Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-10-02
Mr., Blaine on Reciprocity.

Secretary Blaine is a. much Of a Pro-
tectionl-t a. Henry Clay and Horace Gree
ley were no more and no less. The faith
er~ NJ the American economic gospel Of
protection for home ministries never ia
vored the exclusion of National products
and manufactures from the markets Of
the world. Their arguments invariably
pointed in the direction of the develop
meut Of American industries until COmpe-
ttion with foreign producers should be
practicable. That wa. the highest aim Of
their economic philosophy. The indus
tries ~hunld first ~ established, strength
ened and hghly developed, and then grad
uallv be brought into competition with
older Industries in the markets of tn.
world Under favorable conditions Of rccip-
rOCaI trade. Secretary elaine i not a
Free Trader because he strongly fayOrs an
extension Of the Nations foreign trade.
He is a Protectioni>t Of the oldest and best
school, and is following out to the logical
results the teachings Of Alexander Hamil-
ton, Henry lay and Horace Greeley
The attempts Of Free Traders 10 mis-
represent the Sccre.ary's position and
views have been equally desperate and
fantastic. The same tactics were employ
ed against Mr.. Clay in his day. and were
unsuccessful because intelligent Ameri-
cans could not be convinced that he was
anything but a sincere and consistent, al
belt progressive, / totectioui~t. our friends
the enemy have been striving with equal
fatulty To brand Mr. Blaine a. a Free
Trader who was a>-alling the protective
system and undermining tariff legislation.
Even when he was silent Americans could
not be- Cony need that tile ablest Protec-
tiApfSt Sinr,. t'lay opl t,rn.l.4v ut hoo
a Free Trader and now that he has spoken
in the Maine canvass there can be no eX-
cu-e for illusions, mcndacity and dcCep-
tion. Nj Blaine favoGS commercial re-
ciproCity ami the expansion OF foreign
trade, not because Protection has proved
a failure, but rather because it has oesu
shown To- be overwhelmingly successful.
\ volume Of manufactures has been de-
yclopcd which now ovrEunS the demands
Of tile home market. Mr.. Blaine per-
ceives the necessity Of opening foreign
markets for industries which are oyerprO-
ductiye. llr j. not willing To restrict the
triumph> Of protection 70 the home mark
et. He does not consider il AN ambitions
destiny for % great a country a. ours to
manufacture only what We can consume
or 10 produce only what We can eat" He
advocates expansion OF trade with Coun-
tries where profitable exchanges can be
obtained is the logical result Of thirty
years Of successful Protection
1t Is fursuuare that Mr. Blaine in hi~
Watervilc speech i explicit in defining
his position. His frankncsS and luciiity
will facilitate Il rcadju~tment Of certain
features Of the Tarif bill, which are not
essential 20 the protective system, but
rather relate to the Nations revenue re-
sources. Reciprocity a. he presents it is
net policy III conflict with protective
system. but supplementary thereto. 1t is
not principle involving logically free
trade in suspended development, but
policy of circumstances and commOn-sense
facilitating the progress Of protected in
dustries and the opening of new markets
for surplus manufactures and produce.
Secretary Blaine appeals to the enlighten-
ed sefluterest and to the patriotic in
stincts of Americans by unfolding
scheme Of broad and comprehensive pro-
lection of National industries.-N \.
Tribune.