The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-21
REc1rEoclrr n NOE rHEs TRADE.

The communication ssnt BY President
Harrison to congress on the teth instant,
together with The letter from Secretary
Blaine< Herewith enclosed. relating 70 .
customs union with the Latin American
nations. are worthy Of more than passing
NOTES. They make clear . subject In rsla-
ton TO which very confused notions pre-
vail In the public mind to . large extent,
which misapprshension h mainly due to
persistent Misrepresentation by artful DEM
agoguss. whose sophistries are well caicu-
lated TO mislead those who are uniformed
In tho rules Of logic.
Nothing cmanating from Democratic
sources OF late has been more common
than the claim. urged in season aud out Of
season. with oil imaginable variations OF
cunning persistence. that the proposition
10 establish customs union. or in other
words reciprocity. between our country
and the Latin American nations. is q com.
piets surrender Of the protective policy,
and virtual recognition of the wisdom OF
the free trade dogma. The communica-
lions OF the President and Secretary en-
phasise the ahsurdity Of this contention.
and demonstrate that . questionable ten
dency in the direction OF free trade In the
tariff legislation Of the past now consti-
tntes the most serious obstacle 10 a re-
ciprocity treaty that would be vastly
advantageous to our country.
Free trade. broadly considered, would
place our country at the mercy OF all Others
With whom we hare commercial relations.
II would admit. free of duty. in many
instances At the cost OF ruinous competition
with our own products. industries aud
labor. the commodities Of all other
countries. regardless of the question whether
those countries do or do not display like
liberal spirit toward our commodities
destined for their ports. No matter that
some countries might abstain from all
restrictions. either on their commodities
destined for our markets or on ours
destined for theirs. while other countries
should impose an export duty In the one
eAss and an import duty in the other. free
trade would treat them oil Alike.
In other words. there Is q free trade
which is also fair trade, sach as prevails
between the states Of our union. and such
- would result from an honestly and
intslligvnssy adjusted reciprocity treaty;
while Democrats free trade would be
unfair trade. making this country the
victim Of selfish and illiberM policies
abroad. II would admit free Of duty
foreign commodities harthened with an
export duty. and would send in exchange
our commodities free from home imposi-
ton subject 10 heavy tariff In the country
at It's destination There - rs much logic
In claiming that the protective system
shcaid Be extended TO the commercial
intercourse between the states, as there Is
in the claim that IL - in any degree sacri-
feed. or IN any measure inconsissently
treated by being made the means OF PRO-
notsns home interests aid the commerce
of the country when used As an agent in
negotiating mutually beneficial reciprocity
treaty.
Abiding 10 the question OF opening our
markets 10 the tree introduction al sugar
from the Latin American nations. and 10
the alleged opposition OF Western farmers
10 that measure. Mr.. Rsains calls The at
sensson Of these farmers 70 the fact that hy
this and tew similar concessions they