New-York tribune., 1890-08-31
MR.. Blaine ON RECIPROCITY.

Secretary Blaine is as much Of Protection
ist as Henry Clay and Horace Greeley were'
no more and no less. The fathers OF the
American economic gospel of protection Tor
home industries never favored the exclusion OF
National products and manufactures from the
markets of the world. Their arguments lnvari-
ABLY pointed in the direction OF the develop
ment of American industries until competition
with foreign producers should be practicable.
That was the highest aim of their economic
philosophy. The industries should first be es-
tablished strengthened and highly developed
and then gradually be brought into competi-
ton with older industries in the markets OF
the world under favorable conditions OF recip-
rocal trade. Secretary Blaine is not Free
Trader because he strongly favors an extern
sion of the Nations foreign trade. He Is
Protectionist of the oldest and best school, and
is following out to the logical results the
teachings of Alexander Hamilton, Henry Clay
and Horace Greeley.
The attempts of Free Traders TO misrepre-
sent the Secretary's position and views have
been equally desperate and fantastic. Inc
same tactics were employed against MIR. Clay
in his day, and were unsuccessful because IN
tclligent Americans could not be convinced
that he was anything but sincere and con-
sstent. albeit progressive, POtecbonlst, Our
friends the enemy have been striving with
eoual faulty to brand Mr.. Blaine as Free
Trader who was asSaing the protective syS-
tenn and undermining tariff legislation Even
when he was silent Americans could not be
convinced that the ablest Protectionist since
Clay and Greeley was at heart Free Trader
and now that he has spoken in the Maine can
vass there can be no excuse for Illusions, men
dacity and deception. Mr. Blaine favorS com
mercial reciprocity and the expansion OF for
eign trade, not because Protection has proved
q failure but Father because il has been shown
to be overwhelmingly successful. volume
of manufactures has been developed which
now oyerruns the demands OF the home mar
ket. Mr. Blaine perceives the necessity OF
opening foreign markets for industries when
are oyerproductive. He is not willing 10 re-
strict the triumphS of Protection to the nome
market He does not consider 1t "an am1l-
tious destiny for so great country as ours 10
manufacture only what we can consume or to
produce only what we can eat" lie advocates
evanston of trade with countries where profit
able exchanges can be obtained as the Logical
result of thirty years of successful Protection.
1t is fortunate that Mr.. Blaine in his Water
vile speech is explicit in defining his position.
His frankness and lucidty will facilitate re
adjustment of certain features of the Tanf
bill, which are not essential to the protective
system, but rather relate to the Nations reVe-
nue. resources Reciprocity as he presents II
is not a policy in conflict with protective
tariff. but supplementary thereto. 1t IS not
n min cnIa involving logically free trade III
suspended development, but policy OF CIR
cumstance and common-sense facilitating the
progress of protected industries and the open
ing of new markets for surplus manufactures
and produce Secretary Blaine appeals to the
enlightened sef-interest and to the patriotic
instincts of Americans by unfolding scheme
of broad and comprehensive protection OF Ma
tiona industries.