The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-01-31


lection of American industries. But this
was at period when the Industries were
in their infant stage. 1t was believed
that little assistance in the way of
special favoritism would soon make
them self-supporting. No one believed
that the little advantage conceded them
would result In demands for permanent
subsidies and even grow to the dimen-
sions of a domestic monopoly protected
wholly from foreign competition.
Besides it was the manner of raising
revenue and not the protective feature
that received the attention of congress in
the early days Of the constitutional period.
It was question whether revenue for
the government should be raised by di-
rect taxation or imposts. The latter was
selected, and for the reason that thereby
it afforded degree of protection to in
dustries which were struggling into exist
ence. The conditions were entirely diff
| ferent then from what they are now. In
deed, it was conceded later when the idea
of protection was crowding to the 'front.'
that it was designed only as a temporary
measure. 1t was only when those pro-
tected had grown plethoric with fayors
that they grew impudent in their de-
mands and boastfully claimed that the
progress of this country was due wholly
| 70 ho nv which thnyr
grew into unexampled prosperity.
The dimensions to which this evil has
grown, the firm grasp which it has fast
ened upon the country secured through
constant importunings accompanied by
pledges that the hold would be relaxed
when prosperity was reached, and now
the refusal "to abate one jot or little" of
what has been seized, If not in pirat-
ical manner, at least by deception and
hypocrisy, show conclusively the error
of the Fathers in recognizing the proteo-
tive feature at all.
| One can easily trace the growth of pro-
lection from small beginnings to degree
ofsstyranny which,,saps the likelihood of the
nation. At first it was revenue with in
cidental protection. Protection for in
FAINT industries soon grew to equality with
| government revenue as function of the
national legislature. The next stage
made protection the principal, and reve-
nue1the secondary, consideration, soon
followed by demand that protection be
a permanent feature. Then in the evo-
luton Of absolute monopoly, protection
grew into demand that foreign impor-
tations which might compete with Amer
lean products be entirely prohibited.
This is the tyrannic condition which
habits germ in that app rently harmless
decision that the revenues of the gov
eminent should not be raised by direct
taxation but by import duties, so as in
cidentally to afford protection to Ameri-
can industries. Just as the little germ OF
selfshness in the hero of Itomola nour-
ished by favorable circumstances smoth-
cred all tendencies to good in his char
acter until be became an unprincipled
scoupdrel, SO has the little principle OF
protection nourished by congress grown
into formidable stature and most op-
pressive insolence.
We want to begin anew and on the
broad principle that no industry lis to be
taxed for the benefit OF another and that
our boosted claim of equal rights find ex-
emplification in our practice. The prin-
ciple of protection is inconsistent with
just ideas of a republican form OF govern
meat as it recognizes caste in industrial
matters, fully as oppressive, unjust and
distasteful as social distinctions. Gov
eminent has no right to interference IN
| the business matters of the country when
a privilege extended to one becomes a
burden to another. The principle is an
| tagonistic to the fundamental idea upon
which government by the people is
based. To recognize the principle o;
pratiction is to insure the creation OF a
lobby to inauence:.congress, and to make
to secure greater advantages over those
among which organizations are not so
easily perfected. The Plot is free trade
paper to the extent Of demanding that
no industry shall by law be given an adj
vantage over another and that govern
ment revenues be raised not only with
out reference to protection, but if pos
sible in open, defiant and irl'econcilable
hostility to the policy.