Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-11-21
truth AT LAST.

The Washington correspondent of the
Baltimore Mirror, an old-time free trade
and Democrat organ of Maryland, puts
before its readers some solid Protection
truths TO ponder over 4:
If the Democrats go too far on free
trade - they will have perilous cam
paign for the Presidential succession.
Our " reform papers are sneering at
the American protection of tin plate, as a
condition precedent to its establishment
permanently in this country. Let us see
how England built up her industry. Mr..
Jacob Reese tells the story thus Many
persons think that England was always a
free-traGe country, but from 1887 10 1919
tina British tariff on tin was GO lbs. per
100 pounds weight, and on tin manufac-
lures e27 los per el00 value. From
1919 to 1894 the tariff was Tin per 100
pounds 60 9s. 3d.. manufactures of tin
$50. In 1884 the tariff was again changed
10 tin GO los. per 100 pounds and tin
manufactures eco per el00."
We thus find that the British govern
ment protected her tin and tin-plate
trade from the consolidation of Pitt in
the days of George III down to the day s
of Queen Victoria. They continued to
protect it until the works were fully
established and the workmen educated to
produce the tin pla:e economically. And
that is all that is required in this coun-
try, the present protection, until we get
our tin mines opened, the smelter and
tin-plate works thoroughly established,
the workmen educated SO as to produce
the goods at low costs.
Mr. Gladstone is on record also in show
ing how England built up her manufac
lures by projection. before resorting to
free trade or what is called so. He SAID:
up to very recent period Great Brit
ain has held her own as the absolute
mistress of the world in the iron and
steel trade. But last year the pre-emi-
nence was lost. The United States, which
has adopted what some are pleased to call
the retrograde' policy, after having, for
a time. sought light from the contrary
direction, has for many years, now re-
verted to the old system by which we
ourselves raised the great industries l
have referred to, with the result that last
year the products of American iron and
steel exceeds ours, and when for the first
time in these, our own natural callings,
we are second in the race. Nor do the
most sanguine anticipate we are likely to
regain our position, the general opinion
being that the United States, having once
won the blue ribbon, is pretty sure of
keeping it. Need we for moment in
quire whether such result would have
followed had enterprise and industry not
been directed by American legislation in
TO that channel ?"
1t will interest Catholics to hear from
Cardinal Manning on this subject. He
wrote an article for the December num-
Der of the N4Seteeath Century, a maya
zine of London, and, in speaking of free
trade, said that free trade did two
things: 1t creates irresponsible wealth,
and the starvation wages of the labor
market. Then he used these remarkable
words: Here in England we have al
WAYS before us the world of wealth and
the world of want. The world of wealth
saying in its heart, I set as queen over
all tailors and traders and the world of
want not knowing what may be on the
morrow" There are strikes running
through every industry and agriculture,
and the lands have gone out of cultiva-
ton" Then exclaimed this great Chris
tian teacher: " Is there blight upon
our wealth ~
So, when Mr.. Mckinley pleads with
his countrymen to at least give his bill
and Mr., Blaine s reciprocity u fair trial so
that manufactures aud commerce under
them could be established, he makes, AS
3lr. Dana suggests, a reasonable request.
1t will hardly be regarded. There will
be efforts to undo every thing. This is
the curse of our tariff legislation in po-
litical contest. Nothing has unthreaten
ed existence, and nothing is more timid
than capital when venturing experiment
ally in novel methods. If a majority of
the American people, in 1892. are for rip
ping up protective legislation, the Demo
crazy will win otherwise not.