The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-03-12
THE SHADOW OF FREE TRADE.

To the Editer Of the Eagle:
1t will prove fortunate for voters who
may for the moment be tempted by the
dazzling and buldozing pictures held out
by the bosses of the southern states and
free trade crusaders of the north, if
before casting a ballot for the vaunted
panacea of tariff reform, a little search
be made for the inspiration of that in
terest in the general veal of this great
North America and the west, just now
SO prominent. 1t Will prove equally
beneficial if some attention is also given
to the results of the revenue only"
policy as found in the nation most active
in the effort to force Its views upon this
country.
A little scrutiny in this direction will
develop the fact that what is really
sought is to have voters so cast and legis-
lation SO farmed as to discourage the
further growth of industries in this great
North America, and give over to foreign
labors (now but partially employedD
large share, if not all, the manufactur-
ing employment for labor and capital in
the United States.
A glance along the line of march of
free trade crusaders soon finds it reach
ing steamship pier and thence to Great
Britain. In England, where sits the
Golden club as.commander-in-ch of
the forces assailing the policy of protec-
ton for any country accept Great Bri-
tain.
And it is necessary to look beyond the
shadow of this presiding genius of free
trade for the results of the policy it so
persistently champions. There the area
devoted to farming is steadily diminish
ing under the necessity of competing
with breadstuffs grown abroad. There
the effort to keep the price of manufac-
tured products low enough to under-sell
other nations in their own markets has
crowded wages to level that compels
wives and children to join in the battle
for bread to keep life and soul together,
while the unsolved problem of providing
for the army of the unemployed is press
ing upon parliament with daily augu-
intensity for bread.
Such are the practical fruits of the
policy championed by the Golden club
and urged oy the southern Democrats
and sympathizers of the north for adop-
ton by the United States since the year
1912.
Remove the existing tariff on wheat
and India would pour her grain into
New York, Philadelphia and San Fran
cisco and other seaports by ship loads
after ship loads. al prices far below the
cost of production here in this great ma
ton of ours at prices paid our laborers
here on farms.
Remove the tariff from any con-
siderable number OF our wide range
OF manufacturers and foreign competit-
ors would take our market off this
country. or compel the cost of produc-
ton in our own country TO come down
to compete with low wages of England.
And these facts voters cannot afford 10
learn in the dear school of experience by
being led off by southern brigadiers.
If the government goes into the loan
business at all it must open its vaults
and offerings to the whole people, one
class cannot be given privileges from
which others are excluded. If money is |
to be lent to the farmers at cheap rate
Of interest, it must also be lent to the |
manufacturers, mechanics, |
iny other class of citizens who apply for |
It at the same rate.
A government for the people cannot J
make flesh of one and fish of another. |
Farmers, though a good class of citizens, |
nave no stronger claim upon the govern
nent than any other class, and are en-
titled 20 no better treatment. /
There are many sorts OF Sc
2urity that are as good rs farm /
ands, and the government could not /
1ghtfully discriminate IN favor of one
'ort as against all others. The question
5, then, NOT whether the government
hall lend money TO the farmers, but
whether it shall lend money to rs citi-
lens generally.
Let us see Is the national govern
nent rich enough 10 60 into the loan
business: 1t owes a good many more /
hundred millions of dollars more than is
las II its vaults, and the best govern
nent on earth-ali nations have given
ms ND long ago. This debt viii have 10
e paid of largely with taxes collected
rom the people. Has the government
ne night 10 tax the whole people heavily
n order to raise fund 70 supply loans
o portion OF thems II the fund is not
alsed By taxation. how is 1t to be raised |.