The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-26
CURRENT LITERATURE.
Thompaon's History Of tho Tarifr.

X
that the Hon. R. w. Thompson, Of this State,
was preparing a new work on the tariff question,
and public expectation has been on the alert to
sea what THE old man eloquent" would have to
say on a subject he so well understands. The
book is now published. 1t is entitled, 'The
History of Protective Tariff Laws" The title
is hardly comprehensive enough to indicate the
scope Of the work. which, in addition to a bisto-
ny of protective tariff laws. has also history Of
the attempts to overthrow them and to suostl-
tute the policy of free trade. together with
general discussion Of the underlying principles
of both systems. In welcoming Colonel Thomp-
sons book, the Journal may be permitted to cay
that he is one Of the few surviving statesmen or
the old school and bore active part IN the POI
litical discussions whose history ne relates. His
public service ants-dstes that OF any other man
living N the State, and there are few in the
United States who entered public lie as long
ago. He was elected TO the Indiana
Legislature in 1884, serving continuously till
1871, when he was elected to Congress, and re-
elected in 1847. During ell these years he was
one of the leaders of the old Wing party, an
ardent supporter and personal friend of Henry
CLAW and President Harrison, and conspicuous
figure In the political contests and discussions OF
that period brilliant orator and ready de-
batter thoroughly trained IN the law and in
practical statesmanship. he was q recognized
leader in politics when politics meant something
more than the possession and distribution OF
With his large political experience and wide
acquaintance among the public men of past
generation. it might be expected that Colonel
Tnompson's book would deal largely IN personal
narrative and "reminiscences bearing on the sin
side history of political events. The absence
Of anything of the kind is somewhat of disap-
pointment- There is nowhere the slightest de-
parture from the strict course of history, except
the resulas Of certain eass.s Spd poIelea
The book 10 In no sense an autobiography
and vet the author nsrrates events of a past
generation with freedom and fulness that in
dictate personal well as historical knowledge.
1t is thing to collate and arrange the facts
of history preserved by others, and quite auoth-
er to refresh ones own memory by reference to
such authorities in order to relate what one
personally knows Colonel Thompson's book has
much Of this internal evidence of personal
knowledge OF events he describes. though there
is nowhere any reference to his personal pArtic-
ipation in them. While the historical value of
the book might not have been increased by in
cooperating such personal "reminiscences they
certainly would have given it added interest
But History of the Protective Tariff"
written from the standpoint and with the con-
vlctlons OF lifelong advocate of protection. 1T
is a very complete work Beginning with the
condition of the country IN colonial times the
anthor discovers the very sources OF American
manufactures, and shows how clearly our inter
ests diverged from those Of England from the
beginning In the infancy of the government
the people saw the necessity of protecting home
Industries and took active measures to that
end. Protective leagues were formed, Con-
gress was petitioned to legislate on the
subject, and q strong public sentiment
was brought to bear in favor of inaugurating
distinctiveiy American policy. Washington
sponded to these sentiments by recommending
protective legislation, and the first Congress
that met after the adoption of the Constitution
passed protective tariff law. This act, sup i
ported by the wisest men of that time ap-
proved by Washington, and its passage was
hailed with Joy throughout the country Its
passage committed the government to the policy
of protection, and marked the beginning of a
protracted controversy between those who ia
vored and those who opposed that policy.
Colonel Thompson traces the course of that con-
troversy through the early years of the present
century, during the various vicissitudes of the
government and shifting phases of politics down
TO recent times. An interesting feature of the
work is that in which the author shows the part
troubles of 1892 and the intrigues that led
to secession and rebellion. The author
frequently turns aside from the historical
narrative to discuss briefly the economic
and philosophic aspects of protection and to
trast its beneficial results with the gripping in
1lusnces of free trade. The philosophy of pro-
its benefits better set off by contrast with the
results of the opposite policy. One of the most
consDicuous and emphatic arguments in the
book is that by which it is shown that the tariff
question is in sense a humanitarian question
or question Of moral principle, but one of cold
political economy and governmental policy. The
autnar does not deny that free trade has been
wise and patriotic policy for England but he
shows very conclusivey that it is neither wise
sentiment in Colonel Thompson's craftsmanship;
1t Is all business On this line, he says
One of the frstessons this country learned in its
earliest history was the necessity OF avoiding entang
Europe Apart from the peculiar circumstances which
dersd It impossible that foreign influences could con.
tribute to prosperity and happiness Our govern
framed therefore, with special reference
dts advancement and not that of others We
hold commercial intercourse with the world other
peoples do under tho protection of international
and infiu
Hence lie people Of the United States should be st d.
their first and chefest duty to themselves. If
prophet to foretell that we should no
longer advance but retrograde-go backward and
not forward It is our primary duty attend to the
promotonof our own general welfare land leave other
peoples do the thing This is special con-
stitutionai Obligation imposed alike upon the govern
find fault with England for any exhibition of her
power greatness, we. nevertheless cannot evade
the responsibility of deciding for ourselves. and
our own account, how far we may venture to acqui-
esce in measures of her dicaon in view of the fact
that they had their birth In her desire to destroy
power q commercial rival.
This is practical craftsmanship. The ideas
here outlined permeate the entire work. making
il distinctivsly an American presentation of an
American policy. Many of the historical
passages would be read with interest if space
permitted their quotation here. but most per-
sons will prefer to peruse them with their
text in the work itself Colonel Thompson's
book is a valuable contribution to tariff htera-
ture and will contribute largely toward lifting
the subject above the plane of mere dollars and
cents into the atmosphere of broad principle
and patriotic politics. The book is published by
Il. S. Peale s. Co., of Chicago, and is sold by
subscription.
Other Publications.
A valuable contribution the discussion OF
the Sunday question is q new work entitled, GA
Critical History of Sunday Legislation" by Rev.
DR.. A. ri. Lewis The book enters field not
hitherto occupied in the literature Of the Sunday