether policy with which they have nc
sympathy shall triumph in the person o
Grover Cleveland, who has relentlessly
protectionist who, like Randall, has. re
fused to submit to the dictation of South
| ern free traders.