The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-09-26
rnE BEDROCK PRINCIPLE.

At the very found alton Of the Democratic
doctrine OF free trade lies this fundamental
principle A jest government should leave
each citizen free to sell where be can sell
dearest and 70 bay where d. can buy cheap
est. This lies at the bottom Of the politico-
economic doctrine OF the school men, on
which they build the superstructgre Of free
trade. As al abstract proposition it IS un-
answersble. Bat benign governments and
wise statesmen are not limited To 4 con-
sideration OK mere distractions.
The principle laid down in the Declara-
ton oil Independence, that among the in
alienabie rights Of man are life, liberty and
the pursuit OF happiness. Is as an abstract
proposition eminentiy sound. But, when
the public safety or the public welfare de-
mand 1t, government aiienateS either or all
OF these rights. taking man life. depriy-
ing him OF liberty and leaving him in any
thing but happy state Of mind.
as az abstsaet proportion u Is true tbs.
man should be allowed the undistnrbed
possession and enjoyment of all the prop
sTty he honestly inherits or acquires. But
- the extent that the necessities of the
community require It, government taxes
The property and as an ultimate possibility
the right To tai carries with Il the right la
sonfiscate.
The proposition that each individual
should be unirammeIed in the exercise of
The right to aell where be could sell dearest.
and buy where he could buy cheapest,
would be perfectly unasssilabIe Il il were
true that each individual lives solely for
himself and of himself But in civilized
countries the individual IL but a unit of the
mass. From the community he and hi.
rights aud interests are entitled TO con
.ideration. To his fellows Of the com
munity he owes reciprocal obligation OF
respect for their rights and interests.
This is the point Of view from which Just
governments and bfoad-nlinded statesmen
are wont TO consider the subject
From this point Of view the above quoted
fundamental principle of the free traders
appears narrow. selfish and sordid.
The individual who should put il into
practice IN this country at this time, as to
tsts AAfAtA Vi Nsftt ffRRfpf
10 white man 50 long as there was a China
nan capable Of doing the work he had 10
10. This principle applied, Chinese. Huns
Hottentots and all manner Of degraded
cheap laborers would be- imported by the
lens al thousands and by millions, and the
Intelligent laborers OF our own country
would be forced to starve or fight.
This principle strjetiy applied. the pro.
imeeTs OF food and other necessa aries OF life
would leave their peighbors 10 starye for
want OF those neoesSaries. provided they
Gould be sent 10 foreign countries and sold
or more than the neighbors could afford
N pay. Here would be another case of
asrve. fight or leave the country.
These are The considerations which force
themselves into the minds of wise states
men and control the policies Of Just govern
nents. The government which pro:ectx
he one class In the acquisition and secur,
possession Of wealth. and the other in the
production and safe possession OF commo.
Titles, has a right and owes it a. a duty IN
he community, viewed as a whole. 10 re-
'rsin the selfish exercise ~ an abStrac; in
siyidual right in n manner subversive %
he public peace and destructive Of ths
suhlic welfayc.
When government without oppressive
discrimination sgaias, any class. ean bv
mud and iudieious regulation promote the
Employment 81 home in preference 70 TO-.
asn labor, agd tho the SUPPLY Of the home
n preference 10 iorcign market, thereby
'veTting possible causes tor injustice and
'ons'et. surely 1t Is beyond dispute that
saoA policy should he pursued.
such IS the ~i>e. last. humane. conlpre.
isasivc policy 81 protection 10 American
nanaiaci0rcs. products. labor aud com.
nerve.
II Is In marked contrast To the narrow
ard selfish poliey which would SCI abroaA
hoogh your nssshhoT~ should starye ana
pny Foreign labor though your se.ios.
'o9ntry naan of that class should Ne driven
MO the pcovhonse for lack of wu~k