The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-09-06

ing the philosophy of trade relations. but
was the primal necessity, and we seized
it wherever we could reach it lawfully,
but during the last eighteen years
a great change has been made. So
entirely has the war tariff been abol
abolished that in the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1889, the articles admit
ed free were considerably more than ono
third of all the imports To be exact, the
articles that paid duty exceeded SASS, 900.
600 in value, and the imported articles
that paid no duty exceeded $3.50 600, 600
in value. The inevitable tendency is,
think, toward the increase of the free
list.
OUR GREAT MISTAKE WAS MADE
when we began to repeal the war duties
on so large an amount of imports. Any
duty repealed was favor and an advan-
tage to the exporting country, and we
have asked nothing in return. Instead
of this course (Which | must say was one
|, of carelessness and wastefulness by both
| political parties), every repeal of duty
| should have been preceded by a most
thorough investigation, and whenever it
was found practicable to export anything
from the United States, and thus estab-
lish reciprocity of trade. it should have
been done. do not, of course, intend to
| declare or to imply that We could have
secured the free admission of 1886, 900, :
600 of American products into countries
| whose products we purchase annually to
that amount. The richer country cannot
| expect to get complete reciprocity in
amount from countries less wealthy;
1 -t .,zI
would have been clear gain, and in all
fu'ure repeats of duties whatever we may
be able to get will be clear gain. IL is
not question of setting deliberately to
work to establish reciprocal exchanges.
But with all the duties We have TINS far
repealed it has been question of whether
we should get something or get nothing
We have chosen with our closed to get
nothing. l hope now, with our eycS
open, that we shall in future choose to
get something. We encounter opposition
| to this policy from those who declare
that if we enter into reciprocity of trade
with one country We must do SO with all
countries, and thus indirectly bring
about complete free trade.
l do not see the logic of this, and am
sure the fact will not prove as predicted.
|
nation because we find advantage in it
We may decline to enter into reciprocity
with another nation because we see nc
advantage in it.
| RECIPROCITY DEFINED.
Reciprocity is simply policy of circum
stance to be determined favorably or ad
yersely, according as its operation may
make or lose for US To say that because
we enter into reciprocal relation with one
country on one thing, we must enter into
reciprocal relations with all other coun.
tries on all things is to my mind as alb
surd as to say that if buy horse to.
day, l must necessarily buy drove OF
asses to morrow. All objections of that
kind are, l am sure, unfounded, and will
not stand the test of argument or practi
cal trial. Our people do not realize the
great fact that il spe Gle is endangered in
this country, it is likely to be endangered
by our present system Of trade with the
Latin American states. The few millions
of gold that have gone out OF this country
within the past few months have created
uneasiness IN certain quarters as to ouI
financial position. 1t is very extraordin.
airy that the LOSS of these millions from
banks in Wall street should be accounted
so serious an event, when We have lost a
much larger amount during the same
period from the condition of our trade
with the countries south of us without
exciting the least observation. When
our merchants and bankers come to
thoroughly appreciate this fact, We shall
receive aid and influence in the reform OF
our trade from a quarter which thus far
it has been impossible to enlist.
The large audience listened with the
profoundest attention, and his speech
met with great approval. Hon. w. E
Mason. of Illinois, followed, endorsing in
an enthusiastic speech, the principles of
reciprocal trade. The meeting closed
with an earnest speech by Hon. Henry
Cabot Lodge, advocating, before the
people, the Federal Election bill, warn
ing the voters that the government must
protect all its citizens in the right tc
vote His presence was unexpected, anG
the people greeted him with a warm
welcome. About $500 persons were
present.