Little Falls transcript., 1889-10-04
Liberals who at first voted against
duties en- grain declared that they

ly. And while the free-traders
manifested thus great self-restraint
the Government and the protectionist
majority on their part opposed every
attempt to increase certain duties.
Several addresses having such increase
i'll view were adjudged by the COM
mittce on petitions improper, for the
consideration ofthe Reichstag. With
reference to these addresses the order
Of the day was taken up. In an ad-
dendum to- the German-Swiss treaty
Of commerce such important reduc-
tons in the tariff were made. 1t
will thus be seen that there exists
a decided quietness, a weakening of
opposition, and desire for rest on the
tariff question.
Thus far the Cologne paper. Its
observations comprise invaluable
hints. In the first place let US consider
the maintenance Of the duties on grain,
even under the pressure of the un-
favorable harvest Of 1888. Let there
once come year Of poor harvests
thus declaimed the opponents of
grain duties-then it would appear
what reckless thing had been done.
What, however, was the fact? The
price Of bread did not rise, or, at least,
but very little. The disastrous con-
sequences Of the grain duties failed to
appear. Experience, as we expressed
ourselves on a former occasion, furnish
ed testimony quite different from that
Of theory. Far from evil results, the
introduction of protection duties in
Germany produced everywhere greater
activity in industrial pursuits, and
even agricultural interests did not
suffer. The pretext that only the
owners of land would be benefited lost
its significance and force; only the
socialistic and radical agitators, who
hesitate at nothing, dare still bring it
forward.
No wonder, then, that the liberal,
economical opposition began to adopt
u passive policy. Although Germany
is specially noted for its speculative
thinking, because metaphysics flourish
there, the German nation is neverthe:
less eminently practical at heart.
What figure, therefore, would the
free-traders cut in the eyes of the
people if they should antagonize a
tariff which has become so evidently
profitable both to the individual
citizen and to the national treasury?
With the very wise motto, "We desire
to watch two effects Of tariff revision I:
little longer" the matter vas allowed
to rest.
Such Il position gives evidence at
least of practical and intelligent
sentiment, which, perhaps, we woul9
not find quite SO general among the
Dutch free traders. For we do not
deem it impossible, even though the
event should prove their error, that
our free-traders will continue to speak
and write about the glories Of a tariff
which enables small nation to give
a noble example of its attachment
to the eternal principles of liberty
even in the field Of commerce.
q = !:
1.-THE industry and agriculture OF
the Netherlands could be made to
prosper by means of the speeches OF
Liberals they would be the most
fortunate and fourishing in the world
That, however, can, alas, not be, and
therefore we ask the Government and
the majority of the peoples representa-
tives: ''Revise the tariff i'll accordance
with more protective IDEAS
With an eye to events in Germany
we add: "Be not deferred therefrom
by the opposition. Terrible pictures
Of the effects of tariff revision in ou1
sense will be placed before you by
the free-traders with a plausible appeal
to material interests and patriotism;
you VII b. pointed to t:le danger OF
reprisals on the part of other powers.
According to them the Worst may be
expected should the Netherlands dare
to abandon policy which has brought
her no prosperity"
The lesson taught by Germany
could be supported by those taught
equally by France, Belgium, Italy
and other states. We will refrain Fl
adducing these, however. The facts
in Germany speak loudly and forci-
bly, enough. We merely wish to assert
this, that the jeremiads Of free-traders
are nowhere justified by experience
The protectionist tendency is every.
where gaining force. In Sweden, fol
a long time one Of the strongholds
Of free-trade, protection has now
triumphed. King Oscar, personally
in favor of free-trade, has finally given
way. Everywhere, therefore, does
protection prove victorious. Only in
this. country does free trade still
manage to maintain itself. Pretty
soon we shall stand alone with ou,
impracticable tariff.
Perhaps the free-traders will say:
"1n our isolation is our strength >
But the statesman who uttered these
remarkable words would never have
made them in relation to material in.
terests. An isolation which brings
with it the enfeebling of our nationa
resources would never have BEEN ad.
vocated by Doctor Groen Won Prin
sterer. ...s s.s.>.: .5.s=a ~. -
The ny narimant of a ,v;se nrofoatin ~